LGBTIQA+ and Ally support services at Murdoch

At Murdoch, there are a range of inclusive support services available for students.

At Murdoch, your university experience goes beyond the classroom. It’s about finding your place and your space – figuring yourself out, discovering your passion and exploring where your journey could take you. Because university is better when you belong.

We understand that part of this is ensuring all students feel welcome and included on campus, which is why we have a range of support services available for everyone.

If you identify as a member of the LGBTIQA+ community, then you may have a few questions about what support services are available to you when you start your university journey.

LGBTIQA+ at Murdoch

Murdoch is a socially rich and culturally diverse community, where all students and staff can thrive to be their best. It is a place where personal identity, cultural heritage, faith, gender expression, sexuality and ability are respected and celebrated as cornerstones of a vibrant and inclusive learning community.

There are several initiatives and programs in place to ensure we walk the walk and create  safe spaces for the LGBTIQA+ community on campus:

Ally Network:
With over 150 staff members the Ally Network provides safe, reliable and approachable contact points (or Allies), dotted across campus, trained and pledged to support and advocate for the LGBTIQA+ community.  

Members of the Ally Network are easily identified by their colourful rainbow lanyards and door labels, and their names are listed on the Murdoch website. Allies also have a special email signature they can use, to indicate they are available to support the University’s LGBTIQA+ community. 

Murdoch alumnus Oakley is involved in Ally training, watch their story: 

Policies:
Murdoch has a range of policies designed to remove barriers for LGBTIQA+ inclusion in university activities and systems for students and staff. Regular reviews are conducted to ensure currency and inclusive language.

All Gender toilets:
Since 2018, Murdoch has been introducing All Gender bathrooms on the South Street campus, with ongoing upgrades being rolled out each year. Boola Katitjin features all gender and accessible bathrooms throughout. 

Queer Room:
A student LGBTIQA+ room in the Guild is available for meeting others in the community and having a safe, inviting place to hang out.

Student run spaces:
There is also the Queer Collective: a student-run Guild club that provides inclusive platforms for LGBTIQA+ students, including virtual and face-to-face support.

• The university Guild regularly hosts events especially for LGBTIQA+ students, including “queer beers” at the Tavern.

A dedicated team:
The Access, Wellbeing and Equity (AW&E) team provide a range of support services for LGBTIQA+ students through both online and in-person counselling, accessibility advice, and medical support services, should they require them.

There is a team of Student Wellbeing and Equity Ambassadors who are all Allies. They help facilitate various wellbeing and equity activities throughout the year, including every Wednesday at ‘The Den’, where they engage students in conversations about their wellbeing, as well as direct students to the best support for their needs.

The free counselling service also has staff who specialise in working with members of the LGBTIQA+ community and run a support group for LGBTIQA+ students.

What other resources are available?

We will always do everything we can to ensure every student attending Murdoch feels as welcomed as possible while they’re at university.

• LBGTQIA+ students have set up their own social groups to connect with their peers online.
• Murdoch uses the Australian Workplace Equality Index to measure our progress against the national benchmark on LGBTIQA+ workplace inclusion.
• A dedicated group of Murdoch staff has undertaken a ‘queering the curriculum’ project to promote PRIDE @ Murdoch inclusive teaching practices amongst teaching staff.
• Making our support visible: At Murdoch, we participate in many on and off campus events and conferences to demonstrate our value, support and understanding of the LGBTIQA+ community. In 2021, Murdoch upgraded the Pride flag on Bush Court to the Progress flag, recognising the intersectional identities of the queer community.

At Murdoch, we recognise and celebrate the intersecting identities of our LGBTIQA+ community with additional equity support services including:

• Accessibility services: Which provide support for students with disability, physical or mental health conditions, or who are carers for people with disability, to enable equal participation in study.
• Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre: Providing support with the aim to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in higher education.
• Plus, a range of wellbeing and support services that are available to all students.

Uni is about so much more than just study and exams, so make the most of everything that’s on offer and get involved as much as you can! And remember, looking after your wellbeing while at university is important, which is why we are here to help every step of the way.