Welfare arrangements for students under 18

In order for the Department of Home Affairs to process your visa application, you must show evidence that you have organised one of the following living arrangements:

Option 1 – Living with a parent, legal guardian or nominated relative

If you choose to live with a parent, legal guardian or suitable relative (nominated by a parent or legal guardian and subject to approval by the Department of Home Affairs), you will need to submit:

• evidence of your application for a Student Guardian visa; and/or

• details of your living arrangements while in Australia. 

Note: If you choose this option, you will not require a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter from UTS.

Option 2 – Living in UTS-approved accommodation

If you choose to live in UTS-approved accommodation with UTS-approved welfare arrangements, UTS will issue the CAAW letter. By issuing this letter, UTS assumes responsibility for your welfare in Australia until you turn 18, complete your course, or leave the country permanently, whichever occurs first.

For all students under 18, regardless of their selected accommodation and welfare arrangements, UTS will:

• as part of Orientation, cover important welfare information such as adjusting to life in Australia, how to seek assistance in emergency situations, how to report incidents, Australian laws etc.; and

• assist students to access other support services where necessary.

Where UTS has issued a CAAW letter for a student, UTS and UTS College will:

• have staff available to meet with students to discuss their welfare and academic progression; and

• maintain regular contact with the accommodation/welfare provider to ensure the student's needs are being met.

The start date of the CAAW, for both homestay and residential accommodation, will be 7 to 14 days prior to your course commencement. The CAAW will cover the duration of your enrolment plus 7 days, or until you turn 18 years of age, whichever occurs first.

Note: You must not arrive in Australia before the start date noted on your CAAW letter, as this is a condition of your visa. Breaching this visa condition may lead to the cancellation of your visa by the Department of Home Affairs.

UTS has nominated its partner provider UTS College (Insearch Limited) (opens an external site) to provide the administration, selection, allocation and monitoring of accommodation and welfare arrangements to international students under 18.

Accommodation and welfare bookings must be made in advance for UTS to issue the CAAW letter and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The UTS College accommodation team will contact you and assist you in booking your preferred accommodation and welfare arrangements.

Step 1 – Accept the offer and indicate your accommodation preference

On the UTS acceptance form (included in the Letter of Offer), indicate that you wish to stay in UTS-approved accommodation and select your preferred accommodation and welfare arrangement.

The acceptance form will outline the applicable Under 18 Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee (A$550).

Step 2 – Complete and submit the required documents

Complete the Under 18 Accommodation and Welfare Arrangement form (PDF, 700kB).

Gather this form, the signed acceptance form and evidence of payment for both the tuition fee and the Under 18 Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee.

Send all these documents as email attachments to reps@uts.edu.au 

Step 3 – Make your accommodation and welfare arrangements

The UTS College accommodation team will contact you with instructions on how to make appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements with UTS-approved providers.

Once the payment, acceptance form and accommodation and welfare arrangements have been finalised, the CoE and CAAW will be issued and sent to you.

UTS College works with the International Student Alliance (ISA) (opens an external site) Guardian & Welfare Service to provide guardianship for students under the age of 18. ISA offers a national network of professional carers who support and mentor students studying in Australia.

Students under 18 who choose to live in UTS-approved accommodation must enter into welfare arrangements with ISA Guardians & Welfare Services. The UTS College accommodation team will forward your details and communicate with the primary contact on your application form to request relevant documents to proceed with the application. 

An administration fee of approximately A$300 is required as per the ISA Guardian contract. The monthly fee for welfare services ranges from A$350, depending on the length of the booking.

Note: Your welfare arrangement must begin between 7 to 14 days prior to the start of your course and continue until you turn 18 years old.

UTS-approved accommodation includes homestay and residential accommodation.

Option 1 – Homestay

Living with a local family is a great way to experience life in Australia and practise your spoken English. All of our homestays have been specially chosen to ensure that you're provided with a safe and supportive home environment. Each home is within 45-60 minutes’ travelling time from campus, in a variety of locations around Sydney.

