A bequest is more than a gift. It's a powerful vote of confidence and a belief in a better, fairer world. At the University of Sydney, we continue to fuel groundbreaking discoveries, from lifesaving medical advances to global sustainability solutions.
As we celebrate 175 years of impact, your legacy has the potential to shape the next chapter: turning bold ideas into real-world change through student access, scholarships and research.
Bequests help us tackle challenges and invest in ideas that change lives, for good. A gift in your Will lets you support what matters most to you and your family.
Here are just some of the areas you can support:
Every gift, large or small, leaves a lasting mark.
For many, the University has been a place of opportunity, discovery, and care. If it shaped your life, your legacy could shape someone else's future.
If you'd like to learn about our areas of support, please contact us and find out how we can bring your gift to life.
Bequestor Elwin à Beckett, whose generosity has helped fund bowel cancer research for over a decade.
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LinkWithout bequests, we couldn’t do what we do. The impact is generational.
Save Sight Institute
Discover how your bequest can make a difference, with guidance, inspiration, and impact at the University of Sydney.
We would love to hear from you.
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Including a gift in your Will is both personal and meaningful. We're here to help you create a legacy that reflects your values and passions.
Whether it's supporting students, advancing research, or backing a cause close to your heart, this guide will show you the way. Here's how to get started:
Our friendly team is here for a confidential conversation. We can match your interests with meaningful opportunities and provide useful resources. Call us on +61 8627 8811 or email planned.giving@sydney.edu.au to start a conversation.
You can include a gift in a new Will or add one to your existing Will with a Codicil. Our suggested Will wording can be tailored to help you get started.
Bequests can take many forms such as a share of your estate, a fixed sum, or specific assets like property or shares. We always recommend seeking independent legal advice first.
Your solicitor will need the following details:
Legal name: The University of Sydney
ABN: 15 211 513 464
DGR Status: The University is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)
If you choose to share your plans, we'd be honoured to welcome you to the Challis Bequest Society and connect you with the areas of the University that matter most. Your privacy and preferences will always be respected.
A bequest is a gift left in your Will. It can be your entire estate, a specific amount, a percentage, or a particular asset. For many, it’s a meaningful way to give back. It’s also a wonderful option for those who may not have been able to give during their lifetime.
A bequest to the University of Sydney can support general priorities, research, expand access to education and inspire future generations.
There are several ways to leave a bequest, each suited to different preferences and circumstances. Here are the common options:
Residuary bequest: This is a gift of the remainder of your estate after all debts, expenses, and other specific gifts have been paid. It's often expressed as a percentage of what’s left.
Pecuniary or cash bequest: A gift of a fixed sum of money specified in your Will – usually combined with a CPI indexed inflation clause to make sure your gift maintains its value over time.
Specific bequest: A gift of a particular item or asset, such as property, shares, or a treasured possession.
Percentage bequest: A gift expressed as a percentage of your estate or of a particular asset’s value.
Whole estate bequest: A gift of your entire estate, usually chosen by those who have no other beneficiaries or who wish to make a significant impact.
Here are some helpful steps to guide you:
Consider the type of bequest you might be interested in.
Have a discussion with our Planned Giving team, who can provide suggested will wording for you to consider and information about the University’s activities and priorities.
Seek financial, legal and tax advice about your Will.
Let us know if you have included a gift in your Will to the University (optional) – it is your choice but if you do so it will allow us to thank you and invite you to join our Challis Bequest Society.
For more information, please contact:
Email: planned.giving@sydney.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 8627 8811
These conversations give you the opportunity to explore what matters most to you and the University - whether that's choosing the area you'd like to support, discussing how you'd like your gift to be acknowledged, or simply staying connected with the University in a way that's meaningful.
We respect your privacy and will only discuss the anticipated size of your gift if you wish to share that information.
While we cannot provide legal, tax or financial advice, we can offer suggested Will wording and other guidance to help ensure your gift is clearly expressed and stands the test of time.
