Bushfire information

15/01/2020

Update: Bushfire relief for students

Grants are open to students of Charles Darwin University who have experienced property loss or financial hardship as a result of bushfires.

If you need financial support to commence or continue your study with CDU, please apply here.

Access the CDU bushfire grant application

09/01/2020

Charles Darwin University is responding to the devastating bushfires sweeping across large parts of Australia.

Due to the unprecedented scale of the current emergency, the University has pledged special leave provisions for staff who are CFS volunteers, and for those whose property or families have been directly impacted.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said that the University would do all that it could to support students, prospective students and staff facing these difficult circumstances.

“My thoughts are with all of those affected and those still under threat from the current bushfire emergency. I am committed to supporting staff and students appropriately and compassionately as we join efforts to respond to and recover from a disaster of this scale.

While we might not be able to minimise, the damage happening across the southern states right now, we will work hard to minimise the impact it has on our staff’s working lives and our students’ academic goals.”

Staff whose property or families have been directly impacted by the bushfires may access special provisions for compassionate leave during this period, up to four weeks, at the discretion of their Dean or Director.

Staff who are directly involved in volunteer firefighting with the CFS may also access special provisions for volunteer leave, again up to four weeks, at the discretion of their Dean or Director.

All staff have access to CDU’s Employee Assistance Program – confidential sessions with independent, qualified psychologists, free of charge. 

T: 1800 692 378 (ASSURE Employee Assistance Program) or access information.

Students can also access personal support and flexible arrangements to help them at this time.

For help relating to admissions or enrolments, please refer students to Student Central:

E: student.central@cdu.edu.au
T: 1800 061 963

book an appointment

For extensions or alternate arrangements for assessments, students can contact their unit coordinator, as usual, noting that special consideration will be given to those impacted by the fires.

For personal support, students can access a free, confidential appointment with our qualified counsellors:

T: (08) 8946 6288 for in-person or telephone appointments with staff in Sydney or Darwin.  

T: 1300 933 393 after hours: 4.30pm – 8am, 7 days per week or access our counselling services.