Building a Healthier UNE: How Healthy Campus is Guiding the Way We Live, Learn and Move

At the University of New England, Healthy Campus isn’t just a program run by SportUNE. It’s a whole-of-campus approach to improving the health, wellbeing and everyday experiences of our students, staff and wider community.

Delivered through SportUNE, the initiative is part of the global International University Sports Federation (FISU) Healthy Campus framework, which provides a structured way for universities to embed wellbeing into all areas of campus life.

UNE has achieved Gold Level Accreditation, making it one of only a small number of universities in Australia, and the first regional university, to reach this standard.

So, What is Healthy Campus?

Healthy Campus is built around a simple idea:

Health and wellbeing should be part of the environment people study and work in, not something they have to seek out separately.

To achieve this, the framework looks at seven key areas:

• Physical Activity and Sport
• Mental and Social Wellbeing
• Nutrition
• Disease Prevention
• Risk Behaviours (e.g. alcohol, smoking, sun safety)
• Sustainability & Environment
• Leadership & Management

Rather than focusing on a single program or service, Healthy Campus brings these areas together to create a Coordinated, evidence-based approach to wellbeing across the entire university.

What Does Healthy Campus Actually Look Like at UNE?

At UNE, Healthy Campus is delivered through a mix of programs, facilities, partnerships and policy improvements. Some of the key examples include:

Making it easier to be active

• Free social sport competitions for students and staff
• Accessible gym and fitness programs through SportUNE
• Regular initiatives like the Healthy Campus Monthly Walk
• Facilities that support everything from casual recreations to high performance sport.

Supporting mental and social well-being

• Programs that encourage connection, belonging and routine
• Opportunities to engage through sport, clubs and shared activities
• Creating environments where students and staff can build friendships and support networks.

Improving health awareness and prevention

• Education around key healthy risks like UV exposure
• Activations and partnerships that improve access to preventative health services
• Campaigns that promote simple, everyday health behaviours.

Creating a supportive campus environment

• Investment in safe, accessible facilities & outdoor spaces.
• A regional campus that naturally supports active and outdoor lifestyles
• Ongoing improvements to infrastructure that encourage movement and connection

Working Across the Whole University

Healthy Campus at UNE is not delivered by one team alone. It relies on collaboration across:

• SportUNE & UNE Life
• UNE Medical Centre
• UNE Academic & Professional Staff
• Student Clubs and Leaders
• External Community Partners

This whole-of-campus approach is what enables meaningful, long-term change, not just one-off events.

Why it Matters in a Regional Setting

For a regional university like UNE, Healthy Campus plays an even more important role.

Students often move away from established support networks to study in Armidale. Creating opportunities for connection, routine and wellbeing on campus can significantly impact:

• Student Experience
• Retention & Engagement
• Mental Health Outcomes
• Overall Sense of Belonging

Healthy Campus ensures that students don’t  just come to UNE to study, they thrive while they are here.

What’s Next for UNE?

UNE is now working toward Platinum-level accreditation, with a focus on:

• Expanding programs that support mental and social health
• Increasing student involvement and leadership opportunities
• Strengthening partnerships across campus and the community
• Continuing to embed wellbeing into everyday university life.

Healthy Campus is Everyone’s Responsibility

Healthy Campus isn’t something that happens to students and staff. It’s something that is built with them.

Whether is joining a walk, playing social sport, supporting a friend, or simply spending more time outdoors, every action contributes to a healthier campus.

At UNE, we’re building a culture where well-being is part of  how we live, learn and connect, everyday.

Want to get involved?

Register your interest to join the steering committee here by clicking here