Financial Wellbeing

We understand that financial wellbeing significantly influences student life. Every day we make choices with our money. Each of these decisions, small and large, impact our lives, and these decisions also impact what we call financial wellbeing.

What is financial wellbeing?

Financial wellbeing shapes a student's ability to access resources, afford necessities, and make choices that impact their educational journey. Struggling with finances might compromise academic pursuits or create additional stress, affecting both studies and personal life.

Why is it important?

We recognize the current cost of living pressures and the importance of supporting students in achieving financial security. By providing resources and guidance, we aim to empower students to navigate their academic journey with confidence and focus on their goals.

Financial literacy
Student Care
Finding work
Services in South Australia

Being Well, Living Well

Did you know that the Student Health and Wellbeing team run an online course 'Being well, Living Well'?

Being Well, Living Well is a self-paced, MyUni course designed to support your wellbeing at uni. It contains evidence based, easy to read resources, activities to work through and covers a range of topics including financial wellbeing.

You can enrol at any time during your study and complete modules that work for you.

Enrol here

External financial literacy resources

ReachOut Australia can teach you more about financial stress and its impact on your health.
Learn practical tips with Medibank on how to access resources and discover support services available if you experience financial difficulties, especially as an international student.
The Young Person Hub includes free online courses and resources covering a range of personal finance topics, including goal setting, saving, budgeting, taxation, superannuation and investing.
MoneySmart is a website developed by the Federal Government, that offers free advice and information to help Australians improve their financial literary. Discover the steps involved in setting up a budget and how to manage your money on a low income.
MoneyMinded is a free, flexible education program for adults seeking to build their money management skills, knowledge and confidence.
Beyond Blue offers further insight into financial wellbeing and its impact on mental health.

Student Care offers independent information, advocacy, support and referral across a range of academic, administrative and welfare issues to all students enrolled at the University of Adelaide. This includes financial assistance and referrals.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is a service that was developed by Student Care in 2014 following student feedback. Students identified health, welfare and food provision as high priorities and Student Care responded by developing the Breakfast Club initiative. Breakfast Club is currently offered 4 days a week during academic term.

The aim of Breakfast Club is to support students with success in their studies by providing a nutritious breakfast so that they are not skipping this important meal or missing out on breakfast due to low income.

Location TBA in 2024

Material assistance

Should you need material assistance in the form of food support, emergency financial assistance to cover unexpected but necessary expenses related to e.g. transport, medications or housing assistance you can speak with Student Care regarding assistance to resources that may be able to alleviate an unexpected financial hardship.

Centrelink

Student Care can provides information and assistance for students accessing and navigating Centrelink payments.

If you are a new customer, you will find information on how to claim through the following link.

Student Care staff have experience in understanding Centrelink and can assist you with advice, referrals, and payment options available through Centrelink for domestic students only. This includes:

Youth Allowance
Austudy
ABSTUDY

Find out more

Housing support

Student Care can recommend students for the University’s Subsidised Student Accommodation (SSA). To be considered for SSA students must demonstrate financial need, be the first time moving away-from-home or be from rural or interstate regions, and generally be an undergraduate.

The SSA program can provide students a short-term temporary lease as an opportunity to ‘find their feet’ in Adelaide whist they transition into University life, before moving on to other options. A thorough assessment of personal and financial circumstances will be made as part of the application process. All applications are reviewed and recommended by a panel and availability of properties is limited.

Make an appointment with Student Care

Part-time work

Part-time employment can be a great way to balance work with study and contribute positively to your financial wellbeing. Most students do some amount of part-time work while studying to assist with living expenses, meet new people and gain experience in a workplace.

There are many places where you can look for work in Adelaide:

CareerHub is free for University of Adelaide students. On this platform you will find jobs and internship opportunities, resources and guides, events and workshops and more. Access with your Student ID until 12 months post-graduation.
YouX Student Employment equips you with the skills to find and apply for casual or part-time paid work opportunities. This is free and available to all students studying at the University of Adelaide.
Dedicated job search websites:
- Job Shop
- Seek
- Indeed
- LinkedIn
StudyAdelaide offers a range of resources to support students in Adelaide who are searching for a job.

The following links are available within the Adelaide CBD:

The following websites list a range of services:

Please see this list of external links to assist you, especially if you are an international student. Explore here for additional services available to help you.

The Student Health and Wellbeing team provide a range of free health products for all University of Adelaide students.