When you apply for admission, we collect your personal information, which may include:

• Your name and contact details
• Date of birth
• Domestic or international student status
• Student identification details, if applicable
• Educational qualifications, including attainment of any prerequisite requirements, and supporting documents
• English language proficiency testing
• References and personal statements
• Disability and health information
• Other demographic information
• Information provided in interviews, assessments, or portfolio submissions
• Any other information required to support your application.

If you provide us with the personal details of other individuals (such as referees or parents/guardians for emergency contact purposes), please let them know that you are sharing their information with us.

The personal data processed by Admissions Team at the University of Sydney will include the details you directly provide in your application forms, any supporting documents provided to the University as part of the admission process, additional details provided by any referees, and anything recorded following any interview process. If you apply to the University through UAC, the University will collect the information you provided to UAC to consider your application. If you are applying from overseas, the University will also collect personal data you provided to agents or education pathway providers to consider your admission to your program of study.

We use your personal information to:

• Review and assess your eligibility for admission
• Correspond with you about your application and potential offer
• Inform you about your course options, enrolment, and student support services
• Consider your eligibility for scholarships, financial aid, or other opportunities
• Meet our legal and regulatory obligations under the  University of Sydney Act (NSW) 1989,  Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth), Education Services for Overseas Student Act 2000 (Cth), and the Student Identifiers Act 2014 (Cth)  and other reporting government requirements
• Prevent or detect fraud
• Improve and plan admissions processes and evaluate student outcomes
• Support your further engagement with the University, such as future applications.

For applicants to the MySydney Scholarship Scheme or dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs (Gadigal and Extended Bachelors), your information may also be used to:

• Provide you with information about University support services, events and activities
• Measure and report on program participation and outcomes, including seeking your feedback
• Provide you with mentoring and support. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative AI technologies and other machine learning tools to: 

• support teaching and learning activities
• undertake research and analysis
• improve administrative processes and service delivery
• perform quality assurance and planning. 

Where AI technologies are used, we are committed to take fair and reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is handled in accordance with Information Protection Principles (IPPs) in the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) and the Health Privacy Principles (HPPs) under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW). This may include: 

• using AI technologies only where reasonably necessary to support our functions and activities
• using AI technologies in a manner that is lawful and fair
• limiting the use of personal information in AI technologies
• limiting the use and disclosure of personal information to the primary purpose for which it was collected unless you have consented or it is otherwise permitted under the IPPs or HPPs
• maintaining human oversight of AI-generated outputs to ensure accuracy and appropriateness
• being transparent about use of AI technologies. 

Personal information may be processed outside Australia, including for the purpose of generating responses, providing technical support, maintaining the service, or enabling certain platform capabilities. The University takes reasonable steps to ensure appropriate contractual, technical, and organisational safeguards are in place. 

The University may use compliance logging, auditing, and monitoring capabilities of its AI technology environments for purposes outlined in the Acceptable Use of ICT Resources Policy.

We only share your personal information as needed to process your application or as required by law. This may include:

• Relevant University staff and faculty members who assess your application
• Authorised third parties, such as UAC or nominated referees, or, if necessary, other parties necessary to verify information provided in your application
• If you accept an offer, external organisations who help manage your enrolment and student experience (see our current student privacy notice for details).

We do not disclose your information without your consent unless required or authorised by law.

Your personal information is stored securely in University systems in accordance with:

• Cyber Security Policy (pdf, 218KB)
• Acceptable Use of ICT Resources Policy (1.3MB)
• Recordkeeping Policy (254KB)
• Privacy Policy (254KB)

We will hold your personal information for the minimum retention periods set out in the State Records Act 1998 (NSW), including unsuccessful applications, and will dispose of your information securely when we no longer required it for a lawful purpose.

Under NSW privacy laws, you have the right to request access to and correct any personal information concerning you held by the University. Retention of your personal information is subject to the requirements of the State Records Act 1998 (NSW). You can view and update most of your personal information in Sydney Student. Enquiries for access should be directed to privacy.enquiries@sydney.edu.au. 

If you live or are located outside Australia, you may have additional rights, please contact privacy.enquiries@sydney.edu.au.

If you no longer want to receive updates from Sydney Future Students regarding study opportunities at the University of Sydney please contact, international.recruitment@sydney.edu.au or for domestic students contact, prospective.students@sydney.edu.au.

If you believe that the University or a member of staff has not handled your personal information in a way that you expect, you can make a complaint. Find out more about making a privacy complaint.