International Student Accommodation Subsidy

To be eligible for the Accommodation Subsidy, you 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 provider
   • a primary or secondary school; and
2. have commenced full-time studies onshore (on campus) in Western Australia in Semester 2, 2023;
3. provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by their educational provider indicating enrolment in a course running for at least two semesters in 2023-24; and
4. be studying onshore in Western Australia for at least two semesters in 2023-24 (international students onshore for a shorter period of time will not be eligible for this round).

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

A Guardian can apply on your behalf if you are an international student enrolled in primary or secondary school and aged under 18 years. If approved, funds will be paid to your Guardian's Australian bank account. 

International students are ineligible for the Accommodation Subsidy payment if they meet any of the following criteria:

• The student has previously received an ISAS or International Student ELICOS Bursary (ISEB) or International Student Self Quarantine (ISSQ) payment in Rounds 1, 2 or 3;
• The student is not enrolled to study full-time;
• The length of time the course is being studied onshore in Western Australia is shorter than two semesters in length.
• The student was studying any course onshore in Western Australia between January 2021 and the commencement of Semester 2, 2023;
• The student has not yet arrived in Western Australia at the time of submitting an application;
• The student cannot provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for any reason.

I am a new international student and have enrolled in a 12-month course commencing onshore during Semester 2, 2023. Will I be eligible for the $1,500 payment?

Yes, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria. Currently the program is in place for new onshore students enrolling in courses of at least two semesters in length (or equivalent) that commence in Semester 2, 2023. Students must be able to demonstrate enrolment in a course or pathway which requires full-time enrolment for at least two semesters. However, application for this program 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 in Semester 2, 2023. 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 in Semester 2, 2023 who will be studying onshore and have at least two semesters of their course remaining. Providing you meet all other eligibility criteria including length of course requirements, you are eligible to apply for this payment.

I commenced my studies onshore in Trimester 2, 2023 – can I apply?

The ISAS program is a semester-based program. Due to limited payments available through Round 4 of the ISAS program, application is currently limited to Semester 2, 2023 commencements only.  However, any application received from a student who commenced in Trimester 2 will be waitlisted and considered should additional funding for the program become available.

I submitted my application, but received an email saying it was ineligible due to incorrect documentation.  Can I reapply once I have the required documentation available?

Applicants who do not submit a complete application for Round 4, including ALL required documentation/evidence will automatically be considered ineligible.  Applicants will be advised of this as soon as possible.  If applications for the Round 4 program remain open, applicants may submit an updated application once all of the required documentation is to hand.  However, it is noted that the number of payments available through Round 4 is limited, and any subsequent application will be considered in the order it was received.

I received advice that my Application has been waitlisted.  What does that mean?

JTSI receives a greater number of applications for ISAS than payments available.  Once available funding has been exhausted no further assessment of any application will be conducted.  However, surplus applications will be waitlisted for assessment should additional funding be identified for the Round in which you applied become available. Notification of a waitlist is not a guarantee that your application will be assessed.

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 have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by their education provider and be able to demonstrate they have a confirmed full-time enrolment as an international student at an eligible institution for at least two semesters commencing in Semester 2, 2023 to be eligible for this program. If a CoE cannot be issued for your enrolment, you will be considered ineligible for this round.

I won’t be studying in Perth for two semesters as my enrolled course is shorter than two semesters, or I only have one semester of study remaining. Can I still apply?

No, current eligibility criteria for this round of the Scheme requires students to be studying onshore in Western Australia for at least two semesters (or equivalent) or more. Confirmed pathway enrolments may be considered.

Why is my application taking so long to process?

All applications undertake a rigorous assessment process to ensure only students meeting all criteria are awarded the funding. JTSI receives far more applications for this program than funding available, and no payments will be made until confirmation of eligibility is determined and also confirmed by your education provider.

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 any follow-up by JTSI, this will delay the assessment and progression of your application. To avoid delays, please ensure your application includes all required information as noted in these guidelines.

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  additional studies. 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 a  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- - click here for example.  

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

Any application that does not provide a CoE will automatically be found ineligible for payment in Round 4.

2. A current Australian Bank Statement or Proof of Balance document-- click here for example

This is provided to you by your bank. This document must note and confirm :

• Your official name (must match the application 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.

A screenshot of your banking details from your internet banking app is not an official bank document and is not sufficient evidence for this requirement.

3. An e-ticket or itinerary document- click here for example.

 This document confirms:

• Your official name on formal documents
• Your flight or travel details; and
• Your date of arrival into Western Australia

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 for evaluation to the email you registered with. If your application requires additional information to progress evaluation, JTSI may contact you via SmartyGrants or the email you registered with from the iesupport@jtsi.wa.gov.au inbox.

Please make sure you monitor your email for any follow up enquiries from JTSI. JTSI will not phone you to follow up, and will place your application to the end of the assessment queue if a request for additional information is not received within the time stated in the email request.

Who do I contact with any queries?

All enquiries regarding the ISAS payment can be directed to iesupport@jtsi.wa.gov.au. This email inbox receives a very high amount of enquiries.  Enquiries regarding the status of your application will generally not be responded to as this will be communicated with you when an outcome is determined.

How will I know if my application is successful or not?

You will receive email advice once assessment has been completed indicating if you are successful in obtaining the payment or advising your application is ineligible.

If your application is deemed ineligible due to missing document/information, you may resubmit a complete application if the program remains open, however, your application will move to the end of the assessment queue.

Please email iesupport@jtsi.wa.gov.au for assistance.