Unique Student Identifier

From 1 January 2023, all higher education students, including those who commenced prior to 2021, must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to:

be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) and Commonwealth financial assistance (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, OS-HELP, SA-HELP)
graduate and receive their award. This includes onshore international students and Higher Degree by Research students.

Offshore international students do not require a USI if they completed all their study outside of Australia.

International higher education students who started their study onshore in Australia before 1 January 2023, but have returned to their home country to complete their studies are automatically exempt from needing a USI

A USI is a student's lifelong education number.

Step One: Apply for a USI

Step Two: Provide your USI to Flinders

Step One: Apply for a Unique Student Identifier

Applying for a Unique Student Identifier (USI) is fast and free and you keep the same USI for life. You apply for a USI online and it only takes five minutes. You will need to provide identification to apply for a USI. The following are acceptable forms of ID (you need to provide at least one):

Australian Passport
Non-Australian Passport (with Australian Visa)
^{You must land in Australia and go through customs before you can create a USI using your non-Australian passport and visa as a form of ID.}
Australian Birth Certificate
Australian Driver's Licence
Certificate of Registration by Descent
Centrelink Concession Cards
Citizenship Certificate
ImmiCardAustralian Passport

Apply for a USI

Already have a USI?

If you have studied a VET course in the last five years, including while at secondary school, you may already have a USI. If you think you may have one but aren’t sure, you can check by visiting Find your USI.

If you already have a USI, you still need to provide this to Flinders prior to your first Census date. Please see step two, for details on how to do this.

Find your USI

* Please be aware that from 1 January 2023 all higher education students (including those who commenced prior to 2021) must have a USI to graduate and receive their testamur. Therefore, even if you do not plan to seek Commonwealth support or financial assistance, it is recommended you follow the quick and easy process of applying for a USI online and provide it to Flinders. This includes international students and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students.

Step Two: Provide your Unique Student Identifier to Flinders

Once you have followed the quick, free and easy process of applying for a Unique Student Identifier (USI) online, you need to provide this number to Flinders. Select the type of student you are below, for more information on how to do this.

Are you a domestic or international student?

Domestic students

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student, or a full fee paying student and would like to defer your fees to the government, you must provide your USI to Flinders in the Student System.

To do this:

Log in to the Student System.
Go to My Tasks.
Enter your USI in the Commonwealth Assistance Forms (CAF) displayed on the screen.
Submit the form to provide your USI.

Depending on the type of student you are, and the fees you wish to defer, you'll need to complete one (or more) of the following forms: Commonwealth Assistance Form (for Commonwealth Supported Students and/or HECS-HELP support), SA HELP form (if deferring Student Services and Amenities Fees), FEE HELP (for full fee paying students wishing to defer fees) or OS HELP (for assistance to complete study overseas).

For more information, visit domestic student financial assistance.

How do I know if I'm Commonwealth supported?

‘Commonwealth supported’ means the cost of your study is shared between the Australian Government and you. Visit the link below for more information.

Commonwealth supported students

Please note:

If you don't provide your USI to Flinders prior to your first topic’s census date, you won't be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or Commonwealth financial assistance (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, OS-HELP or SA HELP).

Student System

Need help?

Contact Flinders Connect with all your enquiries. We are located on Level 0, Central Library, Bedford Park campus.

*Studying outside Australia? See information about calling from overseas

1300 354 633

Ask Flinders

Flinders Connect

More information?

For more information about the Unique Student Identifier (USI), including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit the Australian Government USI website.

USI website