Resources at the MGA

Executive Committee Women’s Officer

Join the MGA Women’s Community for social connection, support and education. Our events and online groups are open and inclusive to all female, non-binary and female identifying Monash graduate students.

Whether you have great ideas about how to bring the broader community together, or concerns you would like to raise with the MGA Women’s Officer Harshita Rathi, there are a few easy ways to get involved:

* Email MGA Women’s Officer, Harshita Rathi

* Follow @mgawomen on Instagram

* Like us on Facebook.

* Join the women’s graduate student advisory group

Advocacy

Monash University can be a large and overwhelming place. If you have a question about your studies or if you are confused about the processes at the University, contact an MGA advocate.

Our advocates are experienced and professional, and the service is free and confidential for all Monash graduate students.

MGA Family Meeting Room

The MGA recognises graduate students who are also parents. We understand that juggling family life while studying can be a challenge, especially when there is not always last-minute help available to take care of the kids.

The Family Syndicate Room is a quiet, child-friendly room with toys, books and an activity space to keep the kids busy for a few hours. The room is bookable for four hour sessions during business hours and is secured by swipe access. Check online for details, availability and to make a booking.

For parents on other campuses, don’t despair! The MGA is committed to using the success of this trial room to lobby for the creation of family-friendly study spaces on all Monash campuses.

Resources at Monash

Gender Equity at Monash

Visit the Gender Equity page on the Monash website to read the University’s position and policies on improving diversity in the University.
Find Monash academics and staff who have taken the Panel Pledge to improve gender equity and diversity on panels and at conferences.
Check out the Athena SWAN initiative for women in STEM.
Search for gender equity scholarships.

Financial Assistance

Monash University provides financial support services, tips for managing your money, assistance with estimating expenses and advice on how to establish an income. Please visit the Monash Financial Assistance landing page for more information.

Childcare

Check out the Childcare landing page for information on childcare centres at Monash, childcare waitlists and government subsidies, breastfeeding rooms and parent-friendly spaces.

Spaces

In numerous buildings around Monash campuses, you can find all-gender toilets, where people with diverse gender identities and expressions can feel more comfortable.

There are prayer rooms available on some campuses, with separate spaces for men and women.

Clubs

Check out the Monash clubs, societies and groups landing page to search for a women’s club that suits your interests or studies.

Health

Monash University offers a range of services, programmes and resources for students’ health and wellbeing. These include medical services, free counselling, and mental health programmes and resources (including mindfulness programs).

In case of medical emergencies, contact these numbers. For mental health emergencies, contact these numbers.

Safety and security

If you experience or see dangerous, intimidating or unacceptable behaviour towards women and/or female identifying and non-binary students, you should report it to the Safer Community Unit.

If you are a victim or witness of gender-based violence contact the Respectful Communities unit.

For emergencies, please contact the Monash security services.

Other resources

Monash offers scholarships for women students, and provides resources for gender-diverse students to affirm their identity.

External Resources

Mental health

Beyond Blue: Mental health support, programs, research, advocacy and communication activities for mental health.
Headspace: Mental health support for young people.
Lifeline: 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Liptember: A campaign dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women’s mental health. Pop a little lippy on in September and raise money to support mental health initiatives for women.
SANE: Information, peer support and counselling services for people with complex mental health issues.
Suicide Call Back Service: Emergency online mental health support and suicide prevention.
WIRE: Free support, referrals and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender diverse people. You can call them on 1300 134 130.

