International Student Accommodation Subsidy

Eligible international students

To be eligible for the Accommodation Subsidy, an international student must:

1. be enrolled as an international student in a course delivered by a CRICOS*-registered Western Australian education provider at a campus in Western Australia, including:

• a Western Australian University
• TAFE International WA  
• a Private Registered Training Organisation
• an English Language (ELICOS) provider
• a primary or secondary school), and

2. be studying full-time, onshore (on campus) in Western Australia as at application date, and
3. have started their studies on or after Wednesday 26 October 2022, and
4. be enrolled in a course of a minimum length of at least one year/2 semesters, and
5. not have been studying any course onshore in Western Australia on or before Tuesday 25 October 2022.

*CRICOS = Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students

A Guardian can apply on behalf of international students enrolled in primary or secondary school and aged under 16 years. If approved, funds will be paid to the Guardian's Australian bank account. 

An international student is not eligible for the Accommodation Subsidy if the student:

• has previously received the International Student Accommodation Subsidy payment in Rounds 1 or 2 in 2022
• is not studying full-time
• is enrolled in a course shorter than one year/2 semesters in length
• was enrolled and studying any course onshore in Western Australia before Tuesday 25 October 2022
• is not in Western Australia, studying in person. 

Follow the steps below:

1. Go to https://ie.smartygrants.com.au/ISAS-Round3.
2. Click on the ‘Start a submission’ link.
3. Complete the application registration process. You will receive an email confirming your reference number (ISAS#).
4. Compete the online application form. You can save and return to the application form at any time before you submit the form.
5. Once your application is complete, click ‘Submit’.
6. You will receive an automated email acknowledging that your application has been received. Without this acknowledgement your application has not been submitted.

Applications open at 4pm (AWST) on Wednesday 8 March 2023 and close at 4pm (AWST) on Monday 17 April 2023, or when program funds have been exhausted, whichever date is earliest.

Students should be in Western Australia and have an Australian bank account in place before they finalise and submit their application.

Please note, as funding is capped, complete applications with all required supporting correct documentation will be prioritised for assessment in order of receipt.

Missing, incomplete or incorrect documentation supplied in the application will delay the processing of assessment and payment.

I am an international student and plan to enrol in a course commencing onshore during Semester 1, 2023. Will I be eligible for the $1,500 payment?

Yes, currently the program is in place for those students enrolling in courses commencing on or after 26 October 2022 and studying full-time for one year / two semesters. However, application for this scheme can only be made once you have arrived onshore to commence your studies.

I have been enrolled in my course with a Western Australian provider since 2022, however studied offshore in 2022 due to a visa delay. I have now arrived onshore to commence my studies in person on 26 October 2022. Am I able to apply for this fund?

Yes, the accommodation subsidy is provided to any international students commencing their studies onshore in Western Australia on or after 26 October 2022. Providing you did not undertake any studies onshore in Western Australia on or before 25 October 2022, and you meet all other eligibility criteria including length of course requirements, you are eligible to apply for this payment.

I don’t hold a student visa but I am enrolled to commence my course in 2023. Will I qualify for this payment?

Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have a confirmed full-time enrolment as an international student at an eligible institution for a period of at least one year / two semesters commencing on or after 26 October 2022 to be eligible for this program.

My enrolled course is shorter than one year / two semesters. Can I still apply?

No, current eligibility criteria for this payment requires students to be studying in Western Australia for one year / two semesters or more. Confirmed pathway enrolments may be considered.

Why is my application taking so long to process? 

The speed at which your application is assessed depends on a number of factors, including the date it was submitted and the quality of the documentation provided. If your application requires follow-up by JTSI due to the incorrect documentation or information being provided, this will delay the assessment and progression of your application. To avoid delays, please ensure your application includes all required documentation.

What is a Pathway course?

In order to meet the minimum English language requirements prior to studying at a University or VET education provider, some international students must complete an ELICOS Pathway course. This requirement is noted on the Confirmation of Enrolment issued for the University or VET course you have enrolled in.

In order to verify an applicant is undertaking an ELICOS Pathway course, additional Confirmation of Enrolment evidence will need to be provided in the application. 

What is the correct documentation I need to attach to avoid delays in the assessment and progression of my application? 

When submitting your application through SmartyGrants you will be asked to attach three key documents to verify your details and personal identity. It is important you attach the correct documents in order to avoid delays in assessing your application as eligible for payment, provided all eligibility criteria are met.

1. Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document. See the example on the Department of Home Affairs website. This is provided to you by your education provider. This document confirms the following information:

•    Your status as an international student
•    Your official name on formal documents.
•    The education provider you are enrolled at
•    The name of your course
•    How long your course will take (i.e. the start and end dates); and
•    Your student number (Student ID) as noted by your education provider

2. A current Australian Bank Statement document. This is provided to you by your bank. This document must note and confirm:

•    Your official name
•    You are the holder of an Australian bank account
•    The BSB and account number your payment will be paid into (if successful); and
•    Your current residential address is in Western Australia which matches the address you provided in your application.

See an example of an Australian Bank statement

3. An e-ticket or boarding pass document. This document confirms:
•    Your official name on formal documents
•    Your flight or travel details; and
•    Your date of arrival into Western Australia

See an example of a travel itinerary and standard boarding pass

Important: Please ensure the documents you provide match the information provided in your application. For example:
•    The name you provide in your application form should match your official name seen on the Confirmation of Enrolment, bank statement and travel documents attached.
•    The account details and residential address you provide in your application form should match the account details and address noted on your bank statement.
•    The arrival date into Western Australia you provide in your application should match the date shown on the travel documents you provide.

How will you contact me once I submit my application?

You will receive confirmation that your application has been submitted to the email you registered with. If your application requires additional information to progress evaluation, JTSI may contact you via the email you registered with from the iesupport@jtsi.wa.gov.au inbox.

If you would like some help, we will have a staff member available to assist you with your application or answer questions about eligibility. 

Please visit StudyPerth’s Student Support Hub at 555 Wellington Street, Perth, between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesdays or Thursdays, if you would like to use this service.  

Or you can email iesupport@jtsi.wa.gov.au for assistance.