International students under 18 years of age
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ANU will admit international students under the age of 18 where acceptable living arrangements have been made as outlined below. These arrangements must be finalised before visa application documentation can be issued.
These stipulations are informed by Part B, Standard 5 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018, which requires that:
- Students under the age of 18 years must have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements in place prior to applying for a student visa;
- The arrangements must be approved by the University;
- The arrangements must remain in place for the duration of the period of enrolment plus seven days or until the student turns 18; and
- Students must turn 18 by 30 November of the calendar year that they start their program.
Acceptable living arrangements
Scenario one
The student will live with a parent or eligible relative who is over the age of 21 and of good character.
This arrangement must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs, and will not require a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter from ANU.
Further information on student guardian visas can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Scenario two
The student lives in one of the approved University student residences on-campus and organise guardianship arrangements with either Professional Student Care Australia (PSC) or the International Student Alliance Student Care & Welfare Services (ISA). For semester 1 2024 the approved University residence is Ursula Hall (Main Wing). Under this option, ANU will issue a CAAW letter to you which you are required to provide to the Department of Home Affairs as part of your visa application (see details below).
Further information on the residences and the application process can be found in the Accommodation section of this site, please go to the section that relates to Ursula Hall Main Wing: Ursula Hall Main Wing - ANU
Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare letter (CAAW)
By issuing a CAAW ANU accepts responsibility for the accommodation, support and welfare of international students commencing their program(s). A CAAW may only be issued if you meet the following conditions:
- If commencing in 2023, you will be 17 years of age at enrolment and turn 18 before census date of your admit term, or have special approval from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the University Registrar and the Principal Executive Officer if you turn 18 after census date. If commencing in 2024, you must turn 18 by the 30th November of the calendar year that you start your program. If your 18th birthday falls after the census date, you will require special approval from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the University Registrar and the Principal Executive Officer.
- You accept your academic offer and meet all conditions by the due date specified on your letter of offer.
- Your parent/legal guardian has agreed in writing to accept responsibility for your welfare by completing and signing the ANU International Student Under 18 Agreement (see the 'Reference documents' panel on this page).
- You continue living in the approved accommodation until you are 18 years of age and not change that accommodation unless written agreement is obtained from your parent/legal guardian and the University Registrar.
- You make contact with the Academic Standards and Quality Office as requested.
- You act responsibly at all times, including being aware of your responsibilities under Australian law, and not participate in illicit activities or risk-taking behaviour.
- If you are living at an ANU student residence, you attend regular schedule meetings with the relevant staff member within the residential hall/college until your 18th birthday.
- You obey a curfew of 10pm and do not stay away overnight from the approved accommodation address, including travel outside Canberra for the purpose of returning home or tourism, without written approval from the student's parent/ legal guardian and the University Registrar.
The University nominates the start and end dates of its responsibility for welfare on the CAAW letter. The start date will be the Saturday prior to Orientation week, and the end date will be the duration of the period of enrolment plus seven days, or the student's 18th birthday.
The University Registrar has sole discretion in accepting the welfare arrangements for students under the age of 18. The decision of the University Registrar is final and, in some cases, will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. ANU reserves the right to rescind the welfare arrangements of any student found to have breached these conditions.
How to apply
When you apply for admission to study at the University, the Admissions Office will provide you with an ANU International Student Under 18 Agreement.
For semester 1, 2024, the deadline for applications for admission to the University for applicants under the age of 18 is the 15th December 2023. You will receive a firm acceptance deadline in your letter of offer. The parent/guardian will nominate on the acceptance form whether the student will be residing in an approved ANU student residence or the student will be residing with the parent/guardian.
On receipt of the completed ANU International Student Under 18 Agreement we will record the parent/guardian's name, home address, email address and contact phone number in the student system.
Where the student will be residing with a parent/legal guardian (ie. scenario one, above), we will proceed with finalising the student's acceptance into the program.
Where the student will be residing in approved ANU student residence (ie. scenario two, above), the request will be considered by the University Registrar. If approved by the University Registrar, we will issue a CAAW letter with a Confirmation of Enrolment certificate (CoE) certificate.
You will need to include your CAAW letter and CoE certificate in your visa application.
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