Student Carers

• under a contract of service or a contract for the provision of services, or
• in the course of doing voluntary work for a charitable, welfare or community organisation, or
• as part of the requirements of a course of education or training

In addition to the above, a person is not a carer of another person for the purposes of the Act merely because the person:

• is the spouse or de facto partner of the person, or
• is the parent, guardian, child or other relative of the other person, or
• lives with the other person.

A Carer Verification Statement (CVS) is a document established with the Student Welfare Service that confirms a students caring responsibilities as defined by the  Carers Recognition Act 2010.

A CVS can be used as evidence of extenuating circumstances to support:

• An extension request for an assessment task on the first occasion. If a second extension is needed, a Special Consideration eForm will need to be lodged with additional supporting evidence.
• A Change of Tutorial Application where a suitable alternative may be available

You can apply for a Carers Verification Statement (CVS) at any time during your studies if you are a carer of another person as defined by the Carers Recognition Act 2010.

The definition of Carer is as defined in the Carer Recognition Act 2010. For the purpose of the Act carers are people who provide personal care, support and assistance to another individual in need of support due to disability, medical condition, including terminal or chronic illness, mental illness or is frail and aged.

You can apply for a Carers Verification Statement (CVS) through the Student Welfare Service by contacting welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au or phoning 1300 668 370.

To obtain a CVS you must provide the Student Welfare Service:

• Carer Registration form PDF (PDF, 89.61 KB) completed by a Registered Health Professional, OR
• Proof that you are in receipt of a Centrelink Carer Payment or Carer Allowance

If you are currently engaged with the Counselling or Disability Service on a regular ongoing basis, then your Counsellor or Disability Advisor may be able to assist you to apply for a CVS.

The Student Welfare Service will make contact with you via email following submission of your request for a CVS and be your contact point for any support and enquiries.

A valid Carers Verification Statement (CVS) issued by the Student Welfare Service can be used as evidence of extenuating circumstances to support:

• An extension request for an assessment task on the first occasion. If a second extension is needed, a Special Consideration application will need to be lodged with additional supporting evidence.
• A Change of Tutorial Application where a suitable alternative may be available

Using your CVS - Western Sydney University Students

• Extension Request
  If you are a Western Sydney University Student to apply for an extension you must complete the Request for Extension form and provide a copy of your CVS as evidence of your circumstances.
  
  More information is available in the Guidelines for Students -  Assignment Extensions published with the Assessment Policy
• Change of Tutorial Application
  If you are a Western Sydney University Student to request a tutorial change you must complete the Change of Tutorial form and provide a copy of your CVS as evidence of your circumstances. All effort will be made to accommodate requested changes but there is no guarantee that changes can be accommodated.
  
  More information is available on the Changing Tutorials page.

Using your CVS - Western Sydney College Students

• Extension Request
  If you are a Western Sydney College Student to apply for an extension of up to 48 hours for an hand in assignment (including Turnitin assignments) you must complete the online Applications for Assignment Extension eForm. When you complete the application if you have a CVS please include in question  8. What is the reason for the extension: ‘I have carers responsibilities as per my CVS’, there is no requirement to provide any further information.
  
  More information is available in the Guidelines for Students – Extension Guidelines for Students
• Change of Tutorial Application
  Western Sydney College Students with caring responsibilities who are having difficulty with their timetable should contact Student Central on the Student infoline 1300 668 370 (select option 4 then 3) to see if their timetable can be changed.

If your timetable can not be changed and you have a CVS your request will be logged and it will be noted that you have Carers Verification Statement in place. All effort will be made to accommodate requested changes but there is no guarantee that changes can be accommodated.

Once you have a Carers Verification Statement (CVS), it will continue to be valid for

• 12 months from the date of issue, OR, if less than 12 months duration;
• For the duration of the condition as determined on the Carer Registration form PDF (PDF, 89.61 KB) completed by the Health Practitioner

If your Caring Responsibilities continue after the expiry date of the CVS you will need to contact the Student Welfare Service, who will assist you to apply for a new CVS.

If your Caring responsibilities change or cease, you will need to make contact with the Student Welfare Service to provide an update on your circumstances.

The Student Welfare Service has professionally trained staff to support student carers. Welfare Officers assist student carers in managing caring responsibilities alongside studies as well as providing information and referral to other specialist services.

Carer Support Services in NSW:

• Carers NSW: 1800 242 636
• Young Carers/Carers NSW: 1800 242 636
• Young Carers Network