The student counselling service of the University of Papua New Guinea is examined in terms of its roles, staff, and clients. Counsellors were interviewed and the problems of the 1989 cohort of student clients were categorised. The catalyst for seeking professional help was student concern over academic performance rather than the “underlying problems” causing academic difficulty. The most commonly cited problems related to immediate family and close relatives. The counsellors reported that conflicting role demands imposed by the university administration were likely to impede their counselling work and the potential value of the service. Ways of overcoming this conflict are considered.