About Student Advice and Advocacy 
Whether you are a coursework or research student, local or international, studying on a campus of the university or at a distance (or both), if you are a postgraduate student of the University of Sydney and a SUPRA Subscriber we invite you to contact a Student Advice and Advocacy Officer (SAAO) to raise candidature-related issues.
SUPRA currently employs four SAAOs: Adrian Cardinali, David McKenzie, Margaret Kirkby and Patricia Quinn who are ready and willing to assist you with (almost) anything you might have to throw SUPRA’s way! Some of the issues SAAOs can address include those below. Please note, this is not a comprehensive list so contact us even if your area of concern does not appear in the list.
- Appeals, Compaints and Termination (coursework and research course appeals, show cause, complaints, corruption)
- Harrassment and Discrimination
- Special Consideration and personal circumstances affecting your studies
- Supervision
- Research issues (thesis, ethics, intellectual property, making progress, stats help)
- Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
- Working in Groups
- Fees (tuition fee and ancillary fees, compulsory fees)
- Finances (PELS, FEE-Help, Scholarships, Research Training Scheme, PRSS)
- Centrelink and Financial Assistance
- Administration (changing subjects, enrolment, etc)
- Tenancy
As a postgraduate student of the University of Sydney, you are entitled to contact SAAOs about any inquiry or dispute that you may have within the Departments and Faculties of the University or in relation to any matter that is affecting your candidature. If we cannot assist, we will refer you to someone who can.
All communications with the SAAOs are treated in absolute confidence so contact them if you are experiencing any difficulties. We are independent of the University as we are employed by SUPRA, not the University. SAAOs, where possible, will provide information, options and strategies and will only act on your behalf if you request for them to do so.
Please note that SAAOs are not lawyers, counsellors or migration agents. However, we do run - from time to time - information sessions and seminars dedicated to these (and other) issues. To find out about such events become a SUPRA Subscriber or check out the events calendar on the left.
SUPRA’s Legal Service
Redfern Legal Centre has a new SUPRA funded branch office on the Darlington campus in the SUPRA offices. A solicitor is available to provide free legal advice, representation in court and a referral service to postgraduate students who are SUPRA subscribers.
The solicitor can assist you with a wide range of legal issues including:
- Administrative law (government etc)
- Consumer complaints
- Court action against the University
- Credit & debt
- Criminal law
- Discrimination and harassment
- Domestic violence
- Employment law
- Family law (advice only)
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Tenancy law
- University complaints
- Victims compensation
- Other general complaints
The Service operates a Drop In Advice session on Thursdays from 1pm-3pm (no need for an appointment).
You can also make an appointment to see the solicitor at other times by calling the SUPRA Office on 9351 3715.
Note: The solicitor cannot advise on immigration law but can refer students to contact points.