Yes, you can – whether that's supporting a scholarship, research, or contributing to a particular area or field of study.
General gifts or unrestricted gifts that give us flexibility to address University priorities are extremely valued as they allow the University to respond to changing needs and priorities over time.
If you would like to specify how your gift is used, to ensure your gift remains meaningful and practical, it's important to use flexible, broad wording, rather than narrow conditions. This helps your gift adapt over time.
Our Planned Giving team works closely with colleagues across the University and can support you in shaping your bequest. While we can't provide legal advice, we can offer practical guidance to help ensure your gift has the greatest possible impact.
We encourage broad bequests, which provide flexibility to meet evolving needs and priorities.
Our team can suggest wording to support your gift having the impact you intend.
For suggested wording, please contact the Planned Giving team or download our Gift in Will guide (pdf, 1MB), which includes templates for general, scholarship and research gifts.
We recommend consulting your legal, tax and financial advisors when making or updating your Will.
Your solicitor may request the below information:
Please note, if your bequest names a specific course, researcher, clinic, centre, or tightly defined purpose, it may become impossible to fulfil due to changes in academic programs, staff, or structure.
For a Will wording recommendation, please contact:
Email: planned.giving@sydney.edu.au
Phone: +61 8627 8811
Letting us know about your bequest is entirely optional, but we would be delighted to hear from you. It allows us to thank you, keep you informed, and understand your intentions.
We're here to support you, and will always:
To share your plans, please contact the Planned Giving team:
Email: planned.giving@sydney.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 8627 8811
We're often asked about this, and the honest answer is we can't know for sure. Bequests are usually received many years later, and costs for things like scholarships, or academic positions can change significantly over time.
While we can provide guidance based on current costs, fixed amounts may become outdated. That's why we recommend broadly purposed gifts with flexible wording that allows the University to honour your intentions even if circumstances change.
If you're considering a specific amount, including an inflation clause can help your gift retain its value over time.
Our Planned Giving team would be happy to talk through your goals and suggest options.
We are deeply grateful for every bequest and aim to honour each legacy meaningfully.
You might wish your gift to be named after you or a loved one, such as through scholarships or awards.
The most straightforward way to request your gift is named is to state in your Will that you would like a name associated with your gift.
Our Planned Giving team can help with wording to reflect this.
For a Will wording recommendation, please contact:
Email: planned.giving@sydney.edu.au
Phone: +61 8627 8811
Yes, solicitors often contact us on behalf of their clients, and we fully respect the wish for anonymity.
The Challis Bequest Society honours those who have included the University of Sydney in their Will. Many find membership is a rewarding way to stay connected.
It is free, with no obligations. You can opt out or update your preferences at any time.
Members enjoy:
A highlight of membership is our biennial luncheon in the Great Hall. The special event often features a keynote address, music by Conservatorium of Music students, and conversations with students and researchers supported by bequests.
It's our way of saying thank you.
To learn more or join, contact our Planned Giving team:
Email: planned.giving@sydney.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 8627 8811
As interest in bequests grows worldwide, we aim to raise awareness and offer meaningful conversations, always without pressure, to hear your thoughts.
When we ask about bequests, we do so with care and intention. These questions help us understand who of our alumni and supporters are on the journey of leaving a bequest – and how we can support. While some choose to include a gift in their Will privately, sharing your thinking or intention helps us to connect you to the areas of the University that matter most to you and explore how your gift can have a lasting impact.
Many in our community have engaged with us openly and thoughtfully on the topic of bequests: sharing feedback, asking questions, or expressing interest. For some, it might be the only way they can support a cause they care deeply about.
If you prefer not to be contacted or to opt out of our occasional communications, you can update your communication preferences at any time. To share or update preferences, please contact our Planned Giving team:
Email: planned.giving@sydney.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 8627 8811
Thank you for considering a gift in kind to the University of Sydney. These are non-cash donations, such as books, artworks, instruments, or historical items, that enrich our teaching, research, and collections.
If you're planning to leave a gift in kind in your Will, please consider the following: