Progression Support Program

Sometimes ... undertaking a PhD isn’t always a smooth ride.

Research show that proactive intervention at the early stages of your candidature can be the most effective way to get you past your milestones and onwards to your research career. So we start the process as soon as possible into your PhD. 

We want to keep you supported so you can stay on-track.

We have created a unique Progression Program for HDR students. Your academic, social, financial and emotional well-being is our top priority.

This proactive, one-on-one support program provides:

• access to six sessions of one-on-one coaching
• support with strategies early in your candidature to help you move forward, meet your milestones, and complete your PhD.

We're all here to get you through

It takes a village to finish a thesis.

From the beginning of your PhD you’ll be allocated a Progression Support Officer. Our officers are specially trained to work with you and your supervisor to identify what barriers exist to completing your PhD and suggest appropriate supports.

We know your degree. We know our stuff.

As part of the process, your progression support officer may assist you by referring you to other relevant university bodies such as the

• FUSA (welfare and student advocacy)
• Student Learning Centre (writing, referencing)
• Library (research and database searching)
• HDR Development (REST and HDR Courses)
• Health Service (managing physical health)
• Counselling Service (personal and emotional issues)
• Disability Service (disability supports)

We also maintain a selection of external resources that you might use-  books, websites, blogs, podcasts and video sites that deal with the topic of PhD completion. 

But I'm not having problems ... am I?

Despite the best intentions of students and supervisors, sometimes problems that are impacting on the PhD can go unnoticed. That is why we check-in regularly with both you and your supervisor to see how you are going and discuss what is going right and what is going not-so-right.

Many different problems can impact on the completion of a PhD.

• Life changes
• Relationship stress
• Financial difficulties
• Health and/or mental health concerns
• Student-supervisor relationship
• Practical set-backs
• Difficulties with writing
• Issues with your studies

When we meet with you, we work collaboratively to identify things that might be getting in the way. We then link you with the necessary resources to address these issues.