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Facilities and Services

The University of Newcastle offers students some of the best facilities and services in the country.

Accommodation

We operate the largest single site accommodation complex of any university in Australia. There are close to 1,000 students living on the Callaghan campus in three traditional halls of residence and one new motel style complex. Students also have access to a comprehensive accommodation service including an online accommodation database to make finding suitable housing easier. Additionally, the University provides a homestay service in Newcastle.

Careers and Student Employment Office

Career officers provide advice on undergraduate and graduate employment opportunities. The Careers and Student Employment Office at the Callaghan campus and the Student Support Unit at the Ourimbah campus offer access to company literature, videos and application forms, newspapers, professional institutions/associations lists, overseas employment/study information, undergraduate and graduate program directories, part-time employment lists, graduate vacancies and a range of other careers-related materials.

Counselling Service

The University Counselling Service is available to both students and staff, free of charge, on a confidential basis. It is staffed by psychologists and social workers whose function is to assist in clarifying and resolving a range of issues that might otherwise interfere with a student's academic or personal effectiveness.

The Chaplaincy Centre is also available to all students and is staffed by chaplains who are friendly and approachable. They are there to discuss anything of a spiritual, religious, ethical or personal nature and they also run regular discussion groups.

Disability Support

The Disability and Student Support Unit offers help in the form of note-taking, readers, library assistance, advocacy, FM systems, audio loops, sign interpreters, transcription services, back supports and ergonomic chairs. Exam and assessment assistance is also readily available.

Learning Support

The Learning Skills Unit offers courses in essay writing skills, time management, reading and note-taking, public speaking, critical analysis, statistics and mathematics. However, if you have a particular problem with some aspect of your learning, then staff are only too happy to put together a program to try and help you overcome it.

Our Adaptive Technology Centre provides a translation service for course notes, texts and research material, assistance to retrieve and access library resources and a photocopying service for anyone who is unable to do their own. Our staff are also happy to provide training and support in the use of the latest equipment and adaptive software housed in the centre, such as closed circuit television, voice activated and screen enlargement software, screen readers and braille embosser.

Libraries

The University libraries house a collection of more than 1,000,000 volumes of books, journals, microfilms, audio-visual materials and CD-Rom installations.

Services

We offer a variety of eating places, bars, shops, banks, a hairdresser, medical and dental services, sporting clubs, social clubs, regular markets, festivals, lunchtime music provided by local and interstate bands, dances and balls.

Ourimbah Services

The Ourimbah campus has an independent student association from those located at Callaghan, we provide under the one umbrella all the services that the three student associations (UNU, NuSport, NUSA) at Callaghan provide.

Sporting Facilities

We enjoy fantastic sporting facilities. The Forum sports complex houses a state of the art 50m indoor heated pool, a 18m climbing wall (the second highest in Australia), a fully equipped gymnasium, two martial arts/aerobics studios and two competition indoor courts for sports such as basketball and volleyball. We also have a squash and tennis complex and of course there are a number of ovals.

Student Support Services

The University's Student Support Services provides international students with a range of welfare and support services, and ensures that you will have access to the services and information that will make your stay in Newcastle a rich and academically rewarding experience.

Student Support offers expert advice and service in reception and orientation; temporary accommodation and excursions; welfare; financial assistance; Homestay; the International Care Program; and disability support.

University Health Service

The University's excellent medical service at the Callaghan campus specialises in student health needs. The health service provides medical care to students and the compulsory overseas student health cover meets the full cost of most consultations. All consultations are confidential and students are encouraged to seek advice about any health matter. If necessary, students may be referred to a specialist, hospital or community care. Students may also seek the services of a private doctor or a specialist outside the University, for which additional payment may be required. The Student Support Unit at the Ourimbah campus offers a referral service to all students seeking medical attention.