Resources for international students under 18
Starting university is a big step – but you won’t be doing it alone. We're here to support you every step of the way.
If you are under 18 years of age and planning to move to Australia for your studies, you will need to take a few extra steps to make sure you're safe and well supported.
Before your student visa can be granted, you will need to get your accommodation and welfare arrangements approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
You have three options for your living arrangements:
Your parent or guardian must apply for a visa that allows them to remain in Australia until you turn 18, such as a Student Guardian visa or Visitor visa.
Learn about eligible guardians
Your relative must be over 21, be of good character and hold an eligible visa that allows them to stay in Australia until you turn 18.
Learn about eligible guardians
You'll need to obtain a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) from UNSW and participate in the UNSW Under 18 Care Program.
Learn about UNSW care arrangements
See also
If you are not living with a parent or approved relative, you will need to request care arrangements through UNSW.
This means UNSW formally agrees to take responsibility for your accommodation and welfare until you turn 18 (as required for your student visa).
As part of your care arrangements with UNSW, you must:
Live in UNSW-approved accommodation (e.g. New College, Iglu Redfern, Iglu Central, Scape Kensington, Scape Darling House or Scape Darling Square)
Participate in the UNSW Under 18 Care Program until you turn 18.
📄 Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW)
Once your offer is accepted and care arrangements are approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter to include in your visa application.
Your CAAW begins 14 days before term starts and ends either on your 18th birthday or 7 days after your program finishes (whichever comes first).
The fee for processing your CAAW is:
Please note: If you withdraw after receiving a CAAW, UNSW will cancel your CAAW and notify the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of the cancellation.
Our Under 18 Care Program is designed to give you support, structure and community as you settle into university life.
📋 The program is available to students who:
Will be under 18 when entering Australia to begin a course at UNSW
Are post-Foundation Studies students staying in their selected Undergraduate Program (as listed on their Provisional Offer)
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 details, download the Care Program information booklet.
You and your parent or legal guardian must fill out the UNSW Under 18 Care Program Application Form.
Fees for the UNSW Under 18 Care Program
From the beginning of your CAAW until you turn 18, you will need to pay a fee of:
Payments can be made online via the application form using MasterCard, Visa or American Express. A receipt will be emailed to you automatically.
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If you withdraw before care arrangements begin, you will receive a full refund minus the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) registration fee.
If you choose to discontinue with the Care Program after arrangements begin, you must give ten working days of notice. After that, we will refund any unused portion of the Care Program fee.
As an under-18 international student in Australia, there are some important things you need to do. These responsibilities are in place to help keep you safe and supported while you are settling into life in a new country.
What's expected of you
🛬 When you first arrive
- Notify International Student Compliance of your arrival details and flight e-ticket via the Notice of Arrival form
- Book the airport pick-up service
- Go directly to your approved accommodation upon arrival
- Register at the Welcome Centre within 24 hours of arriving
- Attend the Official Welcome and Under-18 Induction Day
- Complete the Online Safety and Wellbeing Tutorial
- Attend orientation and faculty welcome events.
📋 While you're in the Care Program
- Keep your contact details on myUNSW up to date (this is a visa requirement)
- Check your UNSW email regularly
- Meet fortnightly with your ISA to discuss academic and personal wellbeing
- Stay in approved accommodation until you turn 18
- Follow your accommodation provider’s rules
- Notify your ISA and complete a Vacation/Pre-departure Form or Overnight Stay Form if leaving your accommodation temporarily, including for:
- Trips home during breaks
- Overnight stays with a parent or guardian
- Holidays with family.
- Living arrangements
- Student visa & arrival to Australia
- Under 18 Care Program
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Yes – if your aunty or uncle is a blood relative and meets the Department of Home Affair's requirements, you do not need to organise care arrangements with UNSW.
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Yes, but only with approval. Speak to the Under 18s Program Coordinator before making any changes to your Care Program.
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You will need permission to change your care and living arrangements.
Please reach out to your Under 18s Program Coordinator first.
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You must apply for the UNSW Care Program and update your arrangements with the Department of Home Affairs.
If you don’t update your details, your visa and your guardian’s visa may be cancelled.
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Yes – even if you will turn 18 during your first week or term at UNSW, you will still need a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter to apply for a student visa.
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Check out our guide to starting your studies in Australia, which includes a detailed arrival checklist, to understand when it's best for you to arrive in Sydney.
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You will need to complete Form 157N from the Department of Home Affairs and have it signed by a parent or guardian to confirm you will arrive after your 18th birthday.
If you don't complete this form, the Department of Home Affairs may request more information and delay your student visa request.
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Let both your accommodation provider and the Under 18s Program Coordinator know that you're staying with your parents for the first few days. You will need to include a written notice from your parent or guardian confirming your living arrangements for the first few days.
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Possibly – UNSW may approve earlier care arrangements in special circumstances.
Please contact the Under 18s Program Coordinator for further information.
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Yes. To assist you make a successful transition to UNSW, we have a range of under-18 student orientation activities during O-Week.
You will get a detailed explanation of the requirements of your Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) in our Under 18 International Student Induction.
This information is also to you sent via email from the Under 18s Program Coordinator.
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Contact your ISA immediately to reschedule.
Ongoing absences may be reported to the Department of Home Affairs and impact your visa.
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At UNSW, you will be welcomed into a supportive community from the moment you arrive. We have:
- A free airport pickup service to help you get safely to your accommodation
- A friendly Welcome Centre to guide you through your first four weeks
- Peer mentoring to help you settle into student life
- Access to the Student Life team and your dedicated ISA whenever you need advice, encouragement or just someone to talk to.
Need support as an under-18 student?
For advice and support about under-18 visa applications, care arrangements, moving to Australia by yourself and everything else, send an email to under18@unsw.edu.au.