Student appointments

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential, short-term, psychological counselling to currently enrolled domestic and international students and staff located in Australia. We are committed to providing quick access to support for those in need. Students located offshore can explore support on studying remotely.

Appointments

Explore other services

  • Wellbeing workshops and webinars

    CAPS offers free workshops and group programs for personal development, mental health and wellbeing issues each semester.

  • Group counselling

    Our group programs provide a supportive and managed environment for students to connect with each other, explore the challenges they face and to discuss strategies and practices.

  • Self-help resources

    Resources and exercises for a range of issues, including mental health, study, relationships, addictive behaviours, trauma, and life transitions.

  • Mental health crisis and emergency support

    Access urgent mental health support (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), including the University's dedicated Mental Health Crisis Support Service, other crisis helplines and emergency services.

Short-term counselling

CAPS offers in person and online counselling appointments.

Getting support at CAPS begins with an initial appointment. Initial appointments can be booked on the day, or for the next day. During peak times in semester, demand for initial appointments may increase.

If you cannot find an appointment, contact us during opening hours. We can arrange for a counsellor to provide a brief triage phone call to discuss support options. You can also check out what you can do while you are waiting, or if you need urgent support.

All appointments are up to 50 minutes. For your initial appointment, you'll be asked to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to complete questionnaires about your health and wellbeing.

If you have any accessibility needs or questions, including if you require interpreting services, we encourage you to Contact us so these services can be arranged in advance.

If you feel more comfortable speaking with a male or female counsellor, or have particular preferences of counsellor, see our staff page for more details. We will endeavour to place you with someone of your choice, although this may not always be possible.

Learn more about what to expect from short-term counselling, including your privacy and confidentiality.

A counsellor making notes while talking with a client

Requests for documentation, including HPRs

Students may seek documentation, such as a Health Professional Report (HPR) or support letter, for special consideration, ongoing support through Student Equity and Disability Services (SEDS), subject withdrawal, fee remission, or other university processes.

CAPS cannot provide documentation in all cases. This includes situations where the request is outside the scope of our service, or the types of documentation we can provide.

To complete documentation, we need a clear and recent understanding of your situation. If you have not seen CAPS before, or have not had recent or regular appointments, it is unlikely we can provide documentation.

In most cases, documentation is strongest when it comes from a health professional who already knows you and your circumstances, such as your GP (doctor), psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or counsellor.

Before booking an appointment mainly to request documentation, please check the University's assessment adjustments information. Some options may not require supporting documents. For example, eligible three-calendar-day short extensions do not need supporting documents if you apply by the due date.

You can also read our information about requests for documentation, and the University's guidance on special consideration and ongoing support through SEDS.

You are still welcome to book an appointment to discuss personal or mental health concerns affecting your study, wellbeing, or day-to-day life. A counsellor can talk with you about support options, even if CAPS is not able to provide the documentation you are seeking.

Specific services

  • Moving from another country to study in Australia can be an enriching experience and also bring challenges to wellbeing. This can include stress that comes with culture change, or feelings of loneliness when leaving behind your usual support network such as family and friends.

    Our counsellors come from a range of cultural backgrounds and are experienced in working respectfully and collaboratively with people from different cultures. We are committed to being culturally responsive and acknowledge intersectional factors that impact on wellbeing and mental health. We also have dedicated International Student Counsellors, Yuyang Liu and Effie Chen. You can learn more about our counsellors.

    Appointments are booked online or by phone. If you would like to see a specific counsellor, you can request this.

  • At the University, we value and celebrate the richness diversity brings to our community. We are committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment free from discrimination, harassment, vilification, or victimisation based on sex, sexuality, or gender identity.

    Our counsellors are welcoming and supportive of people of all backgrounds, and many counsellors have a particular interest in supporting students of diverse sexuality and gender identity. We also have have a dedicated LGBTIQA+ counsellor, Jean Popomilkov. You can read more about our counsellors.

    Appointments are booked online or by phone. If you would like to see a specific counsellor, you can request this.

    Learn more about LGBTIQA+ counselling and support

More information

University staff can access counselling appointments and a range of resources via our services for staff page.