All you need to know about USI
Discover the purpose of the Unique Student Identifier (USI), how to create one and how to check if you already have a USI.
About the USI
A USI is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letters that is free and easy to create, and stays with you for life.
All Griffith students need a USI in order to graduate and receive their award.
Griffith students also need a USI in order to be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place and Commonwealth financial assistance (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP or OS-HELP).
If you're about to begin studying at Griffith, you will need to obtain a USI (or locate your existing USI) via the Government USI website.
You will be prompted to enter your USI as part of the Pre-Enrolment Questionnaire before your first census date.
Please ensure that your legal first name, last name and date of birth match exactly between Griffith University and the USI Registry so your USI can be verified. If they do not match, your Unique Student Identifier (USI) will not be verified and your studies may be impacted.
To enter your USI at any time, select the 'My USI' link in your Pre-Enrolment Questionnaire. To find out more about the USI, visit the government website:
Creating your USI
Creating a USI is free of charge and only takes a few minutes.
You only need to do this once and you will then have the same USI for all education you undertake in Australia.
Your legal first name, last name and date of birth need to match exactly between Griffith University and the USI Registry. If they do not match, then your USI cannot be verified and your studies may be impacted.
You can create a USI on the official website.
Acceptable forms of ID
To create your USI, you will need to provide some identification, such as:
- Australian passport
- non-Australian passport (with Australian Visa)
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian driver's licence
- Medicare card
- Certificate of Registration by Descent
- Centrelink concession cards
- Citizenship certificate
- ImmiCard.
Check if you already have a USI
You can check if you have already been issued a USI via find your USI.
If you have forgotten your USI number, you have four ways to retrieve it:
Email address
Your USI will be sent to the email address in your USI account.
Mobile number
Your USI will be sent to the mobile number in your USI account.
Personal details and check questions
You will need to know the answers to your check questions.
Personal details and identification
You will need to have a valid form of identification.
What about CHESSN?
If you applied for Commonwealth financial assistance after 2005, you will have a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN). Over the next three years, the CHESSN will be gradually decommissioned as the USI becomes the primary government identifier across higher education and VET.
If you have studied before, you can find your CHESSN on a past Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) issued to you by your provider for that course. You can also call your past provider(s) and ask them for your CHESSN.
From 2021, once a student has provided a USI it will become their primary identifier and replace the functionality of the CHESSN. More information about the CHESSN can be found at Study Assist: