UTS bushfire support

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):

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

Travel information

Health information

Air quality information


Additional Financial Assistance:

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.