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 5) 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 5) 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.

Community Breakfast: You can also enjoy free Community Breakfasts on your campus during session. Learn more by logging into WESTERNLife Events with your student details.

Textbook Support

Textbook Support electronic vouchers of up to $600 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
- You are eligible to apply for support 2 weeks before the session starts, with applications closing on 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
- $600 once per enrolled session.

Transport Support for Placement

The Welfare Service can provide financial support to eligible students required to undertake placement as per their learning guides. Students who are experiencing financial hardship can meet with a Student Welfare Officer to discuss support available.  To book an appointment call 1300 668 370 (option 5) or email welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au

Eligibility

• Enrolled in at least one subject
• Have completed at least one session of study
• Provide confirmation of an upcoming allocated placement and placement duration
• Provide bank statements in PDF format for the last month of transactions for all bank accounts to demonstrate financial hardship. Screenshots of bank account/s are not accepted.

External support

NSW Health are offering grants of up to $1,000 for clinical placements in a NSW public health facility for NSW student’s studying a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree. Grants are to assist with the accommodation and travel expenses associated with placement. Full details including eligibility criteria are available on the Undergraduate clinical placement grants 2024 webpage.

Placement grants for students

The Placements Hub was funded under the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) grants to deliver, as a pilot program, a small grants/subsidy program to support the costs of placements for students.   All Undergraduate, Honours and Coursework Postgraduate students currently enrolled (excluding staff members) are eligible to apply.

Students can apply for one grant from one of the following categories):

1. A one-off uniform subsidy up to $50
2. NSW Health student compliance required vaccinations and serology (including non-bulk billed medical fee to obtain vaccination and serology) up to $100
3. A Mask fit testing subsidy up to $50
4. Australian National Police Certificate (NPC subsidy of up to $50)
5. Working with Children Check (WWCC) initial application subsidy of up to $50

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications for Placement Grants will only be considered from students who are currently enrolled.

Students need to provide a clear scanned copy merged as one document of the following:

6. Student ID card
7. Evidence of placement (screenshot of InPlace, placement letter or placement email)
8. Evidence of student compliance assessment email (this is optional)

Receipt for one of the fundable areas.

For further information please go to the Placement funding support for students page.

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

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