What is a CHESSN?
Who needs a CHESSN?
What is a CHESSN used for?
Where do you get a CHESSN from?
Providing personal details for a CHESSN
How are you notified of your CHESSN?
How long does a CHESSN last?
What is a CHESSN?
The Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) is a unique identifier used by a higher education provider (provider) in communications with the Australian Government relating to a student who is:
- enrolled, or seeking to enrol, in a unit of study with the provider; and
- a Commonwealth supported student, or seeking Commonwealth assistance under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, for a unit of study.
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Who needs a CHESSN?
Not every student needs a CHESSN. The following table will help you to determine if you require a CHESSN.
| If you are … |
Then you … |
- Commonwealth supported (including students seeking HECS-HELP and OS-HELP assistance)
- accessing FEE-HELP assistance, or
- receiving a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship
|
must have a CHESSN. |
- paying your full fees upfront, or
- an overseas student
|
do not require a CHESSN. |
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What is a CHESSN used for?
The CHESSN is used by your higher education provider and the Australian Government to calculate and monitor your:
- Student Learning Entitlement (SLE)
- Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) assistance
- Commonwealth Learning Scholarship.
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Where do you get a CHESSN from?
As part of your admission application process, you will be allocated a CHESSN through your:
- Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC), or
- higher education provider.
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Providing personal details for a CHESSN
When completing the admission application process you will be asked to consent to personal, identifying information being provided to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Tax Office for the allocation of a CHESSN and the management of your Commonwealth assistance.
These personal details will be 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.
See also: Your personal details
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How are you notified of your CHESSN?
You will be notified of your CHESSN in your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN), which must be sent by providers within 28 days of the census date for a unit of study.
See also: Important dates - census dates
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How long does a CHESSN last?
You will keep the same CHESSN for the rest of your academic life. Your CHESSN will continue to be used after your academic award is completed for monitoring Commonwealth assistance and allocating lifelong SLE.
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