If stretching your budget has become your newest extracurricular activity, you’re not alone. 

Between rising grocery prices and juggling work, study and everything in between, being a student isn’t always easy. Fortunately, the University of Newcastle offers a range of free services and resources designed to support your wellbeing and help ease financial pressures.

Here’s a look into some of the support systems available on campus. 

FOOD 🍊

To alleviate the financial hardship faced by students in getting groceries, the University of Newcastle Students Association (UNSA) has two free services under their UNSA Pantry initiative: Free Food Friday and the Grocery Hub.  

The Grocery Hub is a free food support initiative that provides students with access to long-life pantry essentials. Students can now access this service at Callaghan (online booking required), Ourimbah and NUspace. 

Free Food Friday provides students with free groceries each Friday morning during regular semester weeks (Callaghan only). Starting at 8:45am in the UNSA HQ (Shortland Building), bring a bag and stock up on free groceries for the week ahead. 

Sustain Me – good food, greater purpose. 

Eating well on a student budget shouldn’t be a challenge. Sustain Me provides affordable, filling meals to help students stay fueled without breaking the bank. With meals starting from just $1.50 and capped at $11, Sustain Me has already supported more than 1,700 students, showing how a good meal can make a real difference to student wellbeing. 

Originally launched at Callaghan’s The Nook, Sustain Me has since expanded to NUspace and the Central Coast, with participating retailers offering affordable meals across multiple days of the week. 

Find out more: Sustain Me: Good Food, Greater Purpose – Navigator 

F.E.A.S.T. – free fresh food, wellbeing and connection 

Keep an eye out for F.E.A.S.T (Feed, Empower, Access, Sustain, Together), the upcoming, free student event bringing together fresh food, wellbeing, sustainability, and connection. 

Students can access approximately $20,000 worth of free fresh produce, along with activities designed to support wellbeing and student life.

When and where: 

• Wednesday 2 September 2026 
• 10:00am – 2:00pm (or until food runs out) 
• McMullin Lawn, Callaghan Campus 
• Wet weather: Brennan & McLarty Rooms 

Free event, and no registration is required!

Find out more: https://unsa.org.au/event/feast/  

Academic Support 📚

As a student at the University of Newcastle, there are free educational resources available to help you on your student journey.  

ASKUON & Student Progression Team

ASKUON is one of the helpful resources available to all students where you have access to all answers relating to student life, enrolment help, wellbeing systems and much more.

Another one of the services available is Student Progression. The Student Progression team are here to answer all questions relating to your program – book an appointment by contacting AskUON HERE.

The Library

Our Library service can also provide free help with topics like referencing, copyright, AI use and more! Book a 1:1 with a librarian Monday-Saturday for tailored help with your assignments and research today – Find out more about library resources here.

On the topic of library resources, check out MakerSpace at the Auchmuty Library! It is a free pop-up station where students can explore their creativity skills and the technologies on offer include 3D printing and scanning, photography and media equipment. 

Other free academic support resources 

You can also get free help with your uni work through several Academic Learning Support services: 

• 24/7 writing feedback via the Student Writing Improvement Feedback Tool (SWIFT) 

• Learning advisors who help with academic writing and study skills 

• Peer-assisted study sessions (PASS) run by other students who aced the course 

Find out more: Academic Support – Current Students 

Personal Support 🧡

There’s a whole range of reasons you might need to reach out, and when you do, we’re here for you. The university offers a range of free and confidential personal support services, including: 

• Free and confidential counselling – personal or study related 

• Financial advisor – vouchers, grants, loans and financial advice 

• AccessAbility for those with a permanent, temporary or fluctuating disability/condition 

• After-hours crisis line, 5pm–9am and on weekends (text and phone) 

• Free Legal Advice – offered to students by the University Law School (drop-in sessions only, available Wednesday mornings 9am-12pm / not available during semester recesses) 

• Bulk billed GPs/Health Service – Callaghan and Ourimbah 

• Campus Care to report inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour 

• Student Advocates help navigate Uni policies and procedures 

• TalkCampus – a free app available to students that provides 24/7 mental health support

• Multi-faith Chaplaincy – covering major faith groups 

• Health and Wellbeing Coordinator for on-campus residents (contact: studentlivingsupport@newcastle.edu.au)

 Find out more about support services available to you HERE. 

Employment Support 👩‍💻

The Careers Service offers free employment and career support to all current students and alumni of the University of Newcastle. The team provides drop-in spaces across Callaghan, Newcastle City, Ourimbah and Gosford campuses to provide personalised advice and assistance.

Other Freebies! 👏

• Free parking is available for Callaghan students at Carpark 14, which is located near the Ray Watt Oval and the residences (adjacent to Barahineban Residence), and Carpark 16. Parking on Ourimbah campus is entirely free. 

• Liftango, a ridesharing app, allows students to access free parking in exclusive spots on campus. Carpool with friends and fellow students all while reducing your carbon footprint. 

• Bike Hubs located at Callaghan, Gosford Central, NUspace and Q Building provide secure and undercover storage for your bike. 

• Survival Stations are available to students all around our campuses, where you can find fridges, microwaves, hot & cold water, kitchens and more! 

• Free digital subscriptions to a range of digital newspapers can be accessed by University of Newcastle students free of charge. 

Want to be among the first to hear about freebies and student deals on your campus? Check out our student newsletter, The Know, every Monday – your weekly guide to what’s happening across campus! 

Feature Image: Created using Adobe Firefly and Photoshop