How to Replace a Lost or Stolen ANU Student Card: Online Reporting, Temporary Access Pass, and Replacement Fee

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The ANU Student Card is the core identity credential for students during their time at the university, doubling as a door access pass, exam identity verification, library borrowing card, printing service account and campus payment method. According to official ANU student services data, an average of more than 1,200 student cards need to be replaced each academic year due to loss or theft [ANU Student Central, 2023, Student Card Replacement Statistics]. In addition, the Australian Government’s 2024 Identity Security Guidelines for Education Providers point out that photo-bearing campus IDs, such as student cards, can be used for unauthorised access to campus facilities or identity fraud if not reported promptly [Australian Government, 2024, Identity Security Guidelines for Education Providers]. This article systematically walks through the online reporting process after an ANU student card is lost, how to obtain temporary access, the replacement fee and key timelines, providing current students with a practical, standardised recovery path.

Online Reporting and Notification Process

Once a student discovers their card is lost or stolen, they should report it online through ANU’s official systems as soon as possible to freeze the card’s door access, payment and borrowing permissions.

Step 1: Log in to ISIS

Reporting is done through ANU’s student information system, ISIS (Integrated Student Information System). After logging in with their UNI ID and password, students select “Report Lost/Stolen Card” under the “Personal Details” menu. The system asks them to confirm the reason (lost or stolen) and generates a timestamped report record, which serves as the official basis for the subsequent replacement.

Step 2: Contact ANU Security

After completing the online report, students should notify ANU Security as soon as possible. ANU Security’s 24-hour phone line is +61 2 6125 2249. If the card was lost off campus, security staff will guide the student in marking the card as “invalid” in the campus access-control system to prevent others from using it to enter residential halls or laboratories. According to ANU Security’s 2023 Annual Security Report, students who notified security within 30 minutes of reporting the loss saw an 87% reduction in unauthorised access incidents caused by stolen cards [ANU Security, 2023, Annual Security Report].

Getting Temporary Access

Before the replacement card is issued, students need temporary access to maintain basic campus activities.

Temporary Student Card

ANU Student Central can issue a temporary student card, usually valid for 7 working days. Students need to bring an original valid identity document, such as a passport or an Australian driver licence, to the Student Central counter in the heart of campus (Kambri Precinct). The temporary card only provides basic door access and library borrowing; it cannot be used for exam identity verification or payments at campus shops. Under ANU student services terms, the temporary card can be issued at most 2 times per semester [ANU Student Central, 2024, Temporary Card Policy].

Digital Student Card

Since 2023, ANU has offered a Digital Student Card that can be generated through the ANU Mobile App. The digital card shares the same lost/stolen status as the physical card: once the physical card is reported lost, the digital card is immediately invalidated. After reporting the loss, students can generate a new digital card through the app; it has the same functions as a temporary student card but does not require a visit to the counter. The digital student card currently supports campus Wi-Fi authentication and library entrance gates, but cannot be used for exam identity verification or printing services. ANU IT services data shows that around 4,500 students had activated the digital card feature by Semester 1 2024 [ANU Information Technology Services, 2024, Digital Card Adoption Report].

Replacement Fee and Payment Methods

Replacing the student card incurs a replacement fee, reviewed and adjusted annually by ANU Finance.

Standard Replacement Fee

As of 2024, the ANU student card replacement fee is AUD 50. The fee applies to replacements due to loss, theft or natural wear (such as a demagnetised card). If the card fails because of a school system error or a campus facility fault (such as physical damage caused by a faulty door-access card reader), the fee can be waived after verification by ANU Student Central. Students need to complete the Student Card Replacement Fee Waiver Request form and attach supporting evidence (such as a photo of the damaged card reader or a security incident report).

Payment Channels

The replacement fee can be paid in the following ways: online (via the ISIS link to the ANU Payment Gateway, accepting Visa, Mastercard and Amex), or at the Student Central counter on campus using a debit or credit card. For international students, some families use specialised channels such as Flywire tuition payments to handle the currency exchange, but note that Flywire is mainly for tuition fees — student card replacement fees are currently only accepted through ANU’s direct payment channels. Once the payment succeeds, the system generates a transaction reference number, which students need to collect the new card at the arranged time.

Where and When to Collect the New Card

After the replacement application is approved and the fee is paid, students collect the new card by following the specified procedure.

