Changing your residency status
Essential information about notifying the university of any change to your residency status and obtaining Commonwealth Assistance
Recently become an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or New Zealand Citizen?
If your residency status has changed, you’ll need to notify UNSW within 7 days of receiving confirmation from the Australian Government. This is to ensure that you are charged correctly each term for your tuition fees and that you can access Commonwealth Support and/or HELP loans, if eligible.
Submitting your official documentation
Complete and lodge a Change of Residency Status form (PDF) within 7 days of your new residency status either in person at The Nucleus: Student Hub or via email to fees@unsw.edu.au.
Documents to include:
- Australian, New Zealand passport or other passport; OR
- Australian or New Zealand citizenship certificate (you must provide both the front and back of the certificate); OR
- Australian Permanent Resident visa label or e-visa copy, International Student Visa label or other visa label
Note: Letters confirming PR or citizenship will not be accepted.
Important note
Providing false documents will lead to serious consequences, including failing the course, suspension, or exclusion. In some cases, it may be reported to ICAC.
As a student, you should be aware of your obligations and responsibilities under the Student Code.
Quick links
Do you need to apply for a CSP?
Changing your residency status does not guarantee a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in your existing program. A CSP allows the Australian Government to cover some of your education costs as domestic students. All undergraduate programs offer CSPs, but places are limited for postgraduate programs, based on merit.
Once you have received a confirmation of your residency change, you may need to apply externally for a CSP. The steps you are required to complete will depend on your current residency status and when you are lodging your request.
Are you an International Student changing to Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen?
Yes - I have received an offer but have not accepted yet
If your residency status changes before you accept your offer, your existing offer as an international fee-paying student will be withdrawn. Contact UNSW Admissions to request a residency status update and to inquire if a CSP offer can be issued.
All undergraduate programs offer CSPs, however, places are awarded on merit. Students must apply via UAC for a place in a CSP. Please refer to the UAC website for application deadlines.
Places are limited for certain postgraduate programs. Not all postgraduate programs offer CSPs, please check here for eligible programs.
Yes - I have accepted my offer and this is my first term of study
If your residency changes before the start of the term, contact UNSW Admissions to enquire about amending your existing offer to a domestic full-fee paying place. If places are available and you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be issued a CSP offer instead.
If your residency changes after the start of the term, you will be automatically transferred to a domestic full-fee paying place upon submitting your Change of Residency Status form. To obtain a CSP offer, you will need to reapply from the next intake of domestic students via UAC or Apply Online.
Yes - I am enrolled and this is not my first term of study
If your Change of Student Residency Status form is received by The Nucleus: Student Hub on or before the Census date of your current enrolment, you will be transferred to a Domestic Fee-paying place.
If your Change of Student Residency Status form is received by The Nucleus: Student Hub after the Census date of your current enrolment, your fee type will not change. You will be transferred to a Domestic Fee-paying place from the following term.
All undergraduate programs offer CSPs, but places are limited for postgraduate programs, based on merit. Once your residency status has been updated you will remain as a domestic fee-paying student until you have applied for a CSP. Take note of application deadlines as you will need to apply for a CSP offer from the next available intake via:
- Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for all undergraduate students, Juris Doctor or Master of Teaching; OR
- UNSW Apply Online for all other postgraduate programs.
Are you an Australian Permanent Resident or New Zealand Citizen changing to Australian Citizen?
Changing your residency can enable access to further Commonwealth Assistance.
Australian citizens are able to access FEE-HELP to assist with paying their Domestic Fee Paying tuition, if you do not hold a CSP.
Students who gain Australian citizenship and are currently in a Commonwealth Supported Place are now eligible to defer their student contribution charges to HECS-HELP, in addition to the already reduced tuition.
Once you receive your citizenship certificate, you must submit the Change of Residency request before the census date to access HELP from the current term onwards.
Ensure you complete the following on myUNSW also by the census date:
- Complete the relevant electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) on myUNSW.
- Provide your Tax File Number (TFN)
You will only need to complete this form once throughout your current degree. If you change your program of study and your new program is eligible for CSP, you will need to complete a new eCAF.
If your residency status change is submitted after the census date, you will not be eligible to access any of the HELP loans until the following term.
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