Information for International Students

Please check our Am I Enrolled Properly page for advice.
If you need further support, please reach out to Student Central on studentcentral@westernsydney.edu.au or 1300 668 370.

Your health is our priority and we will provide support. The University has several mechanisms in place from a School and Student Welfare Service perspective that can offer support in this scenario. This may include applying for a special consideration or a deferral and/or emergency accommodation.

• If this is your first study session, contact International Admissions at apply@westernsydney.edu.au
• If you are a continuing student, contact Welfare Services at welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au
• Use the Discontinuation or Break from Studies form, SECTION 2C. Please provide a personal statement and any other supporting documentation that will support your application.
• Your enrolment will end, and this will be reported on your CoE, showing that you are no longer studying. This may have an impact on your student visa. Please seek advice directly from the Department of Home Affairs as soon as possible. Phone 131 881.
• If you are returning home, please contact Immigration and ask about requesting a voluntary student visa cancellation. More information about requesting a visa cancellation is available here on the Department of Home Affairs website
• If you have any unused tuition fees you can apply for a refund using the Request for Refund form
• A copy of the Refund Agreement was attached to your Offer/Acceptance pack, please review it before applying for a refund.
• Visa consequences of resignation: if you return home but do not apply for a voluntary visa cancellation you should still contact Immigration and ask about the visa impact of your cessation of enrolment and CoE cancellation.

The final date for deferment or withdrawal without financial penalty is the census date. You can check the census date for your session here. The process will differ depending on your circumstances.

If this is the first session of your course and you wish to defer the commencement of your course to the next study session:

• You can request deferral by contacting International Admissions at apply@westernsydney.edu.au
• You will be given a new deferred offer for your course.
• You accept the deferred offer and will be given a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) with the new start and end date. Tuition fees you have paid already will be credited to your new course commencement.
• Visa implications: as your new end date is likely to be beyond the current visa end date you will need to apply for a new visa before the current visa expires. Contact Immigration as soon as you have your new CoEs for advice about when to apply for a new student visa.
• If you have not commenced your course and want to defer, you will be reconsidered for the scholarship by the International Admission Team.

If you are a continuing student (this is your second or subsequent session) and you need to suspend your enrolment until the next study session due to extenuating circumstances; 

• Contact Welfare Services at welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au to discuss your circumstances and support options. 
• If you would like to request a leave of absence for the session and have supporting documentation, you can submit your request via the online request form.
• When the leave is approved your CoE will be updated to show that you are on approved leave. 
• Tuition fees you have paid for the current session will be credited towards your future enrolment. 
• When you return from leave, contact Student Central and ask them to report the resumption of your studies on your CoE. Student Central will also advise you about future CoEs and visa extension. 
• If you are a student on scholarship you will need to provide evidence of your leave of absence approval to internationalscholarships@westernsydney.edu.au otherwise your scholarship will be terminated. Higher Degree Research students should seek advice from Graduate Research School. 

If you submit a defer request prior to the census date, we will defer your offer to the next intake. Any tuition fees you have already paid will be credited towards your future enrolment. Please contact International Admissions via apply@westernsydney.edu.au to submit your deferral request. 

If you submit a defer request after the census date, financial and academic penalty may apply. Please contact studentcentral@westernsydney.edu.au for more information.

If you submit a leave of absence request after the census date, financial and academic penalty may apply. Please contact studentcentral@westernsydney.edu.au for more information.

You will receive an academic transcript for your online study at Western Sydney University that you can provide to your home institution for credit.

Your enrolment status and CoE will not change, you will remain an internal student, both at course and unit level. Your CoE will not be changed. 

Please visit the Western Now article for helpful guides to help you navigate the changes or contact Student Central. You will notice that some of the terminology has changed, and there is a new look Handbook.

Contact your Course Coordinator and ask for academic advice for the study pattern for the rest of your studies, including a new expected course completion date. Provide the academic advice to Student Central through WesternNow by using the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) Extension Requests form and request a new CoE for the remainder of your course, as outlined by the academic advice.

