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  4. International under-18 students

International under-18 students

If you will be under 18 years old when you arrive in Australia on a student visa to study at the University of Canberra (UC) or the University of Canberra College (UCC), you must have an approved welfare arrangements in place. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, and it applies even if you turn 18 after arriving but before your course begins.

Learn more about welfare arrangement options for international under-18 students

University of Canberra as your nominated welfare provider

If you choose the University of Canberra to be your welfare provider, you will receive a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) document. This means the University will be responsible for your welfare.

To ensure a smooth transition, you must ensure your welfare arrangement and arrival in Canberra is at least seven (7) days before the start date of your course as stated in your Letter of Offer.

Once you have the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) in place, the Student Wellbeing and Support (SWS) team at UC will be your primary contact until you turn 18 and ensure the following requirements come into effect, and that you will be supported through your transition to study, and throughout your study journey.

Please note that all inquiries must be sent to wellbeing@canberra.edu.au

What should I do before I start my journey?

Please refer to the following step-by-step guide to commence your journey at UC as an international under-18 student.

Please take your time to read all the information before you arrive.

  • The Student Wellbeing and Support will connect with international under-18 students at least two weeks prior to their travel to Australia. You must read the welcome email carefully to understand the requirements of the welfare arrangement and the support that is available to you.
  • The Student Wellbeing and Support team will invite you to attend an introductory 30-minute virtual meeting where key aspects of travel and accommodation requirements will be discussed. This will also be an opportunity for the students to clarify any issues or concerns prior to their travel. This meeting is a mandatory meeting, and the details will be communicated to students via their registered email addresses.
  • Read and understand international student checklist
  • Ensure you have you Overeas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in place before coming to Australia.
  • Understand settling and living in Australia and in Canberra.

All travel must be pre-approved by the University by sending your detailed travel itinerary and relevant documents (e.g. flight tickets) to wellbeing@canberra.edu.au

Once the travel itinerary is approved by the University, you must send a copy to International Student Alliance (ISA) - info@studentguardians.com and Australian Homestay Network (AHN) - canberra@homestaynetwork.org to arrange homestay and airport pick up.

  • Please note, international under-18 students must not arrive in Australia until their welfare arrangements have commenced. Please refer to your Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) to determine your welfare start date.
  • You must arrive one week before the date of your course commencement reflected in the letter of offer and be able to attend the orientation week (O Week).
  • Travel to Australia to must be by flight to Canberra. You must not have any long stopovers (not more than five hours) as part of your travel arrangements.
  • Students must email wellbeing@canberra.edu.au throughout their journey (e.g. when starting your journey from home country, arrival at transit airport and again on arrival in Canberra).
  • On arrival in Canberra, you must take the airport pick up arranged by AHN and move directly into your approved homestay. You must not make your own airport pick-up arrangements.

Once you are in Canberra, you must not travel outside of Canberra without the approval of the University. Any travel plans until you turn 18 must be submitted to wellbeing@canberra.edu.au for approval a week in advance and the outcome of the decision will be provided to the student within three working days.

Accommodation will be organised by the Australia Homestay Network (AHN), and you will stay with registered homestay provider within Canberra until you turn 18.

  • You must move into the approved homestay immediately upon arrival in Canberra.
  • Additionally, transport from the airport in Canberra to your homestay will be arranged by AHN. You must not make your own airport pick-up arrangements.
  • It is the responsibility of the students to communicate all their requirements such as dietary restrictions, and preference with AHN at the time of engaging with AHN.
  • Please be advised that the commencement date for the AHN placement report should be one week before course commencement. The end date will be the day the student turns 18.

Upon arrival in Canberra, you must inform the University and meet the Student Wellbeing and Support team.

  • You must email wellbeing@canberra.edu.au when you arrive and check in at the homestay.
  • The Student Wellbeing and Support team will organise a welcome session for all international under-18 students and an invitation will be sent out to the students' email requiring them to register for the event. This meeting is mandatory and will provide useful information to students about their course and share information about the University orientation sessions.
  • On the first day on campus, you must visit the Student Centre located in Building 1, Level B, and meet with the Student Wellbeing and Support team.
  • The Student Wellbeing and Support team will assist with your student ID, orientation week (O-Week), enrolment, getting your Unique Student Identifier (USI), updating your MyUC account and other support.

Once you commence your studies, you are required to meet with the Student Wellbeing and Support team in person once every fortnight. These meetings are designed to check-in with the student and to discuss any questions or concerns they may have regarding their studies or new life at UC.

International Student Alliance (ISA) Guardianship and Welfare Service: You will be assigned an international guardian who will contact you within 24hrs of arrival and meet with you regularly. For more information, refer to www.studentguardians.com. You will be required to register with ISA following advice from the UC Admissions team.

Australian Homestay Network (AHN): Accommodation and transport from the airport, will be organised by the Australia Homestay Network and you will stay with registered homestay provider within Canberra. Students must move into the approved homestay immediately upon arrival in Canberra. Further information can be found here - www.homestaynetwork.org. You will be required to register with AHN following advice from the UC Admissions team.

Download the Under-18 International Student check list.

Find out more about under 18 welfare arrangements at the Department of home Affairs