Privacy concerns have stopped Sydney University from joining the rollout of student Opal concession cards, with new figures showing only five of 290 eligible tertiary institutions have signed on.

Institutions are required to "share eligibility information" with Transport for NSW before their students can begin using Opal card in February.

Concerns: Students will not be able to order an Opal concession card until their relevant institution participates. Credit:Peter Rae

"The university is seeking to resolve the privacy considerations against the convenience of accessing the Opal card," said a spokeswoman for the University of Sydney.

"It would need to provide student data. We are currently in discussion with the government [about this]."