To see the full information, visit ANU’s website here.

Checking your current details

You can check the primary (official) name, date of birth and citizenship status listed on your ANU record on your ISIS account via the quick link to ‘Personal Information’ on the ISIS homepage, or via the pathway:

NavBar (compass icon) > Menu > ISIS > Personal Details > Personal Information

This record is used on official University documents like your official Academic Transcript, Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) and Testamur.

Changing or Updating Your Preferred Name

You can update your preferred name yourself via ISIS. This will be the name used on ANU systems such as Wattle, ANU student email and ISIS, but the primary (official) name on your ANU record will be used for official communication.

Register your preferred name via ISIS using the quick link to ‘Personal Information’ on the ISIS homepage, or via the following pathway:

NavBar (compass symbol) > Navigator > ISIS > Personal Details > Personal Information

To correct or change your name, title or date of birth for your official University record at the ANU:

1. Complete an ANU Application to Change Name, Title or Date of Birth.
2. Provide supporting documentation for a change of name (e.g. birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, change of name certificate, divorce certificate).
3. OR Provide supporting documentation for a change or correction of gender. Accepted documents include:
   1. Passport or birth certificate; OR
   2. Statement from a registered medical practitioner or a registered psychologist that you have been receiving clinical treatment relating to the change of gender or are an intersex person.
4. Submit the form and documentation to Student Central by emailing a colour scan to student@anu.edu.au

Your name can only be changed to reflect the name shown on the official documentation provided, no variation can be accepted.

You can change your name informally by asking those around you to address you by the name of your preference, or you may choose to change your name formally.

The process of changing your name depends on the state or territory. You can change your name in the state or territory where you were born or in some cases where you are a resident. Note that this information is only about laws in Australia, if you are an international student, it would be also important to find out how laws in your home country may affect you before taking any steps.

Note: It is also important to consider how changing your name will affect things like your passport, bank accounts and other key documentation or identification that you need to use. If you change your name, you may need to consider changing your name in all your other documents and updating your contact information.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

To change your name as an adult in the ACT, you can refer to Access Canberra here.

You can update your full name, including given names or surname, once every 12 months. Applications may be submitted by email, post, or in person at the Access Canberra Service Centre. A fee may also apply.

If you have recently gotten married in Australia or overseas, different conditions may apply for a change of name.

There is no expectation or requirement to change your surname when you get married. It is a personal choice whether to replace your surname with your partner’s.

You may apply to have your name changed in the ACT if you:

• Were born in the ACT. (If you were born outside of the ACT in another Australian jurisdiction, you may apply for a change of name in the state you were born in).
• Are a resident in the ACT (and can provide proof of your residency).
• Were born in another country and are a resident in the ACT.

If you are serving a sentence of imprisonment, or you are on parole, then you are considered a ‘restricted person’. If you are a restricted person, you will need to apply to the Director-General of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate for approval to change your name.

New South Wales (NSW)

 To change your name as an adult in NSW, you can refer to the NSW Government here.

The quickest was to apply to change your name is through their online portal. You can apply to change your name if you are over the age of 18 and:

• your birth is registered in NSW, or
• you were born overseas and have been a resident in NSW for 3 consecutive years when you apply, or
• your birth is not registered in NSW and a protection order has been made to protect you and/or your children from domestic violence
• you can provide proof of identity and residency
• you can disclose evidence of no criminal records.

You may also apply to change your name by post or apply in person by bringing your original identity documents to a Service NSW Centre.

This information is mainly intended for Australian citizens or permanent residents. International students should also consider potential issues that may arise in their home countries. In some cases, if a country discriminates against an individual based on their gender identity, it could lead to a claim for refugee status. Even if this is not applicable, it is crucial to be aware of any legal requirements that might apply abroad.

Federal documents (Passport, Medicare and Centrelink Records)

Under the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender, federal departments and agencies must take all reasonable steps to correct gender information in their records. You do not need to have had surgery and/or hormone therapy for recognition of change of gender on federal government records.

To change your Australian passport, apply to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. To change your Medicare and Centrelink records, apply to Services Australia.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

To record or recognise a change of sex in the ACT, you can refer to Access Canberra here which has the details and requirements on how to apply.

There are two ways to record a change of sex:

1. People born in the ACT can change the record of sex on the birth register.
2. A person born outside of the ACT can change how their sex is recognised.

When you change your sex, you will be issued with either:

• a new birth certificate if you were born in the ACT
• a recognised details certificate if you were born outside of the ACT.

You can choose whether your birth certificate shows:

• your sex before, or both before and after the change
• your sex after the change only
• no sex identifier.

New South Wales (NSW)

To record or recognise a change of sex in NSW, you can refer to the NSW Government here which has the details and requirements on how to apply.

Currently in NSW, to record or recognise a change of sex or gender marker on your birth certificate or on a registered details certificate, you are required to have had undergone a sex affirmation procedure.

You may record or recognise a change of sex in NSW if you:

• you are aged 18 years or older or are the parent/s or guardian of a child, and
• you have undergone a ‘sex affirmation procedure’
• your birth is registered in NSW, or
• your birth is not registered in Australia, and you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and have lived in NSW for at least one year.