When we’ll be closed over the holidays – and where to get support if you need it
Happy holidays to everyone at Deakin! We hope you have a relaxing and safe festive season, full of delicious food, good company and fun times!
Our campuses will be closed from Friday 22 December 2023 to Tuesday 2 January 2024. We’ll reopen for 2024 on Wednesday 3 January 2024. The following Deakin services will be unavailable during the main closure period, with some variations to reopening dates.
Student Central
Student Central will be unavailable from 4pm on Thursday 21 December. Over the break, you can still ask a question or submit an online enquiry, and we’ll get back to you when we reopen on Wednesday 3 January.
Student Advisers will be available by phone between 10am–4pm on Friday 22 December 2023 to assist with 2024 offer enquiries.
Health and Wellbeing Centres
The Health and Wellbeing Centres available on Burwood and Waurn Ponds will be closed from Friday 22 December 2023 and reopen on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
The Deakin Medical centre on Waterfront campus will close Friday 22 December 2023 and reopen on Monday 15 January 2024.
The Warrnambool Health and Wellbeing Centre will close Friday 22 December 2023 and reopen on Monday 8 January 2024.
The email [email protected] and the Ask Counselling blog will not be monitored during the closure period. Find out more about Deakin’s Health and Wellbeing services.
Prayer rooms
The Deakin prayer rooms on campus will be closed from Friday 22 December 2023 and reopen on Wednesday 3 January 2024.
Library
All campus libraries will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 21 December and will reopen on Wednesday 3 January. Library Chat, phone services and online enquiries will also be unavailable during this closure period.
Check the Deakin Library website for specific opening hours for each campus.
DeakinACTIVE
DeakinACTIVE gyms on campus will be closed from Friday 22 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Stay active over the break with the DeakinMOVES app, where you’ll find challenges and at-home and outdoor workouts. Check the DeakinACTIVE website for opening hours, class times and other information.
IT Service Desk
The IT Service Desk will close at 5.30pm on Thursday 21 December. It will reopen at 8am on Wednesday 3 January. During this time, you won’t be able to call the IT Service Desk for assistance.
You can still send a support ticket to report an issue or make a request, but these will not be consistently monitored. Any non-urgent issues reported during this time will be handled when the IT Service Desk reopens.
Where to get help over the break
Medical support
Call your local GP to see if they’re open or visit Health Direct to find a service or get free health information. Your local pharmacist may be open and able to help you with minor ailments.
You can also contact NURSE-ON-CALL (1300 60 60 24) at any hour for professional medical advice. Call 13SICK, National Home Doctor (13 74 25) if you need a doctor to visit you at your home or place of accommodation (including at Deakin’s residences) after hours, on weekends or during public holidays.
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) or go to the emergency department at a hospital. You can also call the Victorian Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) for specialised help.
Mental health support
Christmas can be a stressful and lonely time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to look after yourself and get support. The best way to do this is to reach out and talk to someone – there’s a range of after-hours helplines available, including:
- Lifeline (13 11 14) – or to chat to a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, call 13YARN (13 92 76) to yarn in a safe way without judgement.
- SuicideLine (1300 651 251).
- Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36).
- Switchboard Victoria (for LGBTIQ+ support, 1800 184 527).
You might also find it helpful to read about other students’ personal or study-related experiences on Ask Counselling. Browse by topics like anxiety, loneliness or family problems. You may learn some coping techniques or find solace in the fact that you’re not the only one feeling this way. The blog will not be monitored for new questions during the closure period.
Christmas support
The Salvation Army can help if you need support with food hampers or gifts this Christmas. They also run free Christmas meal events across Australia if you don’t have anywhere else to go on 25 December.
If you’re an international student, you can also contact Study Melbourne or Study Geelong (they’re closed on public holidays).