Counselling services provides free, confidential counselling and support to students and staff with personal, study or work related issues.

We also offer advice on how to help someone you know who might be in crisis.

Make a counselling appointment

Counsellors are available on most campuses. You can visit one of our counselling offices or call to make an appointment for any campus:

Phone: +61 3 9919 2399 (St Albans campus)
Phone: +61 3 9919 8801 (Footscray Nicholson campus)
Phone: +61 3 9919 4418 (Footscray Park campus)

Appointments usually take up to one hour. To get the most out of your appointment  think about the issues you would like to discuss and what outcomes you would like to achieve. 

If you have any concerns about a colleague or friend and would like to support them in a crisis, counselling services may be able to help.

On line screening tool

If you are not feeling like yourself and want to better understand why, try the anonymous self assessment tool. It can help you decide if you would benefit from seeking a counsellor to address your personal concerns. You may also want to look at additional wellbeing resources.

Help during the exam period

Counselling services can help you work on strategies and skills for the exam period and how to cope with exam anxiety. We can also provide information and support about special consideration.

We have developed these videos to help you with preparing for exams and what to do if you get anxious during an exam. As a reward we suggest you see how Mr Bean managed an exam situation.

Coping with anxiety leading up to exams

Read transcript for Coping with anxiety leading up to exams

Coping with anxiety during exams

Read transcript for Coping with anxiety during exams

Special consideration

If you have had your course work or assessment hampered by illness of other serious causes to a substantial degree at any time during the semester, you can apply for special consideration.

You can choose any one of the four following options to gain support for your application:

• You can consult a VU counsellor to discuss the matters that have disrupted your studies. As well as assisting you to manage the situation, the counsellor may also support your application if appropriate.
• If you can provide other documentation about the reasons for your application, this may be all that you need to support your application.
• If the reason for your application is due to a medical condition, ask your medical practitioner to complete page 4 of your application.
• If you have seen a non-VU counsellor about problems affecting your studies, that person is the more appropriate one to support your application by completing page 4.

If you choose to see a VU Counsellor:

• During the Higher Education examination period there will be a counsellor on duty at the Show Grounds. Should you have concerns on the day of your exam, drop in and see them.
• Most campuses will have a drop-in time each day during the exam period. This time can not be booked ahead of the day.
• To make the processes smoother, complete as much of the Special Consideration form as you can and bring it to your scheduled appointment or meeting with a Counsellor.
• Once you have obtained the relevant supporting documentation, lodge your application within 3 working days from the date of your exam (unless you are applying for more than one subject, in which case, within 3 working days of the last piece of assessment for the subjects listed on your application).

Should you have any concerns about special consideration, make an appointment to see a VU counsellor.

Support and assistance for staff

We provide support and assistance for staff regarding student consultation, referring students to our services and our orientation and group programs.
Contact us to book an orientation session or complete an online request form.

Counselling services also provides assistance for staff when dealing with a student in crisis.

Contact us

• Student Engagement, St Albans campus: +61 3 9919 2399 
• Student Engagement, Footscray Nicholson campus: +61 3 9919 8801 
• Student Engagement, Footscray Park campus: +61 3 9919 4418