Goal 2:
Zero Hunger
Students Hunger Intervention
The University of Newcastle, through the University of Newcastle Students' Association (UNSA), provides targeted interventions to help prevent and alleviate student hunger.
For many students, balancing the demands of full-time or part-time work alongside academic responsibilities can be overwhelming. When financial pressures mount, maintaining a consistent and nutritious diet often becomes difficult, and some students may struggle to keep their fridge and pantry adequately stocked.
To address the increasing issue of food insecurity within the student community in 2024, the UNSA Pantry offered a range of food initiatives that improved access to essential groceries and meals. These services are designed to ensure that all students—regardless of their financial situation—have access to the nourishment they need to support their health, wellbeing, and academic success.
UNSA's Free Food Friday
UNSA's “Free Food Friday” services provides students with free groceries each Friday morning during regular semester weeks. Food donations are delivered each week from Oz Harvest which is then sorted, packed, and quality-assured by our frontline UNSA Crew. This service is currently only available at our Callaghan UNSA Building. Please arrive by 8:45am to receive a numbered ticket. Tickets will be drawn at random from 9:00am. This service is only available to current students at the University of Newcastle. Student identification will be required upon entry.
Grocery Hub
We know that some weeks are better than others when it comes to finances, especially when you're supporting yourself through university. UNSA's Grocery Hub service is a backup supply of long-life pantry items, available for students to collect for free when they're experiencing financial hardship.
Please note the following information:
- Online bookings now required for Callaghan Campus.
- All other locations offer walk-in service only.
- Maximum one (1) booking per student, per week.
- Callaghan: Only available on Tuesday & Thursday (10am – 1pm).
- Students may only request one booking at a time.
- This is an emergency resource for students facing hardship. Students making frequent/excessive bookings of this service will instead be referred to alternate support services.
- Please consider whether you really need this service. UNSA's Grocery Hub is entirely dependent on generous donations from university staff and community. UNSA staff cannot guarantee adequate supply levels at the time of your visit.
Looking to help?
UNSA's Grocery Hub is entirely dependent on food donations from university staff, students, and the wider community. If you're in a position to donate food, we'd love to get you involved! You can help by popping in an extra item or two into your weekly shopping and bringing it along to your closest UNSA Grocery Hub (Callaghan, Ourimbah, or NUspace City Campus Library).
Acceptable Food Donations
- Pasta or Rice
- Tinned Vegetables or Fruits
- Breakfast Cereals
- Long-Life Milk
- Lunchbox Snacks
- Canned or Packaged Soups
- Nuts, Seeds, or Dehydrated Fruits
- Coffee or Tea
- Pasta Sauces
- Cooking Oils
- Chocolates and Confectionary
- Soaps & Shampoos
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Spreads & Jams
- Noodles, Ramen, etc.
Where else can I get help?
See what help is available to you both at the University of Newcastle and out in the community.
Help at the University
UNSA provides various support, services and activities for students.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, check out UNSA’s Free Food Fridays, free lunches, Brekky Bar and Food Pantry. You can find the latest dates and locations here -
Scholarships are awarded to many different kinds of students for a range of purposes. They aren’t just considered based on your academic performance. Perhaps you contribute to the community through sport or music. Maybe you’re from a remote town or have financial difficulties.
Visit our Scholarships Page to find out what’s available and whether you may be eligible.
The University of Newcastle Legal Centre (UNLC) is the centerpiece of the Newcastle Law School’s clinical program. UNLC offers a range of services to the public, including free legal advice and assistance, representation, law clinics and community education seminars. All of the services are overseen by our in-house lawyers and delivered together with law students.
Advice and assistance are provided to clients of the University of Newcastle Tax Clinic by students from the Business School and Law School, under the supervision of experienced tax practitioners and academic staff.
The Tax Clinic is reserved for those that have experienced financial hardship, have a low income and cannot afford to appoint a tax agent to represent them in their tax affairs. Your eligibility will be established at your first appointment.
To request an appointment, contact the clinic:
- Email: taxclinic@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone: +61 2 4921 5030
For information about living on campus, visit our Student Living webpage: Student Living / The University of Newcastle
See Accommodation under Financial Tips for more helpful resources.
If you’re looking for work that you can manage around your studies:
- Contact the Careers Service for help with finding a job, and tips on the application process and preparing for interviews.
- Look at CareerHub for current job listings.
See Work under Financial Tips for more information and resources.
If you don’t have access to a computer at home, the University provides a huge range of IT facilities, including desktop and laptop computers. These are located in dedicated computer labs, libraries and student hubs. You can also access printing, scanning and photocopying facilities.
See here for details of locations and opening hours: IT Facilities - Current Students - The University of Newcastle.
Find out about discounts for computer hardware and free and discounted software available to students.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.