Student Central will issue a CoE and you can apply for a new student visa. Visit the Department of Home Affairs for more information on student visas.

Yes, DHA announced 2 temporary changes for student visa holders and they can be found on the Home Affairs website.

You may be eligible for the fee waiver if you held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020 and were prevented from completing your studies within your current visa grant period because:

• you had to defer or took leave from your study in 2020 because you were unable to enter Australia due to travel restrictions; or
• you were forced to reduce to a part-time study load; or
• you were unable to complete your work-based training and/or placements.

You only need this form when your student visa is close to its expiration date and you need to submit a new student visa application to complete your studies. If you do not meet COVID-19 impacted eligibility or fail to submit this form at the time of lodgement, your application could be invalidated, and you would be required to submit a new application.

If you require a 1545 form to be completed, you must make a request to Student Central who will complete the form on your behalf.

As an international student on a student visa, you must undertake a full-time study load and complete your course by the end date of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). However, if there are academic or extenuating/medical reasons preventing you from continuing with full-time study, you can make an application for a reduced study load. Reducing your study load may have an impact on your CoE and Visa as your course end date might change, this means you might need to get a new CoE and apply for a new student visa if you are unable to comlete your course within the current visa timeframe. It is important that you are aware of the impact reducing study load might have on future enrolment patterns, thereofre please discuss academic plans with your Director of Academic Program (DAP) if you are unsure.

Reduced Study Load applications must be submitted by Census date of the current session. Any application lodged after census will not be considered. Please note that you must remain enrolled in a full-time study load and attend all classes until you receive an email with the application outcome via your student email. If your application is successful, you can make a necessary adjustment in your My Student Record (MySR).

Academic Reasons
If you are unable to undertake a full-time study load for academic reasons such as units not being available, you must contact your Academic Course Advisor (ACA) or Director of Academic Program (DAP) to discuss your study plans and seek approval. Once you have their approval, you can submit a Reduced Study Load application by using WesternNow.

Please read the Reduced Study Load Guide for international students for more information. 

Extenuating/Medical Reasons
If you are experiencing any circumstances that are out of your control and are affecting your study and well-being, please contact Student Welfare Service (welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au) as soon as possible for support. If you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from studying a full-time load and you have supporting documentation, you can submit your application with your supporting documentation via the online request form. A Student Welfare Officer will make contact with you to discuss your request further. 

Please read the Reduced Study Load Guide for international students for more information.

There are very limited circumstances under which the Australian Government will grant individual travel exemptions for students to return to Australia. If you are seeking to apply for a travel exemption, it is important that you carefully read the ‘individual exemptions’ criteria on the Department of Home Affairs’ website. Further information is available on the Australian Government’s Travel Restrictions and Exemptions webpage.

From 1 February, we expect to return to a normal and vibrant campus life in time for the start of Autumn term. However, the University will continue to support those who cannot return to campus and provide flexible learning options. 

All international students will have an advisor assigned to them. Your advisor will support you throughout your time at Western and serve as a first point of contact if you need assistance. 

All student service channels, including counselling and welfare services are available online and over the phone. Please visit our Student and staff wellbeing page for more information on the services we have available. 

You can also contact +61 02 9852 5399, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm AEST, or email coronavirussupport@westernsydney.edu.au and we will direct your enquiry to the appropriate area. 

Western Sydney University also has an After-Hours Student Assistance Line specifically for International students. If you have a problem after hours, please call 1800 735 807.

You should check your vUWS sites regularly for information on how your units will be delivered, including assignments and exams. The University has take home and online exam options available to students studying online to ensure all assessment tasks can be completed, to ensure the progression of your degree. You can also consult with your Academic Course Advisor for course specific information.

You will receive more information via your vUWS site. You should check your vUWS sites regularly as this is how we will communicate with you about how your units will be delivered, including group presentations and assignments. You can also consult with your Academic Course Advisor for course specific information.

Your Unit Coordinator’s details can be found on page two of the Learning Guide which is available on the vUWS Home page. You can access the Library’s StudySmart support online through vUWS or the Library website.

If you have any IT-related queries, you can seek support via Western Now, via phone (+61 2 9852 5111), email itservicedesk@westernsydney.edu.au or use the Live Chat function on Western Now from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and between 9am and 5pm on weekends. You can also consult with your Academic Course Advisor for course specific information.

Your timetable will include an online option. There is no additional process is required; however, we recommend you connect with your unit supervisors for guidance on specific issues related to completing your subjects remotely.

The Australian Government has paused the reopening of Australian borders to international students from Wednesday 1 December, until Wednesday 15 December. 

The reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea has also been paused until 15 December.   

The University will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates to students via our International Arrivals webpage and by email. Please ensure you check your email regularly.  

You can also subscribe to the Study NSW newsletter and follow Study NSW on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates. 

Special arrangements have been put in place to support our international students, both onshore and offshore, that may be unable to provide supporting documentation to support a special consideration application due to being impacted by the current COVID-19 situation or political /civil unrest in their home country.

In these cases, please provide documentation if you have it, otherwise you can attach a statement of impact to your Special Consideration application that should include:

1. Date/s the impact was first identified.
2. Duration of the impact
3. Nature of the impact
4. How it affected their ability to complete and/or submit an assessment on time.

If you need to request an extension for an assessment you should contact your Unit Coordinator in the first instance.

If you have been personally impacted by the situation in Afghanistan, please contact one of the services listed below regarding supporting documentation: 

• Western Success (westernsuccess@westernsydney.edu.au or 02 9852 5155) 
• Wellbeing Services on 1300 668 370 (option 4, then option 1) 
• Student Central on 1300 668 370 or studentcentral@westernsydney.edu.au

The COVID-19 global pandemic has created many challenges for our students in terms of study, work and social connection. The University community is working together to ensure all our students can complete their studies and we are supporting them as best we can during this difficult time. 

Many of you would have had contact from Western Success about the support available. Your advisor will support you throughout your time at Western and serve as a first point of contact if you need assistance. 

Please also visit the Student and staff wellbeing page for information on the range of services available to you, including our free and confidential counselling service.

If a student advises that they are unable to self-isolate in their private accommodation, the on-campus accommodation provider may accommodate the student in a supported environment at no cost during the 14-day period of isolation. Students in isolation may receive personal supplies and meals/meal vouchers. The University is providing support and pastoral care to students during the self-isolation period.

In the first instance, Julie Magee (j.magee@westernsydney.edu.au) should be contacted to make arrangements with the on-campus accommodation provider where self-isolation is required.

Students residing at our campus villages have been given guidelines surrounding physical distancing and personal hygiene – all residents have received communications via email and through social media. Common areas within the campus villages are cleaned daily during the week. Our cleaning company are following the latest advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19) related precautions and have recently updated all their personal protection equipment and chemicals.

We will do everything we can to find accommodation for students who lose their jobs and cannot keep up rental payments. 

The Australian Government has a tenancy moratorium in place to restrict when landlords can evict tenants due to rental arrears is in place until 11 September 2021. Find out about the eviction moratorium and financial support for landlords.

If you are at risk of losing your rental accommodation, we will support you. Please contact +61 02 9852 5399, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm AEST, or email coronavirussupport@westernsydney.edu.au. Western Sydney University also has an After-Hours Student Assistance Line specifically for International students. If you have a problem after hours, please call 1800 735 807.

We encourage you to stay up to date with the latest updates from the Australian Government through its official Coronavirus Australia app. You can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

Non-University Financial Support

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
Available to people living in New South Wales who can't earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who has COVID-19. They must be directed to self-isolate or quarantine by NSW Health. International students may be eligible.

COVID-19 Disaster Payment
Available for workers adversely affected by a state public health order. This is a lump sum payment to help workers unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 lockdown, hotspot or period of restricted movement.

International students who have work permission on their visa are eligible for COVID-19 Disaster payment (e.g. student visa holders).

More information on eligibility and how to apply is available from Services Australia.

Our International Assistance Fund has been created to ensure you have access to support if you need it. The fund can assist students with their basic living expenses, through grocery vouchers and modest financial support. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, we encourage you to seek support by submitting the onshore international student application form. Our staff are available to answer any questions you have regarding your application and to provide personalised advice based on your circumstances. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on +61 2 9852 5399 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm) or at coronavirussupport@westernsydney.edu.au

Non-University Financial Support

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
Available to people living in New South Wales who can't earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who has COVID-19. They must be directed to self-isolate or quarantine by NSW Health. International students may be eligible.

COVID-19 Disaster Payment
Available for workers adversely affected by a state public health order. This is a lump sum payment to help workers unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 lockdown, hotspot or period of restricted movement.

International students who have work permission on their visa are eligible for COVID-19 Disaster payment (e.g. student visa holders).

More information on eligibility and how to apply is available from Services Australia.

To assist you with your studies and to answer any questions you may have along your academic journey, we invite you to join our International Buddy Program. It includes one-on-one chats, group mentoring sessions, discussion boards and question-and-answer sessions. The program also provides you access to MATES Mentors who can chat with you online. If you have any questions or require more information on how to access the program, please email intlbuddy@westernsydney.edu.au.

Your Western Success advisor can also support you throughout your time at Western and serve as a first point of contact if you need assistance.

Talk Campus offers 24/7 online peer to peer mental health network. This is a global network and specifically established to enable students to talk to each other about how they are feeling, stress or anxiety.  If students feel more comfortable communicating in their own language they can do so. We have had some excellent feedback regarding Talk Campus, so please do let your network of international students know. It is free to all Western Sydney University students. It is a great place to start talking and to make sure that however you’re feeling right now you’re not alone.

 Visit the TalkCampus webpage for more information and to find clear instructions of how to sign up.

1. Download the TalkCampus app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign up by clicking the button on the home page, and using your Western email address

In addition, there are a range of other support services offered by the University, including our free and confidential counselling service. Please visit our Student and staff wellbeing page for more information.

Yes, the International Buddy Program, which offers support tailored to your needs, can provide non-study related information. It includes one-on-one chats, group mentoring sessions, discussion boards and question-and-answer sessions. The program also provides you access to MATES Mentors who can chat with you online. If you have any questions or require more information on how to access the program, please email intlbuddy@westernsydney.edu.au.

In addition, there are a range of other support services offered by the University, including our free and confidential counselling service. Please visit our our Student and staff wellbeing page for more information.

Western Sydney University also has an After-Hours Student Assistance Line specifically for International students. If you have a problem after hours, please call 1800 735 807.

Please monitor the University’s Coronavirus News and Updates webpage which provides regular updates on the government’s physical distancing requirements and quick links to federal and state government information and resources. Please visit the World Health Organisation’s website for further advice about when and how to use masks.

If you feel unwell in any way, you should stay at home and not attend University. If you feel unwell with Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, such as a fever and cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath, please stay at home or go home if you’re on campus and arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment. You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive.

Please call the University’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on (02) 9852 5399, even if you're uncertain about your diagnosis, so that the University can provide you with further support.

It is important to remember that while coronavirus is of concern, the Department of Health advises that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness – not COVID-19. Regardless, it is best to stay at home if you’re unwell and seek medical advice to confirm a diagnosis.

As a mandatory student visa requirement, the Department of Home Affairs requires all student visa holders to maintain their OSHC for the duration of their student visa. Students who do not maintain their OSHC are at risk of not complying with their visa condition 8501. 

