Encumbrances

An encumbrance is a sanction applied to students with outstanding fees in accordance with University policy. This will affect your access to University services.

You may be encumbered for non-payment of student fees, or for outstanding Library fees. The effects are different depending on the kind of encumbrance applied.

Encumbrances for outstanding Library fees

If an encumbrance has been applied for outstanding Library fees:

• You will not be able to borrow from the Library;
• You will not be able to access your exam results;
• We will not issue academic documents or transcripts related to your enrolment;
• You will not be able to graduate

Once the Library fines have been paid it may take up to two days before your access to services is restored.

You may be able to access Library services sooner if you show Library staff that you have paid your fines.

Student Centres can not remove encumbrances for outstanding Library fees.

You can pay by

• iPay (payment will be processed on the next working day for Pay Now transactions, and when the payment is received for Pay Later transactions);
• ID card or photocopy card debit at any UWS Library.
• Cheque (made out to UWS Library) at any UWS Library.

^ back to top

Related Links

• iPay

Encumbrances for outstanding student fees

If you have an encumbrance for unpaid student fees:

• You will not be able to borrow from the Library;
• You will not be able to access your exam results;
• We will not issue academic documents or transcripts related to your enrolment;
• You will not be able to graduate;
• Your access to the University facilities and services, including vUWS and other Information Technology resources, will be withdrawn;
• Your enrolment in the current session may be cancelled;
• You may not be able to re-enrol for the next teaching session.

Students who have not paid their fees by the due date will have an encumbrance placed on their student record. In order to have this encumbrance removed, all outstanding fees must be paid.

International students whose enrolment is cancelled will be reported to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) as required by legislation.

^ back to top

What do I do if I haven't paid my fees?

If you have an encumbrance on your student record you must pay all outstanding fees before the encumbrance can be lifted.

There are a number of ways you can pay your student fees. Please go to payment options to view these options. Alternatively, these are listed on the bottom of your Student Fees Account, accessible through MySR.

If you have outstanding debt, any payment made will be allocated to these outstanding amounts first. If the payment you have made is greater than your outstanding debt, then the remaining amount will be paid against your other liabilities such as student contribution or tuition fees.

^ back to top

Related Links

• Payment options
• iPay

What happens now that I have paid my fees?

After you have paid your outstanding fees, the University will automatically lift your encumbrance and restore your access to services. Please allow at least four working days for this to occur. If you would like your access to services restored urgently, take your payment receipt to any Student Centre, and they can lift your encumbrance immediately. Please read the following sections for information about how soon each service can be restored once the encumbrance has been lifted.

^ back to top

When will I be able to see my results?

Once your encumbrance has been lifted it will take 24–48 hours before your results are available on PlatformWeb.

^ back to top

Related Links

• PlatformWeb

When will I be able to use WebCT?

Once your encumbrance has been lifted it may take up to a day for your access to WebCT to be restored. If your encumbrance is removed before 11am, you may be able to access WebCT after 2pm. If your encumbrance is removed before 3pm, you may be able to access WebCT after 5pm, and if it is later than this, you may not be able to access WebCT until after 2pm the next day.

^ back to top

Related Links

• WebCT

When will I be able to use Library facilities?

Once your encumbrance has been lifted it may take 24–48 hours before your privileges are restored.

If you would like your Library access restored urgently, Library staff may be able to re-instate your privileges by confirming your payment on the student records system. Staff are not able to re-instate privileges by sighting a payment receipt, and are not able to re-instate privileges over the weekend.

^ back to top

Related Links

• Fees
• MyUWS
• iPay