Do you need some impartial, confidential assistance managing your affairs? There are a number of options for support here. Remember, if you are feeling overwhelmed, you don't have to go through it alone. Reach out for help, and consider talking to someone from one of the University's support services.
For 24/7 crisis support, you can contact the ANU Wellbeing and Support Line on 1300 050 327. You can also visit our Urgent Support page for a list of 24/7 and crisis support options. If you or anybody else is in immediate danger please dial 000 for emergency services.
Basic Needs Supports
Various financial supports and ANU memberships are available for eligible domestic undergraduate students, through the Basic Needs Supports program.
How to Access Basic Needs Supports
Submit an application using . Please note the eligibility criteria below and prepare to include any required documentation.
Eligibility differs per item so please check carefully before applying. If you are unsure of your eligibility, submit an application and our team will assess.
Any questions regarding Basic Needs Supports can be directed to student.equity@anu.edu.au.
BNS supports 2026:
ANU Low-income Surface Parking Permit 2026 Please note: This is a Surface Parking permit which is only for non-residential students and is valid in surface permit parking zones only. They are not valid in parking stations or resident parking zones. If you move onto campus during 2026, this permit will no longer be valid. | Eligible students must be: The number of permits available is limited. Applications will be processed based on eligibility, in the order they are received, until allocations are exhausted.
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|---|---|
| ANU Sport annual membership |
Eligible students must be: |
| Griffin Hall annual membership |
Eligible students must be: |
| Cost of Living bursary: $300 per semester |
Eligible students must be:
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| Access to Community Connect food relief service(annual) |
Eligible students must be:
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*Low-SES by postcode as defined by the Department of Education. See for more information on low-SES definitions. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please apply and we will verify your address.
**Low-income can be evidenced by: proof of Centrelink income, a low-income healthcare card, or receipt of another ANU scholarship or award for financial hardship.
For other financial support options, see below on this website.
Eligibility criteria:
Students may be eligible for Basic Needs Supports if you are:
- Domestic (Australian or New Zealand citizen),
- Undergraduate (currently enrolled), and
- From one or more of the following underrepresented cohorts;
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- From a low-SES post code or low-income household
- From a regional, rural, or remote location
- First Generation (your parents or carers did not attend university, including out-of-home care experiences)
If the above does not apply to you, please see other financial support options below. Applications to access the Community Connect Food Relief Service if not eligible for BNS can be directed to Student Life, see website.
Any questions regarding Basic Needs Supports can be directed to student.equity@anu.edu.au
Verification and consent:
To verify eligibility for BNS, you will need to provide us with:
- Consent for us to access your ANU Student Administration System (SAS) records to confirm your eligibility (Note: If your eligibility cannot be confirmed, we will contact you for more information before proceeding)
- Documentation of low-SES status (if relevant). Examples of supporting documentation include:
- Low Income Health Care Card,
- evidence of Centrelink payments, or
- evidence of an equity scholarship, grant or bursary
Frequently asked questions
I am a residential student, can I receive a free parking permit?
Unfortunately, no. The ANU Low-income Surface Parking permit is only for non-residential students, as residential students are not eligible for surface parking. See the Residences section on the for information about your parking options.
There are no more parking permits / ANU Sport memberships available, can I still apply under special circumstances?
Unfortunately, no. There is no way to provide further permits or memberships beyond the allocation for each year. Permits and memberships are provided in order of eligible applications received.
Has the BNS eligibility criteria changed?
Yes, in 2026 the Australian government introduced changes to the funding we receive. These changes specify which students are eligible to receive financial support through this funding. Some of the BNS provisions have been affected by this change. Find out more at the .
What is the difference between low-SES and low-income?
Low-socioeconomic status, or low-SES, is a measure used to estimate the socio-economic status of domestic students based on their residential address by postcode. These measures are derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), specifically the Index of Education and Occupation for SA1 areas. SA1s in the bottom 25% of the population are classified as Low-SES .
