The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) offers a wide variety of student support services to help you succeed and to ensure studying with us is easy and enjoyable.
Student support policies
Support for Students E.1.5
The Support for Students Policy sets out how the education division identifies students who are at risk of failing their chosen units of study including the process for identifying disengaged students and how students will be supported to successfully complete their studies.
Critical incident – Students E.1.19
The Critical Incident policy and procedure outlines the action to be taken and details the provision of support services in the event of a critical incident.
E.1.19 Critical incident – Students
Student Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment E.1.7
ACN has zero tolerance for sexual assault and sexual harassment and is committed to providing an environment for staff and students that is free from all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment. ACN will support students who report sexual harassment or sexual assault. If you, or someone you know, has been affected by an incident of sexual assault or harassment, support is available. You can find more information on our SASH webpage.
Academic support, for example, help with your assessments
Contact your Unit/Course Coordinator if you need help with the content in your unit/course (for example, you don’t understand a diagram, you’re not sure where to submit an assessment task)
Their contact details can be found at the top of your unit/ course home page.
If you need assistance with your assessments, contact your tutor. Their contact details are available in the Student/tutor forum. You can either post a question in the forum or ask them directly via email.
Please include your full name, student ID and the unit/ course you are studying in all email communication.
You may also find an answer to your problem on the FAQ page, which has a link on the left-hand menu on your homepage.
Ask your Unit/ Course Coordinator if you need further assistance with academic writing and referencing.
The Writing and Referencing Centre has been developed to help you with your units of study at ACN and covers topics such as study skills, academic writing, correct referencing and much more. We encourage you to access the centre and take advantage of the resources available. You can access the Writing and Referencing Centre via ‘My CNnect’ on your student portal. Please see: Writing and Referencing Centre
Available free to all enrolled graduate certificate students, Smarthinking is an online tutoring service available 24/7 with a focus on supporting students improve their literacy and academic writing skills including sentence structure, mechanics, grammar and referencing.
Technical support
You may find the answer to your problem on the FAQ page, which links to the left-hand menu on your homepage.
If you cannot find the answer, please contact our CNnect support: cnnect.support@acn.edu.au
Please include as many details as possible about the issue, such as:
- the URL for the page
- screenshot(s)
- links, etc., where needed
- Your name and student ID
Personal support, health and well-being
Personal support is available, including access to:
- counselling services or other wellbeing services
- career planning
- financial assistance
ACN has a dedicated Student Support Team who can provide personal support, advice and information on issues that can affect you and your studies.
Please contact student.wellbeing@acn.edu.au if you wish for help from the team or see the Student Support Booklet.
You can find more information about personal and academic support at ACN in the E.1.3a Student Admission and Progression Procedure.
Career and employment support services
ACN Career Hub
For new employment opportunities visit: Career Hub.
