Frequently Asked Questions - Students

1. What should I do if I move?
2. When do I have to enrol?
3. Can I take more courses than I need for my degree?
4. Can I undertake online, distance or cross-institutional study?
5. Do I have to be full-time in every semester?
6. Can I participate in a student exchange program?
7. Can I take time off from my studies?
8. What happens if I fail?
9. Can I stay in Australia for a holiday when I finish my degree?
10. What happens if I complete my degree earlier than expected?
11. What happens if I know I will not complete my degree by the expected date?
12. Do I have to attend classes?
13. Can I transfer if I don't like my program?
14. What if I am studying on a business or tourist visa?
15. When will I be reported to the Federal Government?
16. What happens if my student visa is cancelled?
17. Where should I go if I am having problems?
18. What happens if I get sick or need to go home for personal reasons?
19. Can I complain if I am not satisfied with a service or area of the University?
20. Can I change to another University once I have completed the Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP)?
21. What happens if I fail the PEP?

1. What should I do if I move?

• you must update your contact details on Access Adelaide within 7 days of changing your address or phone number

2. When do I have to enrol?

• you must enrol every year promptly during the online enrolment period
• you must enrol for the full academic year at the beginning of the year
• you must be enrolled the whole time you are in Australia (apart from scheduled breaks in teaching)

3. Can I take more courses than I need for my degree?

• you may undertake more courses than are required to complete your degree – as long as the extra courses and the required courses can be completed before your visa expires

4. Can I undertake online, distance or cross-institutional study?

• you can undertake a maximum of 25% of your program by online or distance education if it is allowed under the program rules 
• you can not be enrolled only by online or distance education unless it's during a non-compulsory study period such as summer school

5. Do I have to be full-time in every semester?

• if you are a higher degree by research student you need to be enrolled full-time in every teaching session
• all other students are not required to be enrolled full-time every study period, however you are strongly advised to enrol in a 100% study load, which is 12 units in a semester
• if you don't maintain a 100% study load you might not complete your program within the duration specified in your CoE
• if you don't complete your program in the duration specified in your CoE, your visa can only be extended as a result of:
  • compassionate or compelling circumstances e.g. illness supported by a medical certificate stating that you were unable to attend classes
  • the University implementing an academic intervention strategy because you were at risk of not making satisfactory academic progress
  • you were granted an approved deferment or suspension of studies

• you must be enrolled in at least one course per semester and this must not be via online or distance education
• if you choose to enrol less than full-time during a semester, you must take extra courses in another study period, such as summer school, to ensure that you will complete within the duration specified in your CoE

6. Can I participate in a student exchange program?

• you are eligible to undertake any study abroad, exchange or in-country studies program offered by the University, in a country other than your home country. However, if you are accepted into an exchange program, you must strictly follow the instructions in the offer letter that will be sent to you by the Program Manager, Study Abroad, or you may be prevented from returning to Australia
• if you spend less than 6 months on exchange, any dependents who have been residing with you can remain in Australia while you are on exchange. However, you must make adequate provision for their care, schooling and financial support in your absence
• if you spend more than 6 months on exchange, any dependents who have been residing with you cannot remain in Australia while you are undertaking the exchange program
• you cannot undertake an exchange program in your home country

7. Can I take time off from my studies?

• you are expected to complete you studies without interruption
• you must apply for leave according to the University's Student Leave of Absence Policy
• leave will be granted for up to one year
• however, DIAC has more restrictions on leave of absence than the University does
• DIAC will only approve leave of absence for visa purposes for a maximum of 6 months and only where there are documented medical or compassionate grounds for the leave
• if you take leave from your studies for longer than 6 months your visa might be cancelled
• the University will still hold your place for you if your visa is cancelled, but you will only be able to re-enrol in your studies if you are granted a new visa
• you will normally be expected to leave Australia for the period of your leave

8. What happens if I fail?

• your student visa requires you to maintain satisfactory academic performance
• simply failing one or two courses will not usually mean you will be deemed to have not maintained satisfactory academic performance
• you should be familiar with your Faculty's Review of Academic Progress Policy, which defines academic performance
• if you make unsatisfactory progress as defined by your Faculty, your progress will be reviewed and you may be precluded from further study
• if you are precluded from further study your visa will be cancelled and you will have difficulty having another student visa to Australia granted

9. Can I stay in Australia for a holiday when I finish my degree?

• you must leave the country by the time your visa expires
• if you wish to stay longer to attend graduation, have a holiday or for any other reason, you must apply for a tourist visa

10. What happens if I complete my degree earlier than expected?

• you must leave the country within 28 days of completing your program - even if your visa is not due to expire
• the University will notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of your early completion and DIAC will check that you leave Australia

11. What happens if I know I will not complete my degree by the expected date?

• if you don't complete your program in the duration specified in your CoE, your visa can only be extended as a result of:
  • compassionate or compelling circumstances e.g. illness supported by a medical certificate stating that you were unable to attend classes
  • the University implementing an academic intervention strategy because you were at risk of not making satisfactory academic progress
  • you were granted an approved deferment or suspension of studies
• if you believe that you will not complete in the duration specified in your CoE, you must discuss your options with your School

12. Do I have to attend classes?

• you are expected to attend all scheduled lectures, tutorