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 attending special consideration or deferral and/or emergency campus village accommodation.

 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:

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; 

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. 

At the moment, Australian borders are closed. Only under certain exemptions, non Australian citizens and residents can enter Australia. If you are in Australia you are still able to leave Australia on your student visa, however it is recommended you seek advice before leaving Australia, as your options to return to Sydney may be very limited. For more information on exemptions to enter Australia please visit https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions

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 by email studentcentral@westernsydney.edu.au and request a new CoE for the remainder of your course, as outlined by the academic advice. Please ensure you mention “CoE Extension” in the subject line.

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 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 fails 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. If you are unsure about your CoE and Visa implications, it is important that you discuss it with a Student Welfare Officer (welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au).

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 the completed Application for Reduced Study Load form to Student Central at studentcentral@westernsydney.edu.au

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.

The 2021 timetable will provide dual delivery (a mix of face-to-face and digital learning). We encourage students to attend classes on campus where they are offered. 

If you are unable to attend campus or are studying online from your home country, your classes and course content will be delivered online via interactive online teaching platforms that allow you to engage with your teachers and classmates.

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 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, Nick Dionisopoulos (N.Dionisopoulos@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 current has a moratorium on the eviction of rental tenants as a result of financial distress – at this stage the measures are confirmed to be in place util 26 March 2021. 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.

Our International Assistance Fund has been created to ensure you have access to support if you need it. Applications are open to students enrolled in at least two units at Western Sydney University, or studying a higher degree research program. Provisions that may be provided to you include:

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

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.

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 Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) 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, you will most likely have to commence from overseas and online due to borders restrictions. Even though you are not in Australia during this period, you will still be required to purchase OSHC. When travel restrictions are lifted and it becomes possible to travel to Australia, you can make contact with Allianz when you arrive 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 Allianz for a refund, when you evidence your final departure from Australia. For more information, please visit OSHC.

If you are not covered by Allianz and have OSHC with another provider, please contact them for information.

While Allianz’s offices located on Western Sydney University campuses have temporarily closed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, they will continue to provide assistance with your Overseas Student Health Cover online and by phone. If your overseas health cover is provided by another provider, please contact them direct.

To find a doctor, make a claim or update your personal policy or information, visit the Allianz Assistant Health website. To change or extend your policy, or for general enquiries, please call 13 67 42 or email oshc@allianz-assistance.com.au. To speak with a doctor, the Telehealth Service called Allianz Global Assistance continues to operate.

If you are not covered by Allianz and have Overseas Student Health Cover with another provider, please contact them for information on how to access your OSHC.