International Students: Under 18 International Students

The UNSW Under 18 Care Program is available to students who;

1. will be under 18 when entering Australia to begin a course at UNSW
2. are post Foundation Studies students remaining in their selected Undergraduate Program (as listed on their Provisional Offer)
3. do not need a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) in order to meet Immigration Department student visa requirements

 The UNSW Under 18 Care Program includes:

• Under 18 Orientation workshops and programs
• Regular meetings with a Student Support Advisor to assist academic and social adjustment
• An assigned cultural mentor to help during the transition to study at UNSW

For more detailed information about the UNSW Under 18 Care Program refer to the Care Program information booklet.

To apply for the UNSW Under 18 Care Program

1. You and your parents or legal guardian must complete the UNSW Under 18 Care Program Application Form 
2. Pay FEES 
   A fee for the UNSW Under 18 Care Program of $8 a day from the beginning of the term until you turn 18 years of age.

How to make a payment for the Under 18 Care Program

Payment can be made online via the form UNSW Under 18 Care Program using MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Once payment is complete, a receipt will be forwarded to your nominated email address. You do not need to inform us that payment has been made.

Refunds

If a student enrols in the UNSW Under 18 Care Program and subsequently wishes to withdraw, they must notify the International Student Compliance team by email [email protected]. A full refund will be made if written notification of withdrawal is received before the start of the UNSW Under 18 Care Program. After this date, unused portions of the UNSW Under 18 Care Program fee will be refunded. Please note that students are required to give ten (10) working days' notice if they are discontinuing in the UNSW Under 18 Care Program.

Transitioning from UNSW Global Foundation Studies on a Package Offer

If a student is on a packaged offer from UNSW College Foundation Studies, they would have been issued a conditional Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW). In order to meet the conditions of the CAAW, they will need to apply for the UNSW Under 18 Care Program prior to starting their course at UNSW.

If a student wishes to change their Program from the one on their original conditional offer, they will need to apply for both a new CAAW from UNSW and the UNSW Under 18 Care Program before accepting the new offer.

Transitioning from another registered provider

UNSW does not accept responsibility for an under 18 student's accommodation and welfare arrangements before the commencement date on the CAAW. The CAAW begins 14 days before the commencement of the term.

Option 1 - Live in Australia with a parent/legal guardian or relative approved by Immigration Department.

For more information about this option please refer to the Immigration Department.

If you are living in Australia with a parent/legal guardian or relative approved by Immigration Department please complete the Under 18 International Students Living with an Approved Parent/Legal Guardian or Relative Notification Form before you accept your offer. You are also eligible to enrol in the UNSW Under 18 Care Program.

OR

Option 2 - Live in Australia unaccompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a relative approved by Immigration Department and have a Care Arrangement approved by UNSW (fees apply). The Under 18 Care Arrangement includes the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter and the UNSW Under 18 Care Program.

This option requires UNSW to approve the student’s accommodation and welfare arrangements.

Under 18 Care Arrangement with UNSW requires students to:

1. Live in UNSW approved accommodation at either New College @ UNSW Campus, Iglu Redfern, Scape Darling House or Scape Darling Square

2. Participate in the UNSW Under 18 Care Program until you turn 18 years of age.

Students who are accepted for UNSW Under 18 Care Arrangement will receive a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter after they have accepted their offer to UNSW. The CAAW is then presented to the Immigration Department when applying for a student visa.

If you turn 18 before or on your arrival date in Australia you can still lodge your visa application before your 18th birthday, however;

1. You must include a Student guardianship arrangements 157N form with your visa application.
2. You must complete questions 1-8 in the 157N Form and tick 'YES' for question number 8 of the form- that you will arrive in Australia after your 18th birthday. 
3. Your parent/s or legal guardian must sign the 157N Form.
4. If you tick 'NO' in the form- that you intend to arrive in Australia before your 18th birthday, Immigration Department will ask you further questions in regards to your welfare.

1. You and your parents or legal guardian must complete the following online forms and upload as directed;

• Option 2 to complete Under 18 Care Arrangement form and the online accommodation application form for New College @ UNSW Campus, Iglu Redfern, Scape Darling House or Scape Darling Square.
• If New College @ UNSW Campus, Iglu Redfern, Scape Darling House or Scape Darling Square is considered unsuitable, parents/guardians should contact the the Under 18s Program Coordinator at [email protected].

2. Pay FEES
The Under 18 Care Arrangement includes:

1. • A fee for the CAAW of $150
   • A fee for the UNSW Under 18 Care Program of $8 a day from the beginning of the CAAW period until you turn 18 years of age

Payment can be made online via the form Under 18 Care Arrangement Application using MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Once payment is complete a receipt will be forwarded to your nominated email address. You do not need to inform us that payment has been made.

