<p>Financial stress is something many students experience, and it can affect mental health, physical wellbeing, motivation, and academic performance. In this episode of <em>The Counselling Armchair</em>, Liz, Melissa and Plia are joined by Malcolm and Katie from Student Welfare to discuss why money stress is so common, how it shows up for students, and what practical steps and supports can help. The conversation covers budgeting, fees and debt, placement-related financial pressure, fines, scams, impulsive spending, and the importance of reaching out early for support. Students are reminded that they don’t need to be in crisis to ask for help, and that free, confidential support is available both within and outside the university.</p><p><strong>RMIT Student Welfare</strong> – <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/student-welfare" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/student-welfare</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>RMIT Connect</strong> – <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/connect" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/connect</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>RMIT Financial Assistance &amp; Hardship Grants</strong> – <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/financial-support" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/financial-support</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>RMIT Counselling Service</strong> – <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/counselling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-support/counselling</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>RMIT Study Support</strong> – <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support</a></p><p><strong>Work and Development Permit (Victoria)</strong> – <a href="https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/fines/work-and-development-permits" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/fines/work-and-development-permits</a></p><p><strong>Fines Victoria</strong> – <a href="https://online.fines.vic.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://online.fines.vic.gov.au</a></p><p><strong>Centrelink (Youth Allowance, Austudy, Rent Assistance)</strong> – <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/students" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/students</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Commonwealth Prac Payment</strong> – <a href="https://www.education.gov.au/commonwealth-prac-payment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.education.gov.au/commonwealth-prac-payment</a></p><p><strong>National Debt Helpline (Free Financial Counselling)</strong> – <a href="https://ndh.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://ndh.org.au</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Salvation Army MoneyCare</strong> – <a href="https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/moneycare" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/moneycare</a></p><p><strong>Ask Izzy (Food, housing, money help)</strong> – <a href="https://askizzy.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://askizzy.org.au</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Study Melbourne Hub (International Students)</strong> – <a href="https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au</a></p><p><strong>Scamwatch</strong> – <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scamwatch.gov.au</a></p><p> </p><p></p>