FBE Disability Inclusion Student Reference Group 

FBE Disability Inclusion Student Reference Group

The Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) is establishing a Disability Inclusion Student Reference Group and is inviting expressions of interest from students with lived experience of disability, chronic illness or neurodivergence, or students who support or care for someone with disability, who would like to contribute their perspectives. 

This opportunity is open to Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), and Master-level coursework students.

The purpose of this group is to work with the Faculty to improve the experience of students with disabilities across key stages of the student journey — including orientation, mentoring programs, internships, employability activities and other important touchpoints. The group will help identify barriers, share lived experiences and provide practical recommendations to support a more inclusive learning environment at FBE.

Participation in the reference group will be paid, in recognition of the value of students’ lived experiences and contributions. Participants will also be recognised through the Melbourne Plus – Community Engagement digital credential.

Expression of interest

If you are interested in expressing your interest, please complete the short survey below.
The survey should take approximately 3–5 minutes to complete.
EOI closing date: Sunday, 17 May 2026

Complete the Expression of Interest survey

Follow-up and selection

A small number of students may be contacted for a short follow-up conversation before the final group is confirmed. This helps ensure the group includes a diverse range of student experiences.

Students selected to join the reference group will receive further information about confirmed meeting dates, participation expectations, and payment arrangements.

Eligibility criteria

  • Identify as a person with disability, chronic health condition, or mental health condition (formal diagnosis is not required); or as a carer for someone with disability.
  • Be currently “Admitted” and “Enrolled” in Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), and Master’s coursework in FBE.
  • Have completed at least one semester of study at the University of Melbourne.

Engagement

Students selected for the reference group will be invited to attend a series of approximately six meetings in Semester 2 2026. Meetings are expected to run for approximately 3 hours. Proposed meeting dates (subject to confirmation) are:

  • Tuesday, 11 August 2026 – 12pm - 3pm: Program induction and onboarding
  • Tuesday, 18 August 2026 – 12pm - 3pm: Training and preparation for participation
  • Tuesday, 25 August 2026 – 12pm - 3pm: Workshop 1 – Student commencement experience
  • Tuesday, 1 September 2026 – 12pm - 3pm: Workshop 2 – Academic mentoring programs
  • Tuesday, 8 September 2026 – 12pm – 3pm: Workshop 3 – Internship experiences
  • Tuesday, 22 September 2026 – 12pm – 3pm: Workshop 4 – Employability and career development

Privacy and voluntary participation

Participation in this survey is completely voluntary. You are not required to disclose any personal or health-related information if you are not comfortable doing so.

Any information you choose to share will be used only for the purpose of forming the Disability Inclusion Student Reference Group and will be handled in accordance with University privacy guidelines. Access to responses will be limited to designated staff involved in coordinating this initiative.

If you have any questions about the initiative, please feel free to contact us at: fbembsl-di@unimelb.edu.au