Changing your residency status

You can request changes to your residency or citizenship status, as these updates can affect your fee arrangement and eligibility for Commonwealth assistance and support.

You need to notify the University if:

  • You are changing from a temporary visa (including a student visa) to Australian Permanent Resident status, Humanitarian Visa Holder, Australian citizenship, or New Zealand citizenship.
  • You are a domestic student updating your residency details to either a permanent resident, Humanitarian Visa Holder, New Zealand Citizen or Australian Citizen

Confirming Proof of Residency

From time to time, the University may request you to confirm your residency. This is a legal obligation, and we will be contacting you to verify your residency/citizenship status.

To confirm your residency or citizenship status, you must provide a certified copy of one of the documents listed  below.

You can submit this documentation via the WesternNow form: Residency and Citizenship Verification Check.

Alternatively, you may visit any Student Services Hub on campus to present these documents in person.

For information on how to certify a document, please visit Certifying Documents webpage.

Important

If you fail to confirm your residency by the due date:

  • Your tuition fees may be charged at international rates.
  • A hold will be placed on your student record and your access to the Library, vUWS, and MyWestern will be restricted. These restrictions will remain in place until you provide the required documentation to confirm your citizenship.

I am an Australian Citizen

If you are an Australian Citizen, one of the following documents are required to confirm your residency status, this needs to be a certified copy

  • Australian Birth Certificate  (if both parents are born overseas we require a certified copy of at least one parent's Australian residency, i.e. Permanent Resident status or Australian Citizenship)
  • Australian Passport (identity page)
  • Australian Citizenship Certificate

I am an Australian Permanent Resident

If  you are a Permanent resident, you’ll need to log into VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) to obtain an up-to-date verification of the visa.

  • Current passport (identity page), and visa (or VEVO)

I am a New Zealand Citizen

If you are a New Zealand Citizen, one of the following documents are required to confirm your residency status, this needs to be a certified copy

  • New Zealand Passport (identity page)
  • New Zealand Birth Certificate

I am a Humanitarian Visa Holder

If you are a Humanitarian Visa Holder, the following documents are required to confirm your residency status

  • Current visa which verifies your humanitarian status

Note: If your visa is more than two years old, you’ll need to log into VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) to obtain an up-to-date verification of the visa.  

If you have questions regarding your visa or downloading a VEVO, contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) by phoning 131 881 (+61 2 6196 0196) or online at www.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Update New Residency Status

If you are an international student or a permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen and are granted Australian citizenship during your studies, you may become eligible for Commonwealth support, which alters your fee options.

Steps to Update Your Status

  1. Provide Evidence of Citizenship
    Log into WesternNow and complete the form Update Residency form
  1. Complete the Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
    Log into MySR and complete the eCAF before the next census date after receiving confirmation of your updated status.
  1. Pay Applicable Fees
    Pay any fees associated with your new status by the relevant census date, if you opted for upfront payment and have not provided a Tax File Number.

Fee Adjustments

Fee adjustments are applied from the date the University receives proof of your citizenship, not the date listed on your citizenship certificate.

As an Australian citizen, you are required to pay:

  • Student contributions for Commonwealth Supported Places or domestic tuition fees, depending on your course.
  • The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

You have the option to pay fees upfront or defer them through the relevant schemes available.

Due Date for Confirming Residency

Note that the fee adjustments apply from the next census date after submitting proof of permanent residency. Forms must be completed before 5pm on the census date of your teaching term.

If the census date falls on a weekend, applications must be completed by 5pm on the preceding Friday.

Medicine Students

  • For Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, gaining citizenship will not grant Commonwealth Supported places. You will be charged the Fee-Paying Domestic rate.
  • Commonwealth-supported places in the Doctor of Medicine and Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery are limited and fully allocated each year.
  • If you gain Permanent Residency, you will be charged the Fee-Paying Domestic rate, not the Commonwealth Supported rate.

Support

We’re here to help – please call the Student Services Hub on 1300 668 370 or email studenthub@westernsydney.edu.au for any assistance.

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.
  • Certifying Documents- Learn about what documents are required and how to submit.