Why choose homestay?

• Make new friends – Many of our homestay students stay in touch with their Australian host families long after they leave.
• Practise your language skills – If you're learning English its a great way to practise your language skills every day in a fun and relaxed home environment.
• An authentic experience – You'll experience what its really like living with an Australian family. You can learn all about their family life and values, interact with people of different ages and share their culture and interests.
• A caring environment – You’ll have a family to look out for you while you are here.

Homestay provider fees (including GST) 2024

Visit the UTS-approved provider sites below for more information about fees. 

Australian Homestay Network (opens an external site)
Global Experience (opens an external site)
Study Vision (opens an external site)

How to book a homestay

1. Review and complete the Homestay Terms and Conditions.
2. Follow UTS College's instructions and arrange accommodation directly with Australian Homestay Network (AHN); Global Experience (GE) or Study Vision (SV).
3. Arrange guardianship services with ISA. The contract should start at least 7 to 14 days before the course commencement date.
4. Pay the fee outlined in the offer, including A$550 Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee.
5. Arrange airport pickup with the homestay provider.
6. Send the homestay booking and airport pickup confirmation (i.e guarantee letter), ISA contract and signed Homestay Terms and Conditions by email to:
   
   UTS College: accommodation@utscollege.edu.au; and
   UTS U18 team: under18intstudent@uts.edu.au
7. The UTS College and UTS U18 team will assess the application and approve the issuance of CAAW accordingly.

Note: The student/agent must submit the visa confirmation and flight details to the airport pickup provider, UTS College and UTS U18 team at least two weeks before arrival for airport pickup booking.

Have questions about homestay?

Contact the providers directly for booking enquiries.

Australian Homestay Network
T: 1300 024 628

Global Experience
T: +61 2 9264 4022

Study Vision
T: +61 2 9669 5225

Checklist for CAAW

• Read and sign the Homestay Terms and Conditions
• Homestay booking confirmation with airport pickup arrangement
• Welfare arrangement contract with ISA
• A$550 Under 18 Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee.

Additional information

• Any refund requests regarding an Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee paid to UTS will be handled in accordance with the Protocol on refund of fees for international students.
• You may choose to remain in this accommodation arrangement after you turn 18 years of age.
• Under 18 students must use UTS-approved airport pick up and arrange airport pick up service directly with a homestay provider.
• The homestay provider will visit the home every 6 months until the student turns 18. This is to follow up on a student’s wellbeing and to obtain feedback on their host and their general experience with their homestay.
• If you are under 18, you must comply with homestay rules, guidelines, regulations and legislation. Your curfew is 10pm Monday to Sunday unless alternative arrangements have been agreed to with the UTS U18 team.
• If you are under 18, you cannot sleep at another person's house or travel within Australia. If your parents are visiting and you wish to stay with your mother or father, you can apply to the UTS U18 team for a short stay with your parents.
• If you defer, suspend or cancel your enrolment, the Department of Home Affairs must be advised.
• All students agree to our Homestay Terms and Conditions.
• All homestay hosts and other residents over 18 must hold a current Working with Children Check clearance.

Homestay etiquette

In order to make your Homestay more enjoyable, please remember to:

• abide by the rules of the family
• be considerate and respectful towards the family and keep noise to a minimum after 8.30pm
• allow the family to help you clean your room once a week
• ask for permission before inviting friends to the homestay
• offer to help the family with light household duties
• inform the family if you will be late for dinner
• pay for any damage done to the family’s property
• secure all valuables, money, passport and airline tickets in a safe place (do not keep large amounts of cash)
• spend no longer than 10 minutes in the bathroom when showering and leave the bathroom tidy
• pay for all telephone calls made on the family’s telephone before moving out of the homestay
• complete any homework tasks; and
• remain in your UTS-approved homestay until a move is approved.

In addition, smoking and consumption of alcohol in the house is not permitted.

Option 2 – Residential accommodation

UTS College engages in residential accommodation services offered by private providers. This accommodation is situated within a short walk of the UTS campus.

Scape is one of Australia’s largest providers of student accommodation. UTS has arrangements with two locations: Scape Darling Square and Scape Darling House. Both are purpose-built, featuring ultra-modern facilities including study areas, collaboration zones and social spaces to connect with friends. Providing all the comforts of home in a safe, community-style setting, Scape has everything you need. If its your first time living away from home, you will enjoy a great student lifestyle experience while you study.

What does Scape offer?

• Safety and security with swipe card access and CCTV

• 24/7 dedicated onsite team

• Electricity and water included in your rent

• Study/conference rooms

• iMac computer lab

• Big screen TV and games room

• Secure bike storage

• Intelligently designed apartments that combine style and practicality

• Modern coin-operated laundry

• 24/7 gym

• Rooftop courtyard with BBQ

• uLife, a monthly events calendar and social program to help you get to know Sydney and your fellow Scape students.

UTS students receive exclusive extras:

• Unlimited internet access

• Free bed linen package

• Free basic kitchenware pack.

Scape Darling Square

Located just a short walk from UTS College, Scape offers convenience and flexibility. There are plenty of international cafes and restaurants close by. Kitchen facilities are also available for you to cook for yourself or with other students in your apartment.

Room types:

• Twin share room with ensuite in an eight-person apartment

• Single room with ensuite in a five-person apartment

• Large studio with double bed

Scape Darling House

Adjoining Darling Square, Scape Darling House offers a fully catered option. The team of chefs at The Eatery will freshly prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sourcing the highest quality ingredients and creating a variety of nutritionally-balanced meals that taste delicious are a priority. There are coffee stations, freshly squeezed juices, ice cream and yoghurt, which you can eat there or take with you.

Room types:

• Twin share room with ensuite

• Single room with ensuite

Scape fee (including GST) 2024

Fees are as per the Scape contract and is dependent on the type of accommodation. Fees can vary from A$429-$729 per week.

How to book with student residential?

1. Review and complete Student residential terms and conditions.

2. Follow UTS College’s instructions and arrange accommodation directly with Scape.

3. Arrange guardianship services with ISA. The contract should start at least 7 to 14 days before the course commencement date.

4. Pay the fee outlined in the offer (including A$550 accommodation and welfare administration fee).

5. Students under 18 must have UTS-approved transport arrangements. Please arrange airport pickup and make payment with any of the providers below:
   
   Scape (add the pickup option in the portal during booking)
   Royale Limousine (email Dispatcher@royalelimousines.com.au)
   Global Experience (email accounts@globalexperience.com.au)

6. Send signed contracts (Scape and ISA), airport pickup confirmation and signed student residential terms and conditions to:
   
   UTS College: accommodation@utscollege.edu.au; and
   UTS U18 team: under18intstudent@uts.edu.au
7. The UTS College and UTS U18 team will assess the application and approve the issuance of CAAW accordingly.

Note: The student/agent must submit the visa confirmation and flight details to the airport pickup provider, UTS College and UTS U18 team at least two weeks before arrival for airport pickup booking.

Have questions about Scape?

You’re welcome to contact the Scape team at any stage.

Scape T: (03) 9977 8088
Scape E: bookings@Scape.com.au

Checklist for CAAW with student residentials

1. Read and sign the Student residential terms and conditions

2. Signed Scape tenancy contract

3. Signed ISA contract

4. Airport pickup arrangement

5. A$550 Under 18 Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee.

Additional information

• The airport pickup fee and residential accommodation fees are subject to an annual increase.

• You must enter a contract directly with Scape and ISA Guardians. You will be bound by the terms and conditions of these contracts. Relevant to this contract, additional costs may apply and are subject to annual increase.

