Financial Support

IMPORTANT COVID-19 MESSAGE:
To keep us all safe, Student Wellbeing Services (Counselling, Disability and Welfare) are offering students the next available online appointment. If you require a face-to-face appointment, please discuss this with Wellbeing staff at the time of booking.

If you're in financial hardship due to personal circumstances or an extraordinary event (COVID19, humanitarian crisis or natural disaster) and need financial assistance for essential living costs or food security, the Student Welfare Service is here to support you.

We can provide eligible students with a voucher, Financial Grant and/or Textbook Support, as well as referrals to external services.

Please note: We’re unable to provide financial support for tuition fees or fines.

Information regarding eligibility and links to online application forms can be found below. If you would like to speak to a Welfare Officer, please book an appointment via 1300 668 370 (option 4 then option 1) or welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au

Financial Support

Financial Grant

Financial Grants are available to enrolled students in documented financial hardship to assist with education-related expenses and essential living costs such as rental arrears.

Eligibility
- Enrolled in at least one subject
- Have completed at least one session of study
- Documented hardship

How to apply
Complete the Financial Assistance application online and attach the following documents:

a) bank statements in PDF format showing up-to-date transaction history for the past three months for all accounts in your name (eg Everyday account and Savings account). Screenshots of bank statements will not be accepted.
b) proof of income (Most recent Centrelink statement and/or two most recent payslips
c) quote/ invoice for expense (eg overdue bills, rental arrears invoice)
d) Student Bank Details for Financial Assistance form

Please note: Incomplete applications will be rejected. If you’re unsure how to complete the application, please book an appointment with a Student Welfare Officer via 1300 668 370 (option 4 then option 1) or email welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au

Food Support

To provide students with food security, essential Item vouchers: are available to enrolled students in documented financial hardship to purchase essential items such as food, petrol, and medical items. To apply, book an appointment with Student Welfare via 1300 668 370 (option 4 then option 1) or email welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au

Community Dinners: The Chaplaincy Team runs weekly Community Dinners during session. These provide a great opportunity to share a nutritious meal and get to know other students.

Free Breakfast: You can also enjoy a free breakfast on your campus at participating outlets every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 8:30-10:30am during session. Learn more by logging into WESTERNLife Events with your student details.

Textbook Support

Textbook Support electronic vouchers of up to $400 in value are available to students in documented financial hardship. These can be used to purchase textbooks from any of the following retailers: Booktopia; Angus & Robertson; Pearson; Dymocks; Zookal; The School Locker; Cengage; Wiley Direct; or the Vital Source.

Eligibility
- Enrolled in the current session
- Application submitted before relevant Census Date
- Prescribed textbooks
- Documented hardship: Income of less than $750 per individual, or $1400 per family, per week.

Apply here
- Complete the online application before the relevant Census Date
- Attach current proof of income ie Centrelink statement or two most recent payslips. If you don’t receive Centrelink or an income, please provide up to date bank statements for all accounts in your name, showing up to date transaction history for the past three months in PDF format.

Maximum support
- $400 once per enrolled session.

Government Services

Centrelink - Offers a range of on-going payments to eligible students. If you're receiving a student payment, you can also access the Fares Allowance to attend compulsory activities linked to your studies and the Student Start Up loan

Revenue NSW -  A Work Development Order (WDO) can assist you to pay off or reduce a fine by up to $1000 a month by participating in an approved activity eg volunteer work; financial counselling. For more information, call 1300 138 118

Study NSW COVID19 Help Hub - Provides onshore international students impacted by COVID 19 with access to financial assistance, wellbeing services and more. Multilingual case workers are available.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment -  Access financial support if you’re unable to earn an income because you or someone you’re caring for has to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID 19.

Community Services

Ask Izzy - Access a range of support (such as food, housing, bills, No Interest Loans) from Community Services in your local area.

Welfare Rights Centre - Support for those experiencing issues with Centrelink.

The Salvation Army - Phone: 13 72 58

St Vincent de Paul - Phone: 13 18 12

Anglicare - Phone: 1300 111 278

Financial Counselling & Guidance

National Debt Help Line: Access free and confidential financial counselling to manage debt and get back on track.

Moneysmart: A government-run organisation providing information about financial literacy and services including financial counselling and crisis support.

Moneyminded: Access online resources to create a budget, reduce debt, and/or improve savings.

First Nations Foundation: Indigenous financial wellbeing organisation led by an indigenous-majority board, providing free financial literacy training via My Money Dream and more.

Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW- Free and confidential financial advice. Phone: 1300 914 408

LawAccess NSW -  Access information to assist you with financial concerns such as FineFixer and Problems with Utilities

Insider Guides - Provide up-to-date information on matters relating to international students including webinars with industry experts.

Tax Help

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides a free Tax Help program to assist those earning under $60,000 to lodge a tax return. Learn more