Changing your name and details
How do I notify the University of a change to my name or personal details?
How to update your preferred (unofficial) details
You can submit a Change to Personal Details form at any time without supporting documentation to correct or update the following details on your student record:
- Capitalisation (i.e., change to upper or lower case) of name
- Preferred given name
- Gender
- Title
You can request to update your gender identifier or title to any of the options on the Change to Personal Details form. You also have the option to write in a different title if your preference is not listed on the form.
Changes to your preferred given name will be reflected in most University systems, including your my.unimelb, MyTimetable and Canvas, as well as class lists and other systems to enable University staff to address you correctly.
However, only your legal name will appear on official documents and correspondence, such as your testamur, academic transcript, student card and fee statements. To change your official or legal details as they appear in such documents, please follow the procedure outlined in the section below.
Further information and frequently asked questions are available about gender identification for trans and gender diverse students, as well as general information about the support available for the University’s trans and gender diverse community.
How to update your official (legal) name and personal details
I want to update a mistake in the University's records of my details
You can do through the University's Change to Personal Details form.
Updating mistakes in the University's records, such as the spelling of your name or your date of birth, requires a photo of at least one of the following supporting documents:
- A copy of your passport with your correct name, or
- A copy of your birth certificate and copy of photo identification
I want to change my official name or details
You are required to notify the University if you make any legal changes to your name by submitting a Change to Personal Details form. This will ensure that your academic record, student card and transcripts are updated with your name as it appears on your official documents.
If you are a current student or recent graduate, please submit the form through the portal for current students. If you don’t have an active student account, you will need to submit the form through the portal for general submissions, and provide certified copies of your supporting documents. You can use the Australian Government’s instructions to obtain certified copies in your country of residence.
You will need to provide:
- A copy of your passport or another form of Australian government-issued photo identification with the name currently on University records, and
- A copy of your evidence of your new name, which may be either:
- A legal document proving your name has changed, such as a marriage certificate, name change certificate, reissued birth certificate, or other government-issued document; or
- A passport or other form of Australian government-issued photo identification in your new name
If you’re not able to provide any of the requested evidence for any reason, please submit your Change to Personal Details form along with as much documentation as you can provide and explain why you are not able to provide any missing documents. Our team will review your request and contact you to discuss your options.
What is a legal name change and how do I do it?
The evidence of legal name change that the University requires is a re-issued birth certificate (for Victorian-born students) or a 'Change of Name' certificate (for students born overseas). These are issued by Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria (BDMV), upon application.
Note: Once you have changed your name with BDMV, it is your responsibility to ensure your official documents, such as your Passport or drivers licence, are up to date. FEE-HELP and Centrelink students, see below.
How to change your legal name
For students that are:
- Over 18 years of age; and
- Born in Victoria; or
- Born overseas and living in Victoria for at least the past 12 months
You can change your name by following the procedure outlined by BDMV.
You will need to provide to BDMV, generally:
- Your current details
- Your chosen name
- Proof of your identity
- Proof of residency (if born overseas)
You can make an application to BDMV to change your name.
If you were born in Victoria, you will be issued with a new birth certificate showing both your previous and new name. Students born overseas will be issued a 'Change of Name' certificate.
If you're under 18 years of age your parents must apply to BDMV for a name change on your behalf.
After your name or details are updated
Getting a new student card
Once you have changed your name in the University's records you are entitled to receive a new student card.
You can also submit requests for new official documents such as:
Important information for HELP loan and Centrelink students
HELP loan students
If you are accessing a HELP loan, you must ensure your personal details at the University match those held at the Australian Tax Office (ATO). To be eligible for a loan under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, you must provide a valid Tax File Number (TFN). For a TFN to be valid, it must be able to be confirmed with the ATO as belonging to you. The University can only confirm this if your details match with the ATO. If the University cannot verify your TFN by the census date, you have not met the TFN requirements and will not be eligible for a HELP loan. You can manage your personal details using ATO online services, or by contacting the ATO individual enquiries line on 13 28 61.
Centrelink students
In accordance with the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, the University is required to report information to Centrelink about student enrolment load for Centrelink customers. This information is reported on a weekly basis throughout Semester 1 and Semester 2. To ensure that the University is able to accurately report data, and to avoid you needing to provide proof of enrolment to Centrelink, you should ensure that the personal details at the University match those held at Centrelink.