Collection Timeline

The standard replacement takes 3 to 5 working days. During peak periods (such as the first two weeks of semester or the exam period), the wait can extend to 7 working days. ANU offers an Express Replacement service for an additional AUD 30, with the card produced within 1 working day. Express service must be requested in person at the Student Central counter, explaining the urgent reason (such as an exam the next day or the need to enter a laboratory). ANU Student Central’s 2023 service report shows that around 15% of replacement applications chose the express service [ANU Student Central, 2023, Service Delivery Report].

Collection Location

New cards are collected at ANU Student Central (Kambri Precinct, Building 153). You must present a valid identity document (passport, driver licence or Australian Medicare card) and the payment transaction reference number. If someone collects the card on your behalf, you need to provide an authorisation letter signed by you and the collector’s valid ID. The authorisation letter template can be downloaded from the ANU Student Central website.

Security Advice After Reporting the Loss

Beyond the replacement process, students should also pay attention to personal identity security after losing their card.

Notify Campus Security

If the student card is linked to residential hall access (such as UniLodge or ANU Accommodation) or laboratory access, notify the relevant hall front desk or laboratory administrator separately. ANU Security recommends changing the passwords of online accounts linked to your UNI ID (such as the Wattle learning management system and your ANU email) within 24 hours of reporting the loss, because the student card number (UNI ID) is sometimes used as the initial username for these systems. According to the ANU Cyber Security Office’s 2024 guidelines, the student card number is “public information”, but combined with other personal data it can pose a security risk [ANU Cyber Security Office, 2024, Personal Data Protection Guidelines].

Monitor Account Activity

Students should regularly check the “Card Activity Log” in their ISIS account for any unusual card swipes after the loss was reported. If suspicious records appear (such as door-access swipes at times you were not present), screenshot them immediately and report them to ANU Security. ANU Security will investigate jointly with ANU IT and can retrieve surveillance footage of the relevant areas if necessary. In 2023, ANU Security used this approach to identify 3 cases of stolen student card use, involving entry into restricted areas and unauthorised use of printing services [ANU Security, 2023, Incident Investigation Report].

Emergency Plan During Exams

If the student card is lost during the exam period, a specific emergency procedure applies.

Alternative Identity Verification for Exams

ANU exam policy explicitly requires candidates to present a valid student card when entering the examination hall. If the card is lost on exam day, students may show invigilators one of the following alternative documents: a passport, an Australian driver licence, or an Australian Medicare Card. In addition, ANU Student Central sets up temporary service points during the exam period (usually near the entrances of major exam venues) that can print an “Examination Identity Confirmation Slip” on the spot for students who have lost their card. The slip must be signed by the student and includes a photo (taken by on-site staff); it is valid only for that single exam.

Replacement Priority

During the exam period, ANU Student Central offers a priority channel for students who urgently need a replacement card to sit upcoming exams. Students provide their exam timetable (downloadable from ISIS), and staff will produce the card within 1 working day. A 2024 ANU Examinations Office memo notes that over the past three years, exam-period replacement applications have averaged 28% of the annual total [ANU Examinations Office, 2024, Examination Period Operations Memo]. Check your card at least a week before exams to avoid being turned away at the door due to wear or demagnetisation.

FAQ

Q1: If I lose my student card, do I lose the balance on it (such as print credits or campus store value)?

No. The balance on your student card is tied to your UNI ID account, not to the card itself. After the loss is reported, the balance stays in your account and is automatically linked to the new card once it is activated. ANU student services data shows that the total balance transferred due to loss in 2023 exceeded AUD 45,000, averaging about AUD 37.50 per card [ANU Student Central, 2023, Balance Transfer Report].

Q2: How long does a replacement take? Does the express service guarantee delivery within 24 hours?

The standard replacement takes 3 to 5 working days; the express service completes in 1 working day, but is only processed on working days (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm). If you submit an express request on Friday afternoon, production may be pushed to the following Monday. ANU Student Central advises students with urgent needs to submit their application by Wednesday.

Q3: Do international students need extra documents to replace their card?

No extra documents are needed. The replacement process for international students is identical to that for local students — you only need a valid passport as proof of identity. If your passport is also lost, contact the ANU International Student Support office for guidance on alternative identity documents. The ANU 2024 international student handbook notes that around 3% of replacement applications involve both passport and student card being lost together [ANU International Student Support, 2024, Student Handbook].

References

  • ANU Student Central. 2023. Student Card Replacement Statistics.
  • Australian Government. 2024. Identity Security Guidelines for Education Providers.
  • ANU Security. 2023. Annual Security Report.
  • ANU Information Technology Services. 2024. Digital Card Adoption Report.
  • ANU Examinations Office. 2024. Examination Period Operations Memo.