We’re providing support to UTS students and staff affected by the bushfire emergency.
The full impact of these fires is yet to be seen, however, we have and will continue to assist our community in any way we can.
Support for our students
It’s important you take care of yourself as the fire season continues and we encourage you to seek support where appropriate.
Financial support from UTS
We’re offering special financial support through a bushfire impact grant. The grant can provide quick response funds to assist with things like:
- replacing possessions (laptops, phones, textbooks, clothes etc.)
- accessing short-term rental accommodation (paying bond, rent and connecting services etc.)
Please contact the Financial Assistance Service (02) 9514 1177 to discuss your situation, what support you need and how to access the grant.
Your education is important and we want to prevent the current crisis from impacting your ability to complete your studies. If there is another way we can offer you support, let us know how – we’re aiming to be flexible in order to be effective.
If you’ve been affected by the bushfires, please contact the Financial Assistance Service as soon as possible to discuss your needs and financial assistance.
UTS counselling and health services
If you need assistance with your health and wellbeing, you can access one of our free and confidential support services:
- UTS Counselling service offers counselling to our students and are available both over the phone and in person. Contact the UTS Counselling service to make an appointment, or visit their webpage for further resources and support.
- UTS Health Service provides medical services to UTS students and staff. To make an appointment call 02) 9514 1177.
Impact on your study
If you have been directly impacted by smoke or fire and need to discuss your study options, including your mode of study and upcoming assessments, the Student Administration Unit can help. Please get in touch via the Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887) to discuss your needs.
Campus safety
Our campuses (and the City of Sydney itself) are in safe locations, well away from any fires. Even with the smoke haze we’ve been experiencing in Sydney, the UTS campus buildings have air conditioning and air filtration systems that are regularly monitored for air quality and are adjusted to filter out smoke.
Your safety and peace of mind is important to us, so we’ll continue to monitor conditions and make sure we’re providing a safe environment for you and up-to-date information on the situation.
Support for our staff
There are a number of support services available to staff.
Find out more on Staff Connect.
International students
Although the bushfires have had an unprecedented impact across NSW, we want to reassure our international community that our campuses are safe to attend and university life continues as usual.
For those commencing with us in 2020, we look forward to welcoming you to our UTS community.
Research and education
We’ll continue to support our community throughout this time, including:
- making sure we resource relevant research and education activities
- ensuring that our expertise is available to governments and communities as we recover and rebuild
- engaging in critical national discussions for future action
As we continue our developments in this area, we will update our community.
How you can support fire-affected communities
We know students and staff at UTS have a strong sense of community care and empathy, so if you would like to show your support for those impacted, here are some trusted organisations you can donate to (links below open external sites):
- NSW RFS – support for our frontline fire services and firefighters
- Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery – recovery programs and emergency assistance in communities directly affected
- Salvation Army Disaster Appeal – emergency assistance in communities directly affected
- WIRES – supporting the wildlife impacted by the fires in NSW
- Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal – offering small support grants specifically for rural, regional and remote Australia
Resources and further information
Stay up to date of the continuing bushfire crisis and take adequate precautions.
Fire locations, air quality data and other relevant information can be found through these links (open external sites).
Fire locations and warnings
- NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) bushfire warnings
- Fires Near Me app (Apple / Android)
Travel information
- Live Traffic NSW – updates on accidents and events
- Transport NSW – updates on transport issues
Health information
- NSW Health: maintaining health during bushfires
- NSW Health: bushfire smoke advice
Air quality information
- AirVisual – air quality information
- NSW Office of Planning, Industry and Environment – current air quality
Additional Financial Assistance:
- Department of Human Services - has direct assistance available to those affected by the bushfires
- Rural Assistance Authority - has a Natural Disaster Recovery Relief Grant available to eligible primary producers, small businesses, sporting clubs and not for profit organisations
- Disaster Welfare Assistance Line - for support, resources and assistance
- Insurance Council of Australia – if you think you have insurance, but can’t remember who with, call the dedicated hotline: 1800 734 621
- Financial Rights legal centre - provides several helplines that may be of assistance