If you are applying to study and decide to commence overseas you will still be required to purchase OSHC. When you do travel to Australia you will then need to make contact with you OSHC provider to advise them of your arrival date, which will become your effective OSHC cover start date. 

If at the end of your study, you have a period of cover that is unused, you can apply to your OSHC provider for a refund, when you evidence your final departure from Australia. For more information on OSHC please visit our OSHC webpage.

You can contact Bupa directly for assistance with your Overseas Student Health Cover. Contact Bupa via phone 1800 888 942 or +61 3 9937 4223 (from outside Australia) or via email students@bupa.com.au . Visit our OSHC webpage for more information on other ways to contact Bupa regarding your OSHC policy.

If your OSHC is with Allianz Care Australia please refer to the Allianz Care Australia website for details about your policy and how to contact Allianz for OSHC policy assistance. 

If you have Student Health Cover with another provider, please contact them for information on how to access your OSHC.

Resources for International Students Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines  - 06/08/2021
The Department of Health has created the following resources on vaccines for international students. All are available in various languages. More information can be found in the COVID-19 Vaccine Multicultural Outreach Stakeholder Pack.

• Posters on COVID-19 vaccines for international students
• Social media tiles on COVID-19 vaccines for international students
• Social media tiles on getting a vaccine without a Medicare card for international students

COVID-19 vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia, including international students. The Australian Government is committed to ensuring everyone in Australia will have access to the vaccination when it’s their turn – this includes international students who are studying in Australia.
COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status.

Vaccination providers cannot charge students for the COVID-19 vaccine or your appointments to receive the vaccine. If students don’t have a Medicare card, or are not eligible for Medicare, they can get a free vaccination at:

• a Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic
• state or territory vaccination clinic.

NSW Health Placements
NSW Health strongly recommends that all eligible students attending or planning to attend a placement in NSW Health obtain their COVID-19 vaccination, in consultation with a General Practitioner if required. The University’s Placement Hub maintains a covid-19 vaccination information page where you can find more details.

COVID-19 is spreading fast in NSW and it isn’t just affecting the elderly – many young people are becoming very sick. Around 60% of people with COVID-19 are under 40, with some needing intensive care.

Now is the time for everyone 16 years and over to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness. Vaccination will also allow us to get back to doing the things that we enjoy more quickly. Both doses of vaccine are free for everyone in Australia – and you don’t need a Medicare card.

Everyone 16 and over can get a vaccine. Book today. Don’t delay. Visit nsw.gov.au to make a booking.

If you live in an eligible area of Sydney and are aged 16 to 59 years, work in childcare or disability support or are an authorised worker over 16, you are now eligible to book a priority appointment. To find a priority clinic and book your appointment, visit nsw.gov.au.

COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status. You can get your free vaccination at a Commonwealth or state vaccination clinic, or community pharmacies. Use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find your closest location.

Talk to your pharmacist or book your COVID-19 Vaccination online at nsw.gov.au. For assistance in your language, call 131 450, say the language you need in English and ask them to connect you to the NSW Health Vaccination Support Line on 1800 57 11 55.

Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination will be recorded on your immunisation history statement, available through myGov. You’ll need to create a myGov account if you don’t have one. You will also need an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI). The quickest way to get an IHI is online through your myGov account, following these instructions. You’ll need identification documents. If you don’t have these documents, fill in this servicesaustralia.gov.au form instead.

There are a number of financial support measures available to help at this critical time. 

Emergency relief payments to cover basic needs, such as food, medicine or shelter are also available for eligible people in Greater Sydney who do not have access to Commonwealth income support. Find out more at redcross.org.au/nswrelief or contact Foodbank on 02 9735 3099 if you are in need of a food hamper.

Your mental wellbeing is important. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, you’re not alone. There are services that can support you through these difficult times.

Your actions make a difference. Together, we will beat COVID-19. Stay up to date at nsw.gov.au