Student Wellbeing and Safety Procedure

1. The purpose of our procedure

This procedure sets out the processes that support Adelaide University’s commitment to student wellbeing and safety.

It explains how the University:

• fosters a safe, respectful and inclusive environment
• provides students with information about how they can maintain their wellbeing and safety and steps they can take if their wellbeing or safety is impacted.

Please read this procedure in conjunction with the Student Wellbeing and Safety Policy.

2. Who our procedure applies to

This procedure applies to all Adelaide University students.

3. Our student wellbeing and safety procedure

Adelaide University supports student wellbeing and safety by:

• taking reasonable steps to ensure a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for students across all study locations, including online, on campus, and overseas
• identifying the support needs of specific student cohorts and implementing effective risk mitigation and management strategies
• providing students with clear information about services that support their wellbeing, including counselling, academic support, and transition programs
• contacting commencing students with information about:
  • campus safety  
  • how to report wellbeing or safety concerns, including to external services
  • how to seek support for personal circumstances affecting their studies  
  • available support services, and offering timely, student-centred advice and assistance, including trauma-informed care where appropriate
• advising students and staff on how they can contribute to a safe and respectful community, including online spaces
• providing students with information about campus security and how to report urgent and non-urgent safety concerns
• addressing gender-based violence, including sexual assault and sexual harassment, through prevention education, clear reporting pathways and accessible support services.

4. Who holds a responsibility within this procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

4.1 Adelaide University staff are responsible for:

• understanding the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000, and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018, and supporting our compliance with these requirements
• providing international students with information about support services, critical incidents, life in Australia, and safety issues as part of admission and transition
• communicating in ways that are culturally and linguistically appropriate wherever possible
• responding within one business day to non-urgent wellbeing or safety enquiries from international students
• connecting students with the appropriate support services.

4.2 The Academic Board is responsible for

• monitoring trends, risks and key issues related to student wellbeing and safety
• overseeing the effectiveness of student support mechanisms, including actions taken in response to critical incidents
• receiving reports on student wellbeing and safety activities as part of regular assurance reporting.

5. Definitions used in our procedure

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Student is a person enrolled in an Enabling Program, award or non-award coursework study, a research program, or a short course or microcredential at Adelaide University.

International student means a person (whether inside or outside of Australia) who requires a student visa to study in Australia.

6. How our procedure is governed

This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

7. Legislation and other documents related to our procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

8. History of changes

At the time of writing, Adelaide University’s organisational structure, position titles, and committee names have not been confirmed. Square brackets [ ] indicate placeholders for these details. Brackets are also used to identify policy elements that are subject to further decision-making or confirmation. These will be updated once final decisions are made.