- university, or
- other institution such as a business college.
Students normally become eligible on their 16th birthday but may still apply if they are under 16 and received TEAS or SAS in 1986.
Young homeless students who are under 16 but over the minimum school leaving age may also apply. To receive AUSTUDY, tertiary students must maintain a satisfactory rate of progress in their course and continue in full-time study. School students must attend school regularly.
Students receiving other forms of Commonwealth assistance are not eligible lor AUSTUDY. When students receive AUSTUDY their parents do not qualify for the family allowance from the Department of Social Security.
Living Allowance
The main benefit under AU STUDY is a living allowance. Students who are eligible for a living allowance are classified as either'dependent' or 'independent'. The living allowance is subject to an income test on personal income. For dependent students there is also a test on parents' income. For independent students, the income of a spouse is taken into account if the student is married or living in a de facto relationship.
Students may qualify as independent if they are:
married
twenty-five years of age or over
an orphan or ward of the State or Commonwealth a homeless student
a refugee without parents in Australia
or if they have been employed for two of the last three years.
For information regarding the living allowance rates and other benefits available, closing dates for application and application forms, contact the Commonwealth Department of Education direct:
Brisbane- (07) 229 9133 Cairns- (070) 52 5566 Rockhampton - (079) 31 6677 Thursday Island- (070) 69 1443 Townsville- (077) 72 9444
NSAS (Needy Students Assistance Scheme) SASS(Special Assistance to Students Scheme)
This scheme is operated by the Institute through the Needy Students Assistance Committee and is available to assist students whose financial situation may place their study in jeopardy. Both full-time and part-time students may apply and each student is considered on his or her own individual circumstances. Should you experience financial problems, no matter how large or small, call in at the Counselling Centre and discuss your financial concerns with the Information Counsellor (Careers and Welfare).
THE GARDENS POINT CAMPUS CLUB
With its excellent views over the Brisbane River, the Gardens Point Campus Club is QIT's most pleasant and relaxing social facility. It was founded with financial assistance from the QIT Union and exists to foster social interaction in and amongst the students and staff of the QIT community.
Located on the upper level of the Community Building, the Club not only provides a pleasant social atmosphere for drinking but also provides facilities for lunch, either from the Terrace Grill Bar or the Bistro dining room. Both of these facilities offer a high standard of food at very reasonable prices. The Lounge bar provides another setting where members can sit and relax with a cup of coffee in the comfort oftheirown club.
Entertainment in the Club includes bands, (often organised in con- junction with the QIT Union), video movies, cabarets, disco nights, and regular promotional events.
The Club also offers an excellent venue for functions. Catering prices are highly competitive and functions can be booked through the Secretary/Manager.
The Club also is managed by a committee elected from members of the QIT Union Executive and members of the Club.
Membership of the Gardens Point Campus Club is open to all past and present students and staff of OIT and the Conservatorium of Music.
Financial members benefit from regular concessions on various services and events provided by the Club.
Trading hours: 12 pm to 10 pm Terrace Barbeque-
Mon to Thurs: 12 pm- 2 pm, 4.30 pm- 6 pm, Friday: 12 pm- 2 pm.
Bistro-
Mon to Fri: 12 pm- 2 pm, 4.30 pm- 6.30 pm.
Phone: 221 417 4
CREDIT UNION
The College Credit Union, situated on Level 3 of the Community Building was established to serve the particular needs of all college members, both staff and students.
Qualifications for Membership
-Persons engaged full-time or part-time in the field of advanced or post-secondary education
- Full-time or part-time students
-Members of the immediate family of the above categories - Any other person approved by the Board
Services
The College Credit Union provides a wide range of services for its members:
Payroll deduction and total net pay deposit
Family allowance, TEAS allowances, and pensions paid direct into savings account
On call savings, fixed term deposits and Christmas club account available
- Automatic deduction of fees for QAASCAE and Federated Clerks Union
- Member chequing facilities
- Low cost loans- to approved applicants - Bill paying service
Automatic teller machines
- API Travel Service and Thomas Cook Travellers cheques Offices
Head Office - Q IT, George Street, Brisbane
Branches- QAC, Gatton; DDIAE, Toowoomba; CIAE, Rockhampton
QIT SPORTS COMPLEX
The new QIT Sports Complex, located next to the Community Building, will be open for use by students and staff in mid 1988.
