Once you’ve submitted the form, we’ll update your details in as many systems as possible. We’re still developing how we display your personal details in our systems, but if you notice that a system you use isn’t updated, reply to the confirmation email after you’ve submitted the form or contact Monash Connect.

Legal name

We’ll update your legal name in our student database and in all Monash University systems. Just make sure you’ve also changed your name with the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink and the Unique Student Identifier (USI) registry (if relevant) – see what you’ll need to update for details.

After your legal name has been updated in our systems, your new legal name will be on any official academic documents issued from that point on. If you already received an official academic document with your old name on it, you’ll need to request a new one.

Preferred first name(s)

Your preferred first name(s) will be recorded in our student database, and displayed in a number of Monash University systems (instead of your legal first name). We’re still working on getting your preferred first name displayed in many of the Monash systems you use, but we’ll update your first name in as many places as we can.

There are a few systems and documents that will still need to display your legal first name (instead of your preferred first name), such as:

• official academic documents, including your academic record (transcript), and testamur (if you change your name, you’ll be able to update your name on your testamur before you graduate or request a replacement testamur)
• your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)
• the eAssessment platform (staff will be able to see your preferred first name and your legal name)
• your M-Pass (student ID) – your M-Pass can be used for official identification, so we won’t be able to use your preferred name.

Pronouns

Your pronouns will be recorded in our enquiry management system, so staff members can use your pronouns when referring to you internally (if you submit an enquiry). At the moment, your pronouns won’t be displayed in any student systems or to teaching staff, but we’re looking into this.

Gender

Your gender will be recorded in our student database and some of our other systems, for example, our enquiry management system.

The University is required to report gender information in our student database to the government. We’re working on improving how gender is captured at Monash, but at the moment, gender is recorded in our student database as F (female), M (male), or X (non-binary/gender diverse).

Communicating with teaching staff

It's a good idea to contact your teaching staff to share your pronouns, and let them know you've changed your name, or nominated a preferred first name(s).

If you're affirming your gender, you can find information, help and support on letting your lecturers and tutors know on our gender affirmation page.