• Any refund requests regarding the Accommodation and Welfare arrangement administration fee will be handled in accordance with the Protocol on refund of fees for international students.

• You may choose to remain in this accommodation arrangement after you turn 18 years of age.

• Under 18 students must use UTS-approved airport pickup and arrange airport pickup service with the provider.

• If you are under 18, you must comply with student residential rules, guidelines, regulations and legislation. Your curfew is 10pm Monday to Sunday unless alternative arrangements have been agreed to with the UTS U18 team.

• If you are under 18, you cannot sleep at another person's house or travel within Australia. If your parents are visiting and you wish to stay with your mother or father, you can apply to the UTS U18 team for a short stay with your parents.

• If you defer, suspend or cancel your enrolment, the Department of Home Affairs must be advised.

• All students agree to our Student residential terms and conditions.

Where UTS issues a CAAW to a student, the student must:

• not arrive in Australia prior to the commencement date listed on the CAAW. Arriving prior to this date would be in breach of the student’s visa conditions and may result in visa cancellation by the Department of Home Affairs
• advise UTS of their arrival details in Sydney
• use UTS-approved airport transfer to travel to their booked accommodation
• remain in UTS-approved accommodation until they turn 18 years of age
• update current contact details including those of their parent/legal guardian, within 7 days of arrival
• comply with applicable UTS policies and procedures, as well as any applicable third-party policies and procedures
• attend all appropriate orientation sessions relating to their accommodation and welfare services;
• not change their accommodation and welfare arrangements without approval from UTS and their parent/legal guardian
• ensure all fees relating to accommodation and welfare services are paid on time
• comply with curfew requirements; and
• not stay overnight outside their approved accommodation without prior approval.

Where a student does not meet these obligations, UTS will discuss the issue(s) with the student. If the student continues to breach these obligations, UTS will advise them that their CAAW letter may be terminated, in which case the student will need to ensure alternate accommodation and welfare arrangements are in place.

Students should refer to the UTS U18 International Student Protocol for more information.

Your contact details

You must contact the UTS Under 18 team to update your contact details within seven days of arriving in Australia, as this is a student visa requirement. Additionally, you must promptly notify any changes to your next of kin's (parent or legal guardian) contact details as soon as they occur.

Orientation

All students under 18 must attend the Essential International Advice session as part of the UTS orientation at the start of each session. These sessions cover important welfare information such as adjusting to life in Australia, how to seek assistance in emergency situations, how to report incidents, Australian laws, etc.

Note: You are required to arrive in Sydney in time for the commencement of the Essential International Advice session. Typically, this occurs in early February for the Autumn session and late July/early August for the Spring session.

Temporary absence from approved accommodation

Under the terms of the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), international students under 18 are required to reside at the address of their approved accommodation at all times and may not stay overnight at any other address without prior approval from UTS.

Requests for absences from approved accommodation will only be considered in the following circumstances (all relevant information, documentation and consent must be provided to UTS Under 18 team at under18intstudent@uts.edu.au):

• the student needs to be absent for approved University activities
• the student is travelling back to their home country; or
• the student is travelling with their parent(s)/approved temporary guardian(s).

Arrival in Australia

Once a CAAW letter is issued, the student must not arrive in Australia before the start date on the CAAW letter and prior to the commencement of the approved accommodation. Arriving in Australia without appropriate welfare arrangements is a breach of the student’s visa conditions, which may lead to cancellation of their visa by the Department of Home Affairs.

The student must provide flight details and arrange an airport pickup with the relevant provider at least two weeks prior to their departure. Additionally, they must provide both the flight details and airport pickup confirmation to UTS.

Students are obliged to use UTS-approved transport from the airport and are not permitted to make their own arrangements. Even if they are accompanied by a parent/legal guardian, the student must still use the UTS-approved transport. The parent/legal guardian can also choose to pay extra for airport pickup service to travel with the student.