The Complex contains a heated indoor swimming pool (25m x 81anes), three squash courts, and a landscaped outdoor relaxation area for sun baking and social activities.
These facilities have been equally funded by the Institute and the QIT Union at a total cost of $2 million.
Also planned for construction on this site (once sufficient funds are available) is a multi-purpose Auditorium, which will physically link the Sports Complex to the Community Building.
QIT UNION
The QIT Union is owned and operated by and for students. (However associate membership is also available to QIT staff).
The Aims of the Queensland Institute of Technology Union-
In its capacity as a community service organisation, the aims of the Union are to involve its members in the full richness of the activities associated with campus life; provide the highest possible standard of services and facilities to members; and represent the interests of members on the various QIT boards and committees.
Union Council -
The QIT Union Council comprises the President, five Executive Directors and up to thirty-five Representative members elected from students enrolled in the various schools. Elections are held annually.
Union Council meets every four (4) weeks during semesters. All members who wish to attend Council meetings are cordially invited to do so. Even though they are not Council members, they may ask questions of any of the Director, Student Representative or Academic Board Representatives.
Union Facilities and Services-
Since the Union has a major say in the day-to-day operations of the Community Building and provides large grants to subsidise clubs and activities, the amenities and services available for members are both beneficial and varied.
Union Office {Level 3, Community Building) which is staffed full-time to provide continuity of service to all students. Hours: 9 am to 6 pm Mon- Thurs; 9 am to 5 pm Fri. For all enquiries about Union activities and services either phone or call at the Union Office. Phone: 221 3144.
Courtyard Shop (Level 2, Community Building) sells a large range of calculators, clothes, chemist lines and other goods at discount prices, and is a market place for student-made products. Hours: 8.30 am to 6 pm Mon-Fri.
Health and Fitness Centre (Level 1, Community Building) offers spas, sauna, weights, aerobics and karate. Qualified fitness instructors are available to conduct fitness assessments and programming services.
Hours: 7 am to 7 pm Mon & Wed; 8 am to 7 pm Tues, Thurs & Fri.
QIT Union Pre-school and Child Care Centre is located in the 'Old Bakehouse'. The Centre caters for 25 children per day and places are limited. Hours: 8.30 am to 5.15 pm Mon-Fri. Phone: 221 6993.
QIT Travel (Level3, Community Building) is a travel agency set up by the QIT Union and World Travel Headquarters to service the students and staff at OIT. Hours: 10.00 am to 6 pm Mon-Fri. Phone: 229 0655.
Games Room (Level 1, Community Building) has billiards tables, amusement machines and table tennis facilities for Union members use.
Hours: 7.30 am to 5.15 pm Mon-Fri.
Second Hand Bookshop (behind the Union Office) is a halfway house for unwanted textbooks. Books can be signed in at the Union Office. Hours:
12 pm to 2 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm.
The Womens' Services Officer is employed by the QIT Union to look after the interests of women on campus. She organises the Womens' Collective, activities, acts as a counsellor for both women and men, and generally tries to educate the campus community about problems faced by women. Availability: 10 am to 6 pm Mon and Wed; 10 am to 5 pm Thurs.
PLANET is the Union's free community newspaper and is produced approximately every three weeks during semester. PLANET provides
general information and also acts as a forum for a wide range of topics of student interest. All members of the Union are able to contribute articles, literary masterpieces, etc. The PLANET office is on Levell, Community Building.
Contact Centre (level2, Community Building) helps provide employment, accommodation and general information for students. Hours: 10 am to 6 pm Mon-Thurs; 9 am to 5 pm Fri.
Clubs and Societies-both sporting and non-sporting- are affiliated with the Union and are funded annually. The number of Clubs and Societies is growing constantly. For information on the Clubs presently operating, or if you want to start one up, contact the Union Office or Contact Centre.
