Census Information

What is Census Date?

The census date is an important deadline for all students. On this date:

  • You become financially liable for the subjects you’re enrolled in.
  • It’s the last day to withdraw from a subject without: a. incurring financial liability, and b. receiving an academic penalty.*
  • It’s also the final day to submit your Unique Student Identifier (USI).

*Note: Students dropping their semester block subjects on census date will not be financially or academically penalised.

Where can I find the Census Date?

Census dates for each teaching term are listed on our Academic Year Timeline. For more details, please visit the Important Dates webpage.

Important: If the census date falls on a weekend, make sure you submit any required documents to the Student Services Hub by 5:00 PM on the last business day before the census date. Check the census date for your specific teaching term.

What actions I need to take by the Census Date?

International Students

For international students, your fees are due at the start of the session, but the census date is the final day to add or drop subjects.

Domestic Students

For domestic students, the census date is also the final day to:

a. Submit your Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) to accept your Commonwealth Supported Place,
b. Provide your tax file number (TFN) or evidence of your TFN application in your eCAF if you plan to defer fees,
c. Pay your fees upfront, and
d. Incur a HELP debt for any subjects you are eligible for a HELP loan and have not paid upfront.

Note: Even if you choose not to defer fees, you must still complete the eCAF if you are studying in a Commonwealth Supported program.

If you’re feeling unsure about continuing with your current subjects, have you considered reaching out to the Student Services Hub before the census date for advice? They can help you explore your options.

If you’re thinking about taking a Leave of Absence for the term, be sure to submit your 'Discontinuation or Break from Studies' form to the Student Services Hub by the census date. You can find more information on the "Applying for Leave and Resigning from Your Program" webpage.

FAQs

What do I need to do if my residency or Citizenship status has changed?

If your residency or Citizenship status has recently changes, it’s important to inform the University before the census date. Visit the Student Services Hub with the following documents:

  • If you’ve become an Australian citizen (previously a permanent resident), provide your citizenship certificate.
  • If you’re an international student becoming a permanent resident, bring your passport and visa.

For Humanitarian visa holders, present your passport and visa. If your visa is over two years old, you’ll also need a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) to provide an up-to-date visa verification.

Once your residency status has been updated, don’t forget to complete a new electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF). If you fail to submit your residency documents or a new eCAF before the census date, your previous residency status will remain in effect, and you’ll be charged the corresponding tuition fees.

Have you already submitted your change of residency or eCAF? If not, please keep in mind that if it’s done after the census date, your new status will only apply from the following term.

Find out about changing your residency status

What is a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)?

As a domestic student at Western, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). This means that the Australian Government subsidises your fees, so you only pay a portion of the full cost of your program.

Find out about CSP

What is a Student Contribution Amount?

The subsidised fees you pay as a CSP student are called Student Contribution Amounts, and they are charged on a per-subject basis.

Find out about CSP

What is a Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)?

An eCAF serves two purposes:

  1. It allows you to accept your Commonwealth Supported Place. Even if you plan to pay your fees upfront, you must submit an eCAF to secure your CSP.
  2. It allows eligible students (Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian visa holders, and certain NZ citizens) to defer their student contribution fees via HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP for postgraduate students. You need to provide your Tax File Number (TFN) in the eCAF before the census date to defer your fees.

Note: You must submit a new eCAF when you start any new program.

Find out about submitting your eCAF

What is a Unique Student Identifier (USI)?

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a reference number made up of 10 letters and numbers. It is required for all students in a Commonwealth Supported Place. Your USI gives you access to a transcript of your nationally recognised training and stays with you for life. You can create and submit your USI through MySR.

Find out about submitting your USI

What is a Tax File Number (TFN)?

A Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal reference number in the Australian tax and superannuation systems. It is free to apply for a TFN. If you want to defer your student contribution fees through HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, you must submit your TFN via the eCAF before the census date. If you don’t have a TFN, you need to apply for one through MyGov and provide proof of application before the census date.

Note: Always keep your TFN secure and never email it to the University. Supplying a TFN that isn’t yours is a criminal offense.

Helpful links

  • Enrolment Page – Find instructions on how to add or drop subjects and apply for a Leave of Absence.
  • Fees Page – Learn about eligibility to defer your tuition fees, payment methods, and how to access electronic Statements of Account and eCAFs.
  • Changing Residency Status Page – Get step-by-step guidance on changing your residency status, including where to send certified copies of required documents if you’re unable to visit Student Central.