Students transferring to UTS

If a student is transferring to UTS from another provider and requests UTS to issue a CAAW, UTS will ensure there is no gap in welfare arrangements. UTS will liaise with the student’s original provider and UTS College to negotiate the transition from the original provider’s CAAW to the UTS CAAW.

Note: UTS will issue CAAW from 7 to 14 days prior the course commencement. 

Therefore, if a student’s original provider does not maintain the CAAW until that period, UTS may not be able to issue a CAAW to cover the gap. In such cases, the student must return home (overseas) or have alternative arrangements in place that are approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

Changes to the CAAW letter

If a student wishes to change their accommodation and welfare arrangements because they are/will be deferring studies, returning overseas or will be cared for by a parent or nominated relative, they must:

• advise UTS and UTS College of their intention to move out of their approved arrangements in writing at least two weeks before they start their new arrangement; and
• notify UTS and provide evidence of their new arrangements.

Leave of absence and deferral

Where a student is approved for leave of absence, UTS will not maintain the CAAW. The student must return overseas or have a nominated guardian approved by the Department of Home Affairs. A new CAAW will be issued with the dates of the session the student is expected back.

Find out more about arranging leave of absence.

Where a student is offshore and defers their commencement for their first session, UTS will cancel the CAAW along with the CoE and re-issue it with the new dates of the session the student deferred to, if the student will still be under 18 on arrival in Australia.

Where a student is onshore and defers their commencement for their first session, their original provider must either extend their CAAW to cover the gap or the student must return overseas. If UTS has issued a CAAW in this instance, the CAAW will be cancelled and re-issued with the new dates of the session the student deferred to, if the student will still be under 18 on arrival in Australia.

Find out more about deferral.

Withdrawal of accommodation and welfare provisions

In certain circumstances, UTS has the right to terminate a student’s CAAW. This action will only be used as a last resort.

Circumstances under which UTS can no longer approve accommodation, welfare and support include but are not limited to:

• the student refusing their accommodation or leaving their accommodation without notice, even after UTS has exhausted all possible avenues of assisting the student to maintain appropriate arrangements
• UTS College, third party provider(s) and UTS becoming unable to maintain arrangements (e.g. termination of contract)
• the student’s enrolment being suspended or cancelled; and/or
• the student goes missing from their accommodation and cannot be found or contacted, even after UTS and UTS College have implemented their critical incident processes.

Critical incident and emergency situations

UTS has a range of procedures in place for the management of critical incidents. Students must contact UTS Security in the event of any critical incident on campus as the first point of contact (refer to section Important Contacts > Emergency Contacts below).

More information on emergencies and critical incidents can be accessed on the UTS website:

Urgent help and emergency response
Sexual assault, indecent assault & sexual harassment

Complaints and appeals

Grievances and complaints specific to accommodation and welfare services must be made to the UTS College accommodation team.

All students may submit a complaint and/or appeal directly to UTS by following the UTS Student Complaints Policy and Student Complaints Management Procedures.

If you need further information and assistance, please contact the relevant UTS International team. It is a good idea to share these contacts with your parents, family or legal guardian.

Support contacts

UTSI International Student Advisers

Once you have enrolled at UTS and are living in Australia, contact:

International Student Centre
T: +61 2 9514 1531
E: internationalstudent@uts.edu.au

For welfare and accommodation support
E: under18intstudent@uts.edu.au

UTS College accommodation team

If you have any questions relating to the accommodation and welfare services offered by UTS College, contact:

UTS College accommodation
T: +61 2 9056 4354
T: +61 2 9218 4911
E: accommodation@utscollege.edu.au

Emergency contacts

On campus call Security – 1800 249 559
Campus security staff are available 24 hours a day to assist with an emergency or safety threat.

Off campus
For serious incidents or illness dial triple zero (000) for emergency services (fire/ambulance/police/rescue).

Find out additional emergency contacts and where to get help information. 

Additional Support Services

Student Support Services
Safety and wellbeing services
Counselling services
Medical services
Campus maps and locations