USI in higher education

Domestic Students

From 1 January 2023, all higher education students, including those who commenced prior to 2021, must have a USI to:

• be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) and Commonwealth financial assistance (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, OS-HELP, SA-HELP) 
• to graduate and receive their award.

International Students

International students studying in Australia with an Australian education or training provider need to get a USI to receive their award.

International students cannot create a USI until they have arrived in Australia.

Enrolment

International students studying in Australia who have not yet arrived are not required to provide a USI as a condition of enrolment as they are unable to create a USI until they have entered Australia.

The Department of Education has advised that a USI must not be a mandatory requirement at enrolment for international students.

There is no legal requirement for international students who are currently in Australia, and not accessing a CSP or Commonwealth financial assistance, to have their course enrolment cancelled if a valid USI is not provided by the census date. They do need to provide a valid USI at their earliest opportunity but no later than the point of award conferral.

If an international student is eligible for Commonwealth financial assistance, they must provide a USI before census.

This policy also applies to international students wishing to study vocational education and training (VET).

Exemptions

International students who commenced study after 1 January 2023 and will complete all or some of their studies in Australia, must have a USI. 

International students do not require a USI if they completed all their study outside of Australia.

International higher education students are automatically exempt from needing a USI if they commenced their study before 1 January 2023 and are not in Australia to receive their award. 

Students: refer to the International students and students studying overseas page for more information.  

Education or training providers: more information can be found at Exemptions from the USI.

What do students need to do? 

Students who are commencing study should: 

• check if they already have a USI (from previous vocational education or training) 
• get a USI as soon as possible 
• provide their USI to their Tertiary Admissions Centre or Higher Education Provider when requested. 

What do Higher Education Providers need to do? 

Higher Education Providers need to: 

• encourage new students to apply for a USI as soon as possible 
• request and record the USIs of commencing students on enrolment* 
• ensure any student commencing in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) has provided a USI prior to census date 
• ensure the CAF or eCAF includes the student’s USI 
• report the USI as part of the DoE reporting cycle. 

* unless the student is an international student who has not yet entered Australia