Support for research students

We support research students who have a disability, ongoing medical condition or mental health condition, including those on the autism spectrum, neurodiverse students and students with learning difficulties.

Disability Support Services (DSS) also supports students with short-term injuries, and students carers of someone with a disability or who is aged and frail.

What we offer

DSS offers advice, information and referral to other services and supports, including:

  • flexible hours
  • adjustments for milestones
  • reasonable adjustments for coursework assessments
  • access to a resting room
  • mobility support (mobility scooters)
  • ergonomic workplace setup (in consultation with OH&S consultants)
  • sign language for deaf students (Auslan interpreters)
  • research assistance by academic support workers, graphs descriptions, referencing assistance, lab assistance, etc.

Depending on how you’re impacted, there may be additional support services available to you. You can meet with a disability adviser to discuss this.

Keep in mind, registering with DSS doesn't provide automatic access to all services. Once you’ve met with one of our disability advisers, we’ll work out what support services you need.

How to register

Step 1

Discuss how your studies are impacted with a qualified health professional (with expertise in the relevant field). Your health professional will need to complete and sign the DSS online registration form, or download the registration form (pdf, 0.13 mb). This can’t be completed by a relative or family friend.

If you have a learning disability, you'll need to have a detailed adult assessment and report completed by a qualified educational or neuropsychologist (attach this to your registration form).

Step 2

A DSS adviser will consult with you about any adjustments that may be needed for your learning. This may be via email, phone or via an appointment.

Registration with DSS and discussions with disability advisers remain private and information won’t be released or shared without your permission. If you register with us, it isn’t recorded on your academic record.

Step 3

We recommend you advise your supervisor that you’ve registered with DSS and discuss the supports you may require – DSS can also assist with this. You’ll also be able to check this information on the Student Portal.

Other documents

Instead of submitting our registration form, you can provide original documents on:

  • the nature of your disability (if you have a learning disability, you'll need to provide a full psychological assessment)
  • whether your disability is short-term, fluctuating or permanent
  • how your disability affects your study
  • arrangements recommended for you
  • any previous arrangements made for you at school or university
  • how long your documentation is valid for.

Email all documents to disabilitysupportservices@monash.edu.

Privacy

Details of your disability and registration remain private and are securely maintained by Disability Support Services and won’t be disclosed to other areas of the University without your consent.

For more information regarding privacy, please refer to the Disability Support Services Privacy Statement. Your registration with Disability Support Services will not be noted on your academic transcript.