USI requirements
The following students must have a USI to receive their qualification and/or access Commonwealth financial assistance like VET student loans or HECS-HELP:
- international students studying vocational education and training (VET) or higher education in Australia
- students studying overseas with an Australian education or training provider.
Studying in Australia
If you are an international student studying in Australia with an Australian education or training provider, you must have a USI to receive your qualification.
You cannot create a USI until you have arrived in Australia.
To create your USI, you will need:
- your non-Australian passport
- your Australian visa.
Your visa becomes valid once you enter Australia and are cleared by customs. Both documents are required to create your USI.
For more details on ID requirements, visit our ID requirements page.
Planning to study in Australia but haven't arrived yet?
If you’re planning to study in Australia but haven’t arrived yet:
- contact your education or training provider to let them know you will create your USI when you arrive
- you are not required to provide a USI at enrolment because you cannot create one until you enter Australia.
International students who have not yet arrived in Australia can still enrol in VET or higher education without a USI.
Studying outside of Australia
If you are an international student who has completed all your study outside of Australia, you do not need a USI.
Studied in Australia but have since left the country?
- International higher education students who started their studies in Australia before 1 January 2023 but have since left and won’t return to Australia do not need a USI to receive their award.
- International VET students who completed part of their studies in Australia but did not get a USI will need to apply for an exemption if they are no longer in Australia and cannot create one.
For more information on exemptions and how to apply, visit our USI Exemptions page.
Australian students studying overseas
If you are an Australian student studying overseas with an Australian education or training provider, you still need a USI.
You can create your USI from overseas using your Australian passport through the Student Portal.