Low-income is an experience of financial hardship related to low amounts of financial income. This experience is not limited to students from a low-SES address, and can be evidenced by proof of Centrelink income, healthcare card, or receipt of an equity-based scholarship from ANU.
Where required by government funding, only low-SES students (determined by ABS) are eligible, while for other BNS supports both low-SES and low-income students are eligible.
How can I provide feedback?
Your feedback about the support available and your experiences of accessing ANU services will provide valuable insight to the university. We encourage you to submit feedback via the .
Financial support
If you find yourself in need of financial assistance, there are options available for you.
ANUSA Emergency Grant
These grants are designed to provide financial assistance to eligible enrolled students who are experiencing sudden or unexpected financial hardship that is adversely affecting their education. The main criteria for a grant are the demonstration of a genuine need and that continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship. The maximum grant available is $750 per year.
To be eligible, you must be enrolled as an ANU Undergraduate or ANU College student and be able to demonstrate financial need. An ANUSA Emergency Grant may be used to cover:
- Unexpected medical bills
- Accommodation (such as a bond)
- Short-term living expenses (due to delayed income, etc.)
- Emergency travel costs or travel costs related to medical issues.
about ANUSA Emergency Grants.
Emergency accommodation bursaries
There are emergency accommodation bursaries available for undergraduate and postgraduate students. See the Bursaries and accommodation scholarships page for more information.
Please note: if you live at a residential hall or college, there may be internal bursaries available. Contact your residence's reception for more information.
Scholarships
There are a number of scholarship opportunities available at ANU. Check out the Scholarships page for more information.
Student Urgent Relief Bursary (SURF)
Through the generosity of our community and donors, the Student Urgent Relief Bursary (SURF) provides support to ANU students who are experiencing financial hardship and require immediate financial assistance.
Students may apply for more than one expense; however, the maximum total amount disbursed may not exceed $1,000 AUD. Successful applicants do not have to repay the money (i.e. it's not a loan). There is no deadline to apply and every effort will be taken to process applications in a timely manner, generally on a weekly basis. Funds are limited and the SURF will operate until current funds are fully spent.
Visit the Student Urgent Relief Bursary (SURF) webpage for more information.
Other support and financial assistance
- If you are in need of support or assistance in addressing rising home energy costs, you can apply for the ActewAGL $100 Energy Support Voucher via the application form linked, or via the 'reference documents' section of this webpage.
Anyone experiencing energy stress or hardship is welcome to complete an application and submit the completed form to education@carefcs.org to apply.
Financial wellbeing support
If you, or someone you know, is in need of assistance regarding their financial wellbeing, the following services are available to you.
The Student Safety and Wellbeing team are also available to students looking to speak with someone about their situation, and to assist in accessing help services.
Care
Care is a Canberra organisation that offers free financial counselling. They can assist with credit, debt, budgeting, gambling harm, consumer law issues, and even seeking a zero-interest loan for the purchase of essential goods and services. Call their Financial Counselling team (via the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Debt Helpline) on 1800 007 007, or see for more information.
Care also offers small, zero-interest loans for purchasing essential goods and services. or see for more information.
Moneysmart
is an Australian government initiative that provides information and resources aimed at;supporting financial wellbeing. It contains detailed information on topics of interest for students, including bank accounts, saving, loans and credit, budgeting, and investing.
- See their useful and information pages.
- If you need help quickly, see their page for information and additional support options.
¾«¶«´«Ã½app Debt Helpline
Call the free on 1800 007 007 for free and confidential advice from professional financial counsellors. The line is open from 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
If you are affected by debt, see the debt page for more information.
Saver Plus
is Australia’s longest-running financial education and matched savings program, designed to help individuals and families on a tight budget build lasting savings habits. Eligible participants set an education-related savings goal, receive support through MoneyMinded financial workshops, and after saving regularly over 10 months, can have their savings matched up to $500 by ANZ to assist with education costs.
Learn more and check your eligibility:
Reference documents
Use contact details to request an alternative file format.
Related Guidance
Contact
- Student Safety and Wellbeing
- +61 2 6125 2211
- Send email