Your personal details
Your personal details are the details that you provide to the University before commencing your studies. You can update your name and personal details if they change or are recorded incorrectly.
Legal details
Your legal personal details are the details that appear on your government identity documentation, such as your passport and birth certificate. These can only be amended by submitting an online form (generally with supporting documentation). These details include your:
- Given name(s)
- Family name
- Date of birth
- Title
- Gender
- Citizenship
Non-legal details
Your non-legal personal details can be changed without supporting documentation and can be amended yourself. These details include your:
- Preferred name
- Contact details
Updating your personal details
You must notify CDU if any of your personal details change. Depending on the type of personal details you are updating, you may also be required to submit supporting documents.
Change of name
If your name changes or is recorded incorrectly, you need to submit a Personal Details Amendment eForm. Log in to the Student Portal, click the eForms tile, select the Personal Details Amendment eForm and select Continue to proceed.
You will need to provide evidence when updating your name:
- You need to provide a certified copy of official documentation showing your new name (e.g. marriage certificate, driver's licence, passport, birth certificate, divorce papers).
- You must update your details with Unique Student Identifier (USI) and attach evidence of the update before submitting this form. Go to www.usi.gov.au or call 1300 857 536. If you are an International Student who has not yet made a USI, you do not need to provide this information; however, you must obtain a USI as soon as possible.
- If you are a Commonwealth supported student or access a HELP loan (HECS, FEE, SA or VET student loan), you must first advise the Australian Taxation Office of the changes and attach evidence of the update before submitting this form. Do not include your TFN. Go to www.ato.gov.au or call 13 28 61.
Please note, students can choose a Preferred Name in the Student Portal. Your Preferred Name will appear in student systems and may be used to personalise CDU emails you receive. To add or amend your preferred name, go to MyStudentInfo > Personal Details.
Change of date of birth
If your date of birth is incorrect, you need to submit a Personal Details Amendment eform. Log in to the Student Portal, click the eForms tile, select the Personal Details Amendment eform and select Continue to proceed.
You need to provide a certified copy of official documentation that shows your date of birth (e.g. marriage certificate, driver's licence, passport, birth certificate or divorce papers).
Change of title and gender
You need to submit a Personal Details Amendment eform. Log in to the Student Portal, click the eForms tile, select the Personal Details Amendment eform and select Continue to proceed.
No supporting documentation is required when amending your title and/or gender.
Change of residency status (to Australian citizen or permanent resident)
Australian citizen
If you have become an Australian citizen, you will need to submit a Personal Details AmendmenteForm and attach a certified copy of your citizenship certificate. Log in to the Student Portal, click the eForms tile, select the Personal Details Amendment eForm and select Continue to proceed.
Permanent resident
If you have become an Australian permanent resident, you will need to follow the above steps, but include a certified copy of your permanent resident visa with your submission.
Please note: You must submit your eForm and documents before the census date to be eligible for a fee change in the current semester. See Important Dates.
Updating contact information
You must provide CDU with up-to-date contact information, so you don’t miss important information sent by the University.
You can update your addresses on MyStudentInfo. On the left-hand side menu, select 'My Personal Details', then 'My Address Details'.
You will be able to update your Postal Address, Home Address, Semester Address (if applicable) and Emergency Contact Details.
Frequently asked questions
What is a certified copy?
A certified copy of an original document is a copy of a document that an authorised person has verified. CDU requires certified copies of your documents. Learn how to get certified copies of your documents
Serving members of Australian state or territory police and Justices of the Peace (JP) can act as authorised persons.
Here is a list of JPs in the Northern Territory. If you live in a different state or territory, your state or territory government website will have a page that will help you find a local JP.
What is a preferred name?
Students and staff may use names other than their legal names to better reflect their gender identity, their cultural and/or social identity. This is what we call a preferred name. Students can add or change their preferred name in MyStudentInfo > Personal Details.
Once your preferred name is entered into our systems, it will be displayed to the University community wherever possible.
So far, these include:
- Student Portal
- class lists
- email communications
- phone and online chat interactions with staff
- library system.
Your legal name will be used in these systems for various reasons:
- request forms submitted through Student Portal
- student ID card
- transcripts (official or unofficial)
- testamurs
- official reports
- official correspondence
- residential systems.
We are updating our systems to ensure inclusivity; however, there may be times when you may be referred to by your legal name, and you may still need to personally communicate your preferred first name when interacting with staff. Parts of the University may use software that is not compatible with some internal systems and may not have capability to integrate preferred names.
Why do I need to provide CDU with my USI and ATO details?
Your details must match records held by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and on your Unique Student Identifier (USI) account. If your details with the Australian Government and CDU don’t match, this will affect your ability to graduate on time or receive Commonwealth funding, such as a Commonwealth Supported Place or HELP loan.