About Student ID cards
All UNSW students get a Student Identification (ID) card. You need this card to identify yourself as a UNSW student, to access buildings, and for university transactions such as borrowing UNSW library books.
Your access to secure spaces (e.g., labs or study spaces) is determined by your program office. Following the granting of approval, UNSW Security Services will arrange building access. If you have any queries relating to your building access, please email Security Services at: id.cards@unsw.edu.au.
Getting a Student ID card for the first time
You can request your ID card 24 hours after you have enrolled in your courses.
- Find out how to get a Student ID card.
- You are required to provide evidence of your citizenship or residency. Check the list of accepted identity documents.
- If you have a question about Student ID cards, this FAQ may have the answer.
If you don’t provide proof of your citizenship or residency, you will not be issued with a Student ID card. A reminder will be sent at the start of your first term asking you to bring documentary evidence into The Nucleus: Student Hub or to send a copy by reply email. If you don’t provide these documents before the census date for the term, a block will be placed on your student account which will prevent further enrolment or class registration.
- Outside the Getting Started period, visit The Nucleus: Student Hub to obtain your Student ID card.
Distance students
- If you are a distance student and can’t come to campus to get your ID card, you can email your application form.
- Only distance students can provide their own photo for their student ID cards.
Outside the Getting Started period, visit The Nucleus: Student Hub to obtain your Student ID card.
If you don’t provide proof of your citizenship or residency, you will not be issued with a Student ID card. A reminder will be sent at the start of your first term asking you to bring the evidence into The Nucleus: Student Hub or to send a copy by reply email. If you don’t provide these documents before the census date for the term, a block will be placed on your student account which will prevent further enrolment or class registration.
You will essentially be following guidelines for Australian Government passport photos.
What is an acceptable photo?
To get a distance student ID card, you need to submit a photo that meets the following criteria for it to be used on your student ID card:
- uploaded in JPEG (.jpg) format
- good quality, colour photo that is less than six months old
- clear, focused image with no marks or ‘red eye’
- no shadows or reflections, with appropriate brightness and contrast to show skin tone naturally
- plain white or light grey background that contrasts with your face
- no hat, and no sunglasses
- leave reasonable space around the face area
- hair off the face so that the edges of the face and eyes are clearly visible
- your face looking directly at the camera and not tilted in any direction.
Replacing a Student ID card
You can request a new Student ID card at any time if you have changed your name, lost or damaged your card, or if it has expired. Find out about replacement Student ID cards.
- Visit The Nucleus: Student Hub to get your replacement ID card.