Study Assist

What is a CHESSN?

Your CHESSN is your Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number. It is a unique identifier/identifying number that stays with you for the whole of your student life. Your CHESSN helps providers and the Australian Government provide you with information about any Commonwealth assistance (scholarships or HELP loans) you may have used.

Do I need a CHESSN?

You need a CHESSN if you are:

• a Commonwealth supported student
• accessing a HELP loan, or
• receiving a Commonwealth Scholarship.

How do I get a CHESSN?

Your tertiary admissions centre (TAC) or your provider will allocate you a CHESSN when you first apply for admission. If you already have a CHESSN, the number will remain the same. You will be notified of your CHESSN in your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN), which must be sent by your provider within 28 days of the census date for a unit of study. For important information on the census date and administrative date, see Relevant deadlines.

Why do I have to provide personal information?

During the admission application process you will be asked to consent to personal identification details being provided to DEEWR and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) under strict privacy conditions. These details are used to verify your identity and to ensure that you are not issued with a duplicate CHESSN. If you do not provide your consent you will not be eligible for Commonwealth assistance. Providers are required to comply with Commonwealth privacy legislation when handling personal information relating to Commonwealth assistance. There are strict penalties for officers of providers and the Australian Government who misuse this personal information. Providers must have grievance procedures in place for non-academic matters which can be used by students for dealing with complaints about their providers misusing this personal information. Providers must also have a procedure to allow you to access your personal information.

I forgot my CHESSN...how can I find it?

Your CHESSN is printed on your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN). Your provider must send you a CAN within 28 days of the census date for a unit of study. For more information about CANs, see What is a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)? If you can’t find your CAN, you can contact the student administration area at your provider.

Further information about CHESSN

If you have any questions or need any help with your CHESSN, please contact the student administration area of your provider.