Permanent Residency and Commonwealth Support

If you were an international student and have become an Australian Permanent Resident you may be eligible for Commonwealth Support. Commonwealth Supported places (CSPs) are offered in all Undergraduate programs and in a limited range of Postgraduate Coursework programs.

Applying for Commonwealth Support

NOTE: Notify the University. Whether you are applying to UNSW or are already a student you must notify the University of any change to residency status within seven (7) days of receiving formal confirmation from the Australian Government.

Commencing students

If you are granted Australian Permanent Residency (Aus PR) or New Zealand citizenship status before the census date of the first semester of enrolment in your program, your offer/enrolment as an International student will lapse.

Depending on when you receive notification of your change of status from the government you will need to either re-apply for admission as a Domestic student or continue your enrolment in a Domestic Fee-paying place. Please read this Change of Residency information.

Please note: CSPs are limited and your eligibility is not automatic or guaranteed. International students who become Domestic students are required to compete for a place based on merit.

For more information on Commonwealth Supported places see the Government's Study Assist website.

And remember to notify the University within seven days of your change of residency.

Continuing students

If Student Administration receives your Request to Change Student Residency Status form on or before the census date of the semester in which you are enrolled you will be transferred to a Domestic Fee-paying place for that semester.

If Student Administration receives your Request to Change Student Residency Status form after the census date of the semester in which you are enrolled you will be liable for International student fees for that semester and will be transferred to a Domestic Fee-paying place for the following semester.

Please note: CSPs are limited and your eligibility is not automatic or guaranteed. International students who become Domestic students are required to compete for a place based on merit.

If you are an Undergraduate student you must apply for admission to a CSP via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for the next available intake.

Some Postgraduate Coursework programs at UNSW offer limited CSPs. If your program offers CSPs you can apply for one of these for the next available intake. Please contact the Admissions Office for advice on how to apply. See if your program offers CSPs.