Refunds

If a student enrols in the Under 18 Care Arrangement and subsequently wishes to withdraw, they must notify International Student Compliance by email [email protected]. A full refund minus the CAAW registration fee (AUD$150) will be made if written notification of withdrawal is received before the start of the care arrangements. After this date, unused portions of the UNSW Under 18 Care Program fee will be refunded. Please note that students are required to give ten working days' notice if they are discontinuing from the UNSW Under 18 Care Program.

If a student who has been issued with a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) by UNSW withdraws from the UNSW Under 18 Care Program, the University will cancel the CAAW and notify Department of Home Affairs that these care arrangements have ceased.

When will I receive the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) and Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) I want to apply for a student visa as soon as possible?

International Student Compliance staff will assess your application, if it meets the requirements your online application will be approved and you will be sent the CAAW and CoE. If it does not meet the requirements you will be notified.

What do I need to do as an under 18 student with a Care Arrangement?

1. Advise International Student Compliance team of your arrival details in Sydney by completing the Notice of Arrival form. Please also include a copy of your flight e-ticket.
2. Book an airport pick up service
3. On arrival in Sydney go directly to your approved accommodation
4. Within 24 hours of arriving in Sydney come to the Welcome Centre to register your arrival
5. Register and attend the Term 1 Official Welcome to Undergraduate Students
6. Attend the Under 18’s Induction Day during orientation prior to the start of the term and meet your assigned International Student Support Advisor. International Student Support Advisors are professional staff with significant experience working with and supporting younger international students. You will meet with the same International Student Support Advisor until you turn 18 years of age. When you turn 18 you will not be required to attend compulsory meetings. However, you can stay in touch with your International Student Support Advisor throughout your studies at UNSW.
7. Attend Orientation and your faculty welcome/s
8. Activate your university email account and check it regularly for scheduled meetings
9. Book in fortnightly (every 2 weeks) meetings with your assigned International Student Support Advisor. At these meetings you will discuss your academic progress, your transition to living independently in Sydney, friendships and any challenges you may be experiencing in adjusting to your new environment
10. Stay at your approved accommodation until turning 18
11. Abide by the rules and conditions at your UNSW accommodation, Urbanest or Homestay
12. Let your International Student Support Advisor know the departure and return dates for any times you will be away from your approved accommodation. This includes;
    1. Returning to your home country during the Term Breaks or Summer/Winter Vacations. Complete a Vacation/Pre-departure Form, attach your eticket and  an Overnight Stay Form for your Accommodation Provider and submit to your Advisor for approval. OR
    2. Staying with a parent, grandparent or  sibling over the age of 18 on a Friday or Saturday night (during the term ). Complete an Overnight Stay Form for your Accommodation Provider and submit to your Advisor for approval. OR
    3. Staying in Australia with a parent, grandparent or sibling over the age of 18 during the Term Breaks or Summer/Winter Vacations. Complete a Vacation/Pre-departure Form, attach your eticket and an Overnight Stay Form for your Accommodation Provider and submit to your Advisor for approval.
13. Complete a Vacation/Pre-departure Form prior to the term break and end of term breaks
14. Update current contact details – address, email, mobile and home phone number on myUNSW as required by student visa conditions
15. Once you turn 18, an End of Care Arrangements letter will be provided to you. The letter will advise that you are no longer bound by the arrangements, including residing at prearranged accommodation, attending regular meeting with the International Student Support Advisor, seeking approval for any change of accommodation, care or holiday arrangements and the provision and exchange of personal information. However as an international student, you must still continue to comply with the conditions of your student visa.

What do I need to do as an under 18 student enrolled in the Care Program?

1. Advise International Student Compliance team of your arrival details in Sydney by completing the Notice of Arrival form. Please also include a copy of your flight e-ticket
2. Within 24 hours of arriving in Sydney come to the Welcome Centre to register your arrival
3. Register and attend the Term 1 Official Welcome to Undergraduate Students
4. Attend the Under 18’s Induction Day during orientation prior to the start of the term and meet your assigned International Student Support Advisor. International Student Support Advisors are professional staff with significant experience working with and supporting younger international students. You will meet with the same International Student Support Advisor until you turn 18 years of age. When you turn 18 you will not be required to attend compulsory meetings. However, you can stay in touch with your International Student Support Advisor throughout your studies at UNSW.
5. Attend Orientation and your faculty welcome/s
6. Activate your university email account and check it regularly for scheduled meetings
7. Book in fortnightly (every 2 weeks) meetings with your assigned International Student Support Advisor. At these meetings you will discuss your academic progress, your transition to living independently in Sydney, friendships and any challenges you may be experiencing in adjusting to your new environment.
8. Once you turn 18, an End of UNSW Under 18 Care Program letter will be provided to you

• UNSW International Students Under the Age of 18 years - Welfare, Support and Accommodation Arrangements Procedure.
• Accommodation and Welfare Requirements for Overseas Students factsheet, this factsheet outlines three options for acceptable arrangements for students aged under 18 years, as per mandatory student visa requirements.
• For visa information please refer to the Australian Government Office.
• For further information about a CAAW letter please email: [email protected]