Health Centre

All students can use the Health Centre services but if you would like to enrol and register with us to be your GP primary care provider, simply visit the Health Centre to complete an enrolment form (bring your Student/Staff ID card, or a course receipt). To book an appointment, either visit the centre or call us.

*Ara staff are welcome to see the Health Centre doctor on a casual basis, however students have priority for appointments. Occasionally we may have to reallocate a staff appointment to a student. In these situations we refer staff to their own GP or another medical centre (e.g. Moorhouse Clinic).

** You may be eligible for Community Services Card for discounted general practitioner services. You can find out more by calling 0800 999 999, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Our nursing services at the City campus in Christchurch are confidential and available to both students and staff. This is appointments mainly but do offer drop-ins.

Ara Social Workers provide a wide range of services across a number of issues and are available:

• City - Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Health Centre and Tuesdays at the Woolston campus (room VF109)
• Southern Campuses – Monday to Friday ( * based at Timaru, Room TA208a, level 2)

The social workers can assist with:

• Financial support
• Housing support
• Risk assessment and psychosocial assessment
• Connecting to appropriate external support services
• Work and income and student link support
• Mental health support
• Relationship conflicts
• Domestic violence
• Addiction support
• Achieving study/life balance (self-care)
• Support to ensure access to adequate services and resources within the community
• Support to enhance support systems and connection
• Support all learners from all backgrounds and cultures
• Specific support for Māori, Pacific and disabled learners to ensure equitable access to resources, services and opportunities
• Liaison with lecturers to ensure learners’ needs are being met in the classroom
• Classroom visits and workshops

To make an appointment for City campuses, call 940 7566 or email healthcentre@ara.ac.nz.

For Southern Campuses, please contact the social worker directly: 021 2802 825

We are committed to support the learner's psychological health and wellbeing.  Sometimes learners need longer-term psychological support requiring referral to external agencies. 

Counselling is available every day at the Health Centre and we also have some *evening sessions on Monday and Wednesday (*March - December).

Learners are also able to access 24/7 FREE counselling and psychological support from Vitae, a Wellbeing services provider, by completing an online form or self-referring by phone 0508 664 991

How to make an appointment 

Contact the Health Centre directly 
Phone: 03 940 7566
Email: healthcentre@ara.ac.nz
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Health Centre Referral form 

Prices are subject to change

+Conditions apply, please discuss with the receptionist on booking.

Sydenham Dental Centre offers current Ara students dental check-ups for $35 and 10% off the cost of treatments such as fillings, extractions and emergency pain relief. You can find out more and make an appointment here.

Physio Clinicians offers current Ara students a discounted ACC rate of $30 per appointment (usually $55). Ara staff will receive a discount of $10.

They can:

• lodge and treat ACC claims
• provide a written treatment plan and advice regarding the diagnosed condition
• refer you for x-ray and/or ultrasound (if required)
• refer you for surgeon/specialist (if required)

Book an appointment online here or call 03 669 3001.
Located at 273 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central.