The Union produces a number of publications for members' information including the Alternative Handbook, Student Discount Book, Guide to Campus Services, Annual Report, Wall Planner/Calendar, and Clubs and Societies Handbook. These are available free of charge from the Union Office or Contact Centre.
Graduation gowns and hoods can be hired from the Union for graduation ceremonies or photographs. Hire fee: gowns- $10; hoods- $5. A deposit is required if the gowns are being taken off campus.
The QIT Union is owned and operated by and for students.
COUNSELLING CENTRE
The Counselling Centre is an autonomous professional service depart- ment of the Institute, taking an active role in promoting the personal and educational development of students and staff on campus.
It operates to assist with concerns related to normal development needs:
problems with personal and social functions, educational difficulties, and decision making on future career and personal planning.
As well, it offers programs designed to aid the development of personal maturity and effective patterns of living, studying, and working. These include interpersonal communication workshops, assertiveness work- shops, job l1unting skills and career planning workshops, stress manage- ment groups, reading efficiency and study skills programs.
Complementing these are a range of general welfare and guidance services, including financial aid, course and career information, and an accommodation self-help service. The Centre also provides contact with many other agencies in the community offering services to students.
Services are provided by professionally qualified staff. Facilities in the Centre include consultation rooms, a group (lecture) room, an educat- ional skills clinic, and a library of course and welfare information.
Services are free of charge and available to all students (both full- and part-time) and staff on campus as well as others intending to enrol at QIT in the future.
All consultations are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
The Counselling Centre is located in the Community Building on the lower ground level. During semester, its hours of operation are 8 am. to 6 pm., Monday to Thursday, and 8 am. to 5 pm., Friday. Non-semester hours are 9 am. to 5 pm. Monday to Friday. It is advisable to make an appointment, especially for part-time students. The Centre's telephone number is (07) 223 2383.
INSTITUTE HEALTH SERVICE
The Institute Health Service is a free service available to both full-time and part-time QIT students. The centre is located in the south-west corner of Old Government House. Students are welcome at the Health Service for discussion and treatment of all conditions pertaining to their fitness and health, including:
First Aid and Dressings Skin Care and Conditions
Gynaecological Complaints and Routine Smear Tests Contraception Advice and Counselling
Routine and Overseas Vaccinations Hearing Tests and Scuba Diving Medicals
A registered nurse is in attendance from 8.30 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30 am to 6.00 pm on Fridays. Appointments may be made for medical consultation with either Dr Bruce Johnson or Dr Lyn Kingsford who are in attendance at the Health Service daily. The telephone number is 223 2321 and this number should be called in all cases of emergency on the campus. All consultations and records are of course 'Strictly Confidential'.
CHAPLAINCY CENTRE AND CHAPEL
The Chaplaincy Centre is ecumenical- in fact, it is available to members of all faiths as a drop in centre for worship, reflection and discussion.
The Centre seeks to gather a Christian community drawn from a diversity of traditions and theological emphases and to encourage this community to be a lively influence within the campus. It aims to relate Christian faith not only to personal commitment but also to corporate issues in the world. Activities include social gatherings, discussion groups and regular eucharists.
Four part-time chaplains are available to staff and students for-consult- ation and counselling. One chaplain is present each day from 9 am -5 pm but should there be no-one in the office, a message may be left at the Counselling Centre opposite. Chaplains' phone: 223 2700.
The Centre is downstairs in the Community Building (beneath the Coffee Shop). There is a chapel for private devotion and a drop in centre with comfortable chairs and reading material.
APPOINTMENTS AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE An Appointments and Employment Service is provided by the institute to assist final year students to gain employment. The service includes:
Reference Library on prospective employers
Short courses on writing resumes, interviewing skills and job hunting methods
Annual Campus Interview Program
The Campus Interview Program is conducted in Autumn semester (April-May) and Spring semester (August-September). Both Private and Public Organisations conduct interviews with final year students on campus. Further details on this service to students may be obtained from the Graduate Placement Officer, Admissions and Administrative Services Section, 'U' Block.