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Centrelink

Government-assisted financial support for Australian residents to help with living costs as a student.

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Students gathering at UNSW Sydney Kensington campus

Financial support options

Supporting documents – Proof of enrolment

When you claim a payment or service, you may be asked for some documents to support your claim.

UNSW can provide a letter to prove your enrolment status, detailing:

  • program and course names,
  • term and annual study load for the current academic year,
  • the dates of any courses you withdrew from after the census date (if applicable).

Financial help for people aged 18 to 24 and studying full time.

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Financial help for people 25 or older and studying full time in an approved course.

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A group of payments for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students to support school fees, boarding, living costs, travel and buying school materials. 

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Receive a regular extra payment to help with your study costs if you already get certain payments.

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A voluntary loan you can get up to twice a year if you’re an eligible higher education student.

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Postgraduate income assistance payments

Some master's programs are approved for income assistance payments through Youth Allowance, Austudy or Pensioner Education Supplement.

    • Master of Actuarial Studies -
    • Master of Architecture -
    • Master of Landscape Architecture -
    • Master of Biomedical Engineering - , , , , , , , , ,
    • Master of City Planning -
    • Master of Clinical Optometry -
    • Master of Commerce (Banking) -
    • Master of Commerce (Finance) - 
    • Master of Commerce (Human Resources Management) -
    • Master of Commerce (Management Accounting) -
    • Master of Financial Planning -
    • Master of Health Management -
    • Master of Information Technology -
    • Master of International Public Health -
    • Master of Interpreting -
    • Master of Planning -
    • Master of Professional Accounting -
    • Master of Psychology (Clinical) -
    • Master of Psychology (Forensic) -
    • Master of Public Health
    • Master of Teaching (Primary) -
    • Master of Teaching (Secondary) -
    • Master of Translation -
    • Master of Translation and Interpreting -
    • Juris Doctor –
  • The Department of Social Services conducts assessment rounds twice a year of master’s programs submitted by UNSW to see if they are eligible for student payments.

    To be approved, a program must be essential for entry-level employment in a specific profession and must meet the overarching criteria and one additional criteria outlined below.

    Overarching Criteria:

    • must be fully accredited, or undergoing the accreditation process, by a recognised professional, state or territory governing body; and
    • enable graduates registration and practice in, and be required for admission to, a specific profession.

    Additional Criteria:

    • minimum legal or professional educational requirement,
    • fastest pathway offered by the higher education provider,
    • only pathway offered by the higher education provider.

Need help navigating Centrelink?

The Arc Legal & Advocacy staff can give you advice about your entitlements, appeals and managing concerns about Australian government payments.