Services and Advocacy
PARSA provides a range of services aimed at providing support for the specific needs of postgraduate students in relation to both their studies and daily life. These services include face-to-face advice with legal and study challenges, as well as access to a one-off Emergency Loan Scheme. The Postgrad Survival Guide is also a fantastic resource for all sorts of study and non-study related information.
There is also a huge range of support services available to you on the ANU website which are there to make your experience at the ANU a little easier.
It's not often in life we have such an abundance of support and resources at our finger tips, so why not use them.
Emergency Loan Scheme
A University loans scheme is available through Service One Members Banking for postgraduate students experiencing financial difficulties. The scheme is administered by a small committee comprising 2 members of the University and a postgraduate student representative.
The prime purpose of the loans scheme is to provide one-off assistance to postgraduate students in financial difficulties so that they can proceed with their course of study. Loan recipients would normally be full-time students.
The Committee has considered requests for loans for a range of purposes, including: bridging loans for new students or to cover lump-sum bills; some academic expenses and unexpected costs which may affect progress with studies.
While the Committee is concerned to assist those students who have needs, the available funds are limited, which means it is not possible to meet every request. The Committee has the discretion to determine whether or not a loan should be made and also to determine the amount of each loan.
Students wishing to apply for a loan through the Scheme must contact Diane Hutchens at the PARSA Office on Ext.5 4187 or via email.
Completed application forms must be returned to the PARSA Office. .
Download all forms to apply:
Legal Assistance
PARSA employs an experienced solicitor, Don Malcomson, who provides FREE legal assistance to ANU students. Don has experience advising on a wide range of issues such as landlord and tenancy disputes and migration issues. He is also able to refer you to other free legal providers, if required.
Appointments
Don is located at the ANU Students' Association Office, Building #17A, Student Facilities, (map EF32), which is above the Commonwealth Bank and Service One Members Banking in Union Court.
Please phone (6125 2444) to make an appointment or, you can take a chance and visit during consultation hours (see below). Please bring any documentation/paperwork related to your concern to your apoointment with Don.
Availability
Monday: 9am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9am -12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 9am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm
Student Consultant
PARSA is run by students for students at ANU and Sean Perera, our Student Advocate, is happy to provide students with advice and support with the many numerous challenges postgraduates are confronted with.
Be it from harassment or difficulties with supervision to examinations or communicating with the local area graduate convenor, PARSA is willing to provide you with support that would enable you to derive maximum benefits from your postgraduate studentship here at ANU. Each student case is unique and each one treated with equal priority and strict confidentiality. Also PARSA’s student advocacy is free of charge.
So if you feel like you are having problems in your work area, your supervisory panel, or just feel that your studies aren’t going as you would like, send an e-mail, call 61252603 or even schedule to meet with Sean between 12 noon and 5pm, Mondays and Fridays. PARSA is happy to be of help to you.