Physical, sexual and reproductive health

Cancer Council Australia: Breast cancer screening information.
Cervical Screening Test: The cervical screening test is a new and more accurate way of protecting women against cervical cancer. It is considered more effective than the pap smear test. Find out more about cervical screening at the Cancer Council or call the National Cervical Screening Program on 13 15 56 for more information.
The Drop In: An inclusive community of women taking charge of their health and supported by inspiring content from health experts. Requires membership sign-up (free and paid), enables a members-only community which is private and inclusive. In this community, members will be able to connect with like-minded women on health-related topics, explore resources (articles, videos and webinars by health specialists).
Family Planning Victoria: Reproductive and sexual health services. Tel. 1800 013 952 or (03) 9257 0100.
McGrath Foundation: Information and services about breast health. It is important for men and women to be aware of their breast health, have confidence in recognising changes, knowing the risk factors for breast cancer, and learning how to complete your own regular breast check.
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC): testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections.
Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health: A community-based, not-for-profit organisation led by and for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds to increase their opportunities for health and wellbeing in Australia through education, advocacy and leadership.
Ovarian Cancer Australia: An independent national not-for-profit organisation, supporting women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Call 1300 660 334.
Prahran Market Clinic: clinic with a focus on sexual health.
Royal Women’s Hospital: A women’s hospital based in Melbourne with a wide range of women’s health information and services.
Sexually transmitted infections: Check the Women’s Hospital page for detailed information about STDs.
Women’s Health Week: A nation-wide campaign of events and online activities centered on improving women’s health and empowering women to make healthier choices.

Family support services

Better Place Australia: Empowers people to achieve their goals and become more independent via dispute resolution and mediation; mental health services and ways to cope with mental stress; financial counselling; personal development education and awareness programs. Call 1800 639 523.
Council of Single Mothers & their Children: Provides essential support and assistance to single mother families when they need it the most. During the coronavirus pandemic, their need is greater than ever. Call 03 9654 0327.
Family Relationships Online: Australian Government initiative to provide information for all families – whether together or separated – about family relationship issues. Find out about a range of services to assist families manage relationship issues, including helping families agree on arrangements for children after parents separate.
Family Relationship Advice Line: A national telephone service established to assist families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer callers to local services that provide assistance. Call: 1800 050 321
PANDA: National support for individuals and families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression. Call 1300 726 306.
Parentline: A phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18-years-old. They offer confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues, including parenting and relationships with your child, ways to cope and be a positive parent and family wellbeing and resilience. Call 13 22 89 (8:00am to midnight, Monday – Sunday).
Separated parents: A government agency providing information about payments and services for separated parents, and providing financial support to children. Call 13 12 72.
Relationships Australia: A leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. We aim to support all people in Australia to achieve positive and respectful relationships. Call 1300 364 277
Relationships Victoria: A valued provider of specialist family and relationship services in Victoria. Find a centre near you.

Family violence support

1800 RESPECT: +61 1800 737 732. This is a 24-hour national counselling hotline for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, sexual assault, family and/or domestic violence.
Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline: +61 1800 019 123. A dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims’ rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance.
Djirra: +61 1800 105 303. Supporting the safety and well-being of Aboriginal women experiencing family violence.
InTouch, Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence: +61 1800 755 988. Multilingual, cultural support and advocacy to women and children from non-english speaking backgrounds experiencing domestic violence or leaving situations of domestic violence. They provide legal advice, outreach in courts and other community settings, build capacity to service providers, and prevention work.
No to Violence: +61 1300 766 491. Working with men to end family violence in Victoria and New South Wales.
MensLine Australia: +61 1300 789 978. National telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
Relationships Australia: +61 1300 264 277. National support for relationships for abusive and abused partner.
Safe Steps: +61 1800 015 188. Supporting women and children in Victoria to live free from family violence.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria: +61 1800 806 292 . A proactive leader in supporting, advocating and providing a crisis response for people who have experienced sexual violence. Committed to working towards the prevention of violence in all its forms.
Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture and Trauma: This foundation provides services to people from refugee backgrounds who have experienced torture or trauma in their country of origin. They provide support in different settings such as schools, primary health care and mainstream mental health.

Legal Services

Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria: Find your local Community Legal Centre in Victoria using this resource. They are independent community organisations that provide free legal services to the public. The main areas of work are: legal advice and casework; community legal education; and systemic advocacy.
Victoria Legal Aid: This organisation provides a wide range of legal services in areas of criminal law, family law and some civil law matters. The cost is dependent on the client’s income. They also have a multilingual telephone information service. Call them at 9269 0234.

Women Graduate Students