International students and students studying overseas

International students

International students must have a USI when studying vocational education and training (VET) and higher education in Australia.

You can only create a USI once you have arrived in Australia. 

Before arriving

Before arriving in Australia, you can:

• enrol to study without a USI
• let your education or training provider know you will create a USI after you have entered the country.

You are not required to provide a USI at enrolment because you cannot create one until you enter Australia.

On arrival

After arriving in Australia, you can:

• use your Australian visa and non-Australian passport to create a USI
• share your USI with your education or training provider
• update your personal details on your USI.

Departing Australia

A USI cannot be created after you depart Australia.

After leaving Australia:

• you may not be able to graduate or receive a statement of attainment if you leave Australia and have not created a USI
• your Australian visa cannot be used as verifiable identification (ID) to create a USI or update personal details.

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 valid Australian ID.

Permanent residents currently overseas

If you are an Australian permanent resident currently overseas, you can create a USI outside of Australia if you can verify your identity with a valid Australian issued ID (e.g. a Medicare card or driver’s licence).

If you do not hold a valid Australian issued ID, you will need to be in Australia to create your USI using your passport and Australian visa.