Career Hub resources
For a range of online resources to assist you when applying for a new position or to support you to advance in your current role see: Career Hub resources
External support services
| Name of source | Link / number |
| Emergency Services – Fire, Police Ambulance | 000 |
| Name of source | Link / number | Purpose |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | Website 1300 222 222 |
An international mutual aid fellowship dedicated to abstinence based recovery from alcoholism through its spiritually inclined Twelve Step program. |
| Australian Psychological Society — find a psychologist | Website | Directory of currently practicing psychologists. Searches can be done based on the help needed, the location or name. |
| Beyondblue | Website 1300 224 636 |
Resources and support for those who need support with anxiety or depression or caring for someone with anxiety or depression. |
| Gamblers Anonymous | Website Numbers are available for each state on the website |
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from a gambling problem. |
| Head to Health | Website | An Australian Government database of mental health resources available for yourself or to support those who require support with their mental health. |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Provides 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. |
| MensLine Australia | Website | Free telephone and online counselling services for men who require further support with family or relationships. |
| Nurse and Midwife Support Helpline | 1800 667 877 | This is a free telephone counselling service for nurses, midwives and nursing students. They can also refer individuals on to further services if required. |
| Narcotics Anonymous | Website 1300 652 820 or 0488 811 247 |
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are a gathering of recovering addicts, who meet regularly for the purpose of recovery from the disease of addiction. |
| QLife | Website 1800 184 527 |
This is a national counselling and referral service for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or intersex (LGBTI). |
| 13YARN | Website 13 92 76 |
Crisis support 24/7 to yarn with you without judgement and provide a confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about your needs, worries or concerns. We will work with you to explore options for on-going support. You know you will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where you are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame. |
| 1800RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service | Website 1800 737 732 (24 hours) |
National sexual assault, domestic family violence, confidential information, counselling and support service. |
| Name of source | Link / number | Purpose |
| NurseWell | iOS app Android app |
This is an app specifically aimed at nurses, which is designed to promote the self-care and wellbeing of nurses across Australia. This is a free download. |
| Pregnancy, Birth and Baby | Website | A series of fact sheets and support available for pregnant women and parents of children aged 0–5. |
| Name of source | Link / number | Purpose |
| Community legal centres | Website (02) 9264 9595 (for all centres in Australia) |
Community legal centres are independent, not-for-profit, community-based organisations. They provide free legal help to those most in need. For further information see here. |
| Legal Aid agencies | Website | There are also Legal Aid agencies, as well as other types of legal services, in each state and territory. For legal Aid agency contact details by state please see here. |
| My Legal Mate | Website study.nsw@investment.nsw.gov.au |
A free digital resource for NSW international students. |
| Redfern Legal Centre | Website (02) 9698 7645 |
The International Student Legal Service NSW gives free, confidential legal advice to international students living in New South Wales. |
| Name of source | Link / number | Purpose |
| Budget Planning – Student life and money | Website | Student life and money – Simple ways to manage your money on a budget. For further details see here. |
| Catholic Care Financial Counselling | Website 13 18 19 |
Financial Counselling provides information, support and advocacy to assist people in financial difficulty. |
| Financial counselling | Website | Financial counselling is a free and confidential service offered by not-for-profit community organisations. For further details see here. |
| Name of source | Link / number | Purpose |
| Fair Work Commission | Website | The Fair Work Commission is Australia’s workplace tribunal. We create awards, approve enterprise agreements and help resolve issues at work. |
| Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) | Website | Migrant workers and visa holders, including international students, have the same workplace rights as all other workers in Australia. The FWO provides free advice and assistance to all workers to help them understand these rights. |
| Overseas Student Ombudsman | Website 1300 362 072 |
The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman investigates complaints that international students have with private education providers. A private education provider can be a school, college or university in Australia. |
| Resolution Institute | 1800 651 650 | A complainant who is dissatisfied with the outcome of a final appeal at ACN, can request an independent mediator through the Resolution Institute.
For further details see E.1.13 Non-academic Grievance Policy |
Accommodation – for international student arrivals
If you haven’t secured accommodation at the beginning of your course or waiting for your accommodation to begin, short term accommodation can be valuable and essential.
Short stay options
- Serviced apartments
- Hotels
- Private accommodation
Short stay accommodation providers in Parramatta
| Accommodation provider | Address | Contact |
| Absolute Waterfront Apartments | 15/103 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 | (02) 8843 1300 Website |
| Holiday Inn & Suites Parramatta | 100 Marsden Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 | (02) 9633 9898 Website |
| Parkside Apartments Parramatta | 36 Thomas Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 | (02) 9894 0751 Website |
Some students prefer finding their own accommodation and do so by searching various websites such as:
Please note: All options should be checked thoroughly by students to ensure satisfaction prior to any payment being made. ACN has no personal experience regarding the services provided at these properties.
Before you sign up to an agreement, always read the Residential Agreement carefully. The below resources can help so that you know your legal rights as a tenant in New South Wales:
For further information on the City of Parramatta, please visit here.