ACU welcomes applications from international students under 18 years of age and ensures that appropriate welfare and accommodation arrangements are in place in accordance with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework and Australian government requirements.

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ACU does not enrol international students who are under 17 years of age at the commencement of their program under any circumstances.

If you will be under 18 at the time of enrolment, please read the following information carefully.

Accommodation and welfare arrangements for students under 18 years of age

Students under 18 years of age who have received an offer to study and are applying for a student visa must have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements in place before the Department of Home Affairs will process their visa application.

If you will be under 18 years of age at the time of enrolment, you must have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements in place to meet Australian government requirements.

Accommodation and welfare arrangements by program

Foundation Studies

If you will be under 18 at commencement:

  • You must have approved accommodation and welfare arrangements
  • You can choose Option 1 or Option 2

All other ACU programs

If you are under 18 and applying for any other program:

  • ACU does not take responsibility for accommodation or welfare
  • ACU does not issue a CAAW
  • You must choose Option 1 (nominate a parent or eligible guardian)

In this case:

  • Your family must arrange welfare and accommodation
  • Arrangements must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs

For further information, including Form 157N (Nomination of a Student Guardian), please visit the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website.

Accommodation and welfare arrangements options

If you intend to live in Australia with a parent, legal custodian, or eligible relative (whether they are already residing in Australia or will travel with you), you must obtain approval from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for your welfare arrangements.

If you choose this option, ACU will not be responsible for your welfare and accommodation arrangements, and therefore ACU will not issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter with your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

To apply for a student visa, you will need:

  • a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE),
  • Form 157N Nomination of student guardian to your application, and
  • supporting documentation for your nominated student guardian.

For further information, visit the DHA website.

For further information about ACU courses and how to apply, please refer to ACU International website.

Available for Foundation Studies students only

ACU accepts responsibility for welfare and accommodation arrangements for Foundation Studies students. These arrangements are reviewed, approved and monitored in line with ACU Under 18 International Students policy and procedure. All accommodation and welfare arrangements must be organised through service providers approved by the University.

The University will issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter, together with your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

You must have suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements approved before the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) can process your student visa.

Admissions Process – for Foundation Studies program only

To begin your admission process and apply for the Foundation Studies program, please follow the steps below:

Explore the ACU Foundation Studies program and How to Apply pages, and carefully review the Under 18 International Students Policy and Procedure to understand course details, eligibility requirements, and your responsibilities.

You can submit your application directly through the Online Application System, or via an ACU-approved education agent in your country who can submit it on your behalf and assist you with the student visa process. We strongly recommend that international students seek guidance from an approved ACU agent due to the complexity involved in student visa applications.

If you are approved for entry into the Foundation Studies program, you will receive a Letter of Offer from us via the Online Application System outlining the program details. You must carefully read all information and meet the conditions of your offer before proceeding to the next step.

Important note:

Students under 18 years of age enrolling in the Foundation Studies program must meet all conditions outlined in the offer before the University can issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

If you will be under 18 years of age at the start of your studies and want ACU to be responsible for your welfare and accommodation arrangements, you will need to contact one of the University-approved accommodation service providers and one of the University's approved welfare service providers to confirm the arrangements before accepting your offer. You must also arrange your airport transfer with an ACU-approved service provider.

How to accept your Letter of Offer and apply for your Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter:

Review ACU’s list of approved service providers and select your preferred accommodation and airport transfer option.

Before making your decision:

  • research each provider carefully
  • compare costs, services and inclusions
  • ensure the option you choose meets your needs

You must arrange both your accommodation and airport transfer through the following ACU-approved providers.

Australian Homestay Network (AHN) for accommodation and airport transfer
Website: www.homestaynetwork.org
Email: melbourne@homestaynetwork.org or sydney@homestaynetwork.org
Phone: +61 3 9458 9000
Online Application Form

Scape Student Living
Website: www.scape.com.au
Email: bookings@scape.com.au
Phone: 1300 068 888 International: +613 9977 8088

  1. If you decide to arrange your accommodation with Scape Student Living, you must also separately arrange your airport transfer with AHN. Please click here to book your airport transfer.
  2. Select and arrange your welfare service provider from ACU’s approved list of service providers below, based on your own research of our approved service providers and review of costs/services.

    ISA Student Advocates
    Website: www.studentguardians.com/
    Email: info@studentguardians.com
    Phone: +61 3 9663 2887
    Online Application Form

    Professional Student Care (PSC)
    Website: www.pscaustralia.com.au/
    Email: info@pscaustralia.com.au
    Phone: +61 3 8863 0096
    Online Application Form

Your parent or legal guardian will need to sign a service agreement with your chosen welfare and accommodation providers and pay any applicable fees. The service providers will then forward copies of the signed agreements to the ACU International Student Support team as evidence that you have engaged their services.

To accept your offer, follow the instructions outlined in the ‘How to Accept this Offer’ section of your Letter of Offer and submit the required documents via the Online Application Portal.

Required documents

Please provide the following:

  • Signed service agreements from your approved accommodation and welfare providers
  • Confirmation of airport transfer arrangements
  • Completed Genuine Student (GS) Declaration
  • Completed Under 18 Applicant Declaration, signed by your parent(s) or legal custodian(s)
  • Identification documents for your parent(s) or legal custodian(s), and proof of relationship or custodianship
  • Completed Offer Acceptance form
  • Evidence of payment for required fees

Payments can be made online as part of the acceptance process. You must also arrange and pay separately for your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Fees and payments

View ACU’s current tuition fees on the Payments and refunds page:

Tuition fees are subject to change depending on your year of commencement. If there is any difference between the fees listed in your Letter of Offer and the University’s approved fee schedule, the approved schedule will apply.

What happens next

Once we receive your documents and your application is approved, ACU will issue:

  • your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  • your Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW)

The CAAW confirms the period during which ACU accepts responsibility for your welfare and accommodation and is provided to the Department of Home Affairs as part of your student visa application.

Important: You must not travel to Australia before the start date stated in your CAAW.

ACU’s responsibility for your welfare applies from your arrival in Australia until you turn 18, in line with student visa requirements. You may choose to continue your accommodation and welfare arrangements after turning 18.

Need help?

Student Welfare and Safeguarding

If ACU has concerns about the welfare of an under-18 Foundation Studies student for whom it has accepted responsibility, the University will follow safeguarding and escalation processes in accordance with its policies and legislative requirements.

For further information, please refer to the Under 18 International Students Policy and Procedure.

Arrival information for students under 18 years of age

Before your departure: 

  • Attend the online Pre-departure information sessions. Information about these sessions will be sent to your personal email address in the lead up to Orientation.
  • Read through the Pre-departure Guide for information to help you prepare for your travels.
  • Enrol in your course and register for Orientation.

Upon your arrival in Australia:

  • Meet with your assigned caregiver within 48 hours of your arrival in Australia.
  • Attend Orientation Day, including the Under 18 International Student session, Essential Information for International Students session, and Foundation Studies course information session.
  • Update your details in the 'My Details' section of Student Connect, including:
    • your address
    • your mobile number
    • your personal e-mail address
    • emergency contacts (including your assigned caregiver and your parents/guardian)
  • Save information on who to contact in an emergency situation in your phone.

Who to contact in an emergency 

  • First aid
    • In a life-threatening emergency situation, dial 000 (triple zero) to call emergency services.
    • You can also download the Emergency+ app to provide your location details to emergency responders.
  • SafeZone app
    • ACU staff and students are pre-registered to the free SafeZone mobile app. The app can be used on campus to call ACU Security, request first aid, or raise the alarm for emergency help.
    • All students at ACU should feel safe and respected. We expect our staff and students to behave in a manner that is always respectful and inclusive on every ACU campus. If you see or experience something that is not quite right, please let us know. You can contact a trained Safety Support Officer within the Safety Support Network at ACU. You can make a disclosure or submit a formal report using our online form, as well as learn more about your reporting options. Report an incident.
    • If you have just experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault and need immediate help:
      • call police or ambulance on 000
      • call ACU National Security Centre on 1300 729 452 or 8888 (from any internal ACU phone).
  • Welfare providers
    • ISA Student Advocates
    • Professional Student Care (PSC)

Ongoing requirements for students under 18 years of age on ACU CAAW

As a student under 18 years of age with Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), you are required to meet the following responsibilities:

  • Regular check-ins with your caregiver:
    Meet in person with your assigned caregiver at least once every two weeks.
  • Weekly communication:
    Maintain weekly contact with your caregiver (this may replace an in-person meeting if one is scheduled that week).
  • Monthly adviser meetings:
    Attend all scheduled monthly meetings with your International Student Adviser.
  • Class attendance:
    Comply with your Foundation Studies attendance requirements and inform your teachers of any absences.
  • Keep your details current:
    Ensure your personal information is always up to date in Student Connect.
  • Report any concerns:
    Notify your International Student Adviser if you experience any issues with your accommodation or welfare arrangements.
  • Stay connected:
    You are encouraged to contact your International Student Adviser at any time if you have questions, concerns, or need support.

Changes to welfare arrangements for current students under 18 years of age

Under the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) requirements, students under 18 must live at their approved accommodation address at all times. You are not permitted to stay overnight at another location without prior approval from the University.

If you need to make any changes to your welfare or accommodation arrangements, you must obtain approval from both the University and the Department of Home Affairs. This includes temporary changes, such as overnight stays or holiday visits.

For guidance or to request approval, please contact your International Student Adviser.

Forms

You should consult your International Student Adviser before submitting a request.

Holiday and excursion request form

Change of accommodation request form

Onshore student - temporary accommodation and welfare waiver

Offshore student - temporary accommodation and welfare waiver

 

What happens when a student turns 18?

Once a student turns 18 years of age, they are legally considered an adult. Any welfare arrangements that were required while the student was under 18 may no longer be mandatory. Students can choose to continue living with their approved accommodation provider, or homestay host, or they may make alternative accommodation arrangements. Students are advised to check with their accommodation provider regarding notice periods and cancellation conditions before making any changes. Students are encouraged to discuss any changes to their accommodation or welfare arrangements with the University and, where applicable, their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) before making a decision.

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