CQUniversity Mackay students will soon benefit from a new smartphone app which aims to connect more than 17,000 students from across Mackay with local retailers by offering discounts and rewards.

Thanks to a partnership between BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal (BMC) and Study Mackay, the new technology is part of the Student Discount Project designed to relieve cost of living pressures.

Study Mackay's Claire Christensen with CQUniversity students Travis Smith and Jordan Kirkland-Orlow are looking forward to the new smartphone app for student discounts. CQUniversity Mackay's head of campus and Chair of Study Mackay, Professor Pierre Viljoen said the project would target students older than 15 years of age from local high schools, TAFE, universities and language colleges.

"It's a win-win situation. Students feel more supported in the region being able to access exclusive discounts which assist their cost of living, and local businesses will generate a larger, and sometimes new, market," Professor Viljoen said.

"The hope is the discount program will help establish Mackay as a more student-friendly town and work closely with other initiatives being undertaken by the Study Mackay group."

BMC Asset President Michael Rosengren said the BMC Education Initiative Advisory Group recognised the Student Discount Project could help to address cost of living pressures which were a key finding of a community needs assessment conducted by the business in 2010.

"To ensure a diverse economy for Mackay into the future, supporting student life and maintaining a population of younger people in the region must continue," Mr Rosengren said.

"Along with connecting the student bodies across Mackay with local businesses, the project will also help promote part-time job opportunities for students and potentially help employers to recruit staff."

The discount program is expected to be launched on Saturday, February 23, 2013, during CQUniversity Orientation week celebrations.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can provide discounts  for local students, please contact Claire Christensen at Study Mackay on 07 4953 2655.