UNSW Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)

The UNSW Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is a team of visible and passionate advocates who represent the health and wellbeing needs of UNSW students and action change to improve the student experience.

A part of UNSW's Health Promotion Unit, the SHAC collaborates with a range of health and wellbeing services across UNSW, providing strategic input and undertaking projects and initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of every student.

Who is the SHAC?

The SHAC reports to the UNSW Level 1 Student Health and Safety Sub-Committee and plays an integral role in shaping the direction of health and wellbeing at UNSW. It facilitates important two-way communication between students and staff, allowing them to work together to raise and solve the health and wellbeing concerns of students.

The SHAC Chair is supported by a team of dedicated SHAC Student Ambassadors who represent the diverse student community. Additional Committee members also include representatives from the UNSW Student Support Services and Student Representatives, including:

UNSW Student Support Services:

  • Health Promotion Unit
  • Health Service
  • Psychology and Wellness
  • Equitable Learning Services
  • Accommodation - Residential Wellbeing Officer
  • Student Support Advisors
  • Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement

UNSW Student Representatives:

  • Arc Clubs Officer
  • Arc Wellness
  • Inter Resident Council President (IRC)
  • PGC President / Representative
  • SRC President / Representative
  • SRC Welfare Officer
  • UNSW Health and Wellbeing Ambassador (HWA)

Current Projects

Health and Wellbeing Information Centralisation Project

This project aims to centralise information about UNSW Health and Wellbeing supports and improve student awareness and accessibility.

The project aims to:

1. Increase awareness of the UNSW Health and Wellbeing services

2. Improve UNSW student understanding of how services can be accessed

3. Identify and collate websites and resources

4. Create a UNSW Health and Wellbeing Central Zone

5. Streamline the decision-making process for students

Student Wellbeing Survey

The Student Wellbeing Survey aims to create a better understanding of student perspectives towards the UNSW Health and Wellbeing services to drive targeted change and improve service delivery. 

The project aims to:

1. Understand student attitudes towards UNSW Health and Wellbeing services

2. Assess student knowledge of health and wellbeing services

3. Assess perceived accessibility to health and wellbeing services

4. Identify barriers to accessing support

How SHAC has improved student health and wellbeing

The SHAC has contributed to a number of projects and initiatives which have delivered positive health and wellbeing outcomes for UNSW students, including: 

  • The 2022 UNSW Student Health and Wellbeing Survey, which led to:  
    • Improved LGBTQIA+ awareness and training within UNSW Student Support Services 
    • Implementation of service satisfaction surveys 
    • Development of the Health and Wellbeing Information Centralisation Project 
  • Collaborating with the PGC on the PGC Parents Guide 
  • Contributing a student voice to the UNSW Academic Success Monitor Project 
  • Collaborating with the UNSW Health Service and Student Support Advisors to co-create service satisfaction surveys 
  • Directly engaging over 220 students and staff in conversations about improving campus wellbeing at the 2024 UNSW World Mental Health Day and Sustainable Development Goals Showcase events 

How We Help You at UNSW

Find all the student support services in one place, including mental health and educational adjustments.

Get in touch with the SHAC

Have an idea about how we can improve your wellbeing UNSW? Want to collaborate with the SHAC or get feedback from a team of diverse and passionate student advocates?  

We’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at [email protected].

Back to top