Welfare & Wellbeing Resources

TIPS, TRICKS & SUPPORT

We're here to help you get the skills to feel confident and independent while you navigate student life.

And whether you’re new to uni life or you’d like to scrub up on your current skills, we’ve got plenty of tips, tricks & life hacks to keep you happy and healthy.

From quick and easy recipes to self-care strategies, explore our collection of resources below!

Self-Care Strategies Guide

Enhance your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Having a self-care strategy in place will help to alleviate stress and enable you to be more resilient in challenging times.

No Fuss Feeds

We’ve got the life hack recipes for you! Filled with recipes by you, for you from the School of Dietetics, our digital cookbooks teach you easy, quick, cheap and most importantly tasty meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Tips to Slash Your Grocery Bill

Your food bill is the largest bill outside of fixed expenses and is therefore a great place to start to reduce your spending. From buying generic brands to shopping with cash, here are some tips to help.

Everyday Mindfulness Exercises

This booklet is full of mindfulness exercises and information that you can use in your everyday life. Each exercise has a beginner and an intermediate exercise level accompanied by an easy-to-follow example. Simply practise each beginner exercise before moving on to the intermediate version.

Outdoor Mindfulness Exercises

As a way of connecting with your surroundings outside and disconnecting from the feeling of being cooped up inside or glued to a screen, try these easy and relaxing exercises you can do in your backyard (or in the Great Court).

Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health

Social media gives us the opportunity for connection and interaction, however it can also have a detrimental impact on our mental health and happiness. We discuss the pros and cons and provide suggestions on how to interact with it healthily.

International Students Handbook

All the things you would want to know to find your feet at UQ, as well as some useful information about living in beautiful Brisbane! Public transport, grocery stores, part time work, going to the doctor and more.

What Does LGBTQIA+ Mean?

You may have seen the term LGBTQIA+ around the web and here at UQU, but what does it mean? Knowing and understanding what each of the letters of the LGBTQIA+ mean can be tricky, and depending on the culture and country, LGBTQIA+ may have different letters and meanings. For example, in Australia you may see BB and SG for Brother Boys and Sister Girls in our Indigenous communities. This guide defines key terms used in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Job prep resources

Working in Australia

Learn what you’ll need to prepare before applying for jobs, and other tips crucial for international students seeking employment Down Under.

Writing a Resume

Using the template provided, you can create a resume to reflect your own unique set of skills. A resume is a concise document that outlines your education, skills, experience, achievements, and interests to a potential employer. Learn how to write a stellar resume with our tips.

Writing a Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter can help to increase your chances of being given an interview and ultimately getting the job! A cover letter is your first point of contact with an employer, and is your chance to sell yourself as the best applicant: so use the opportunity to make yourself stand out above the rest. Learn how to write a stellar cover letter with our tips.

Interview Skills

An interview is designed to give the employer an opportunity to assess your working capacities, skills, knowledge, and personality in person. The interview performance will be the deciding factor for selecting the most successful applicant. Learn the different types of interviews, how to get one, and how to prepare. SAS can even do a mock interview with you!

Community support resources

Black Dog Institute

The Black Dog Institute provides a customisable self help tool (myCompass) that is free and mobile phone/computer-based, available to assist those with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress. It includes a “health toolkit” and interactive activities to conduct in your own time over several weeks.

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is a national organisation that has a range of information and resources associated with depression and anxiety. Useful resources and further information about beyondblue programmes are available on its website or by contacting its Support Service on 1300 22 4636. Running 24/7, all calls are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional, and are completely confidential. There are also online forums to discuss matters with other people like you going through similar experiences.

Kids Help Line

A number of children and youth may need accessible emotional support. Kids Help Line is a free and confidential telephone and webchat counselling service for 5 to 25 year olds. There is also a range of games and activities, informative articles and social platforms and group chats to engage with online.

Lifeline Australia

Lifeline Australia provides a free, confidential and anonymous, 24/7 telephone counselling service for adults needing emotional support. Lifeline also has a range of information and resources available on their website regarding providing care for your friends and family in times of crisis.

QLife

QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTQIA+ people. The project provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer-supported telephone and web-based services to diverse people of all ages experiencing poor mental health, psychological distress, social isolation, discrimination, experiences of being misgendered and/or other social determinants that impact on their health and wellbeing.

Sexual health resources

At UQ Union, we believe it’s important that you have access to information, resources and services that put you in control of your sexual health.

RAPID testing for students

Rapid.org.au has partnered with SAS to provide free testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

Pain free. Confidential. No needles. Same day results. Bookings not required. Find us:

St Lucia – UQU Reception (Level 4, Building 21A) every Thursday from 9am-3:00pm.
Gatton – UQU SAS, Morrison Hall (Room 233), select Mondays – view schedule below.

Getting further advice and support

In Australia, all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, religion, sexuality, marital status or Visa status have a right to access confidential sexual and reproductive health care. Sometimes speaking about this stuff can be uncomfortable, embarrassing or scary: and this is normal. But remember, these services are here to help you stay happy and healthy.

Below are local services and useful websites with information in different languages about sexual health.

UQ Health Care St. Lucia and Gatton
Queensland Health Sexual Health Clinics
True – Relationships and reproductive health (Queensland’s Family Planning Association)
You may also feel comfortable speaking to your usual doctor or use this Service Locator to find a service near you.

Resources in your language

Important phone numbers

Student Advocacy & Support (SAS)

Having difficulties at home or university? We’re here to support you with life’s pressures.

Our SAS team can help with matters regarding stress and mental wellbeing, Centrelink, Visa, job hunting and other pressures that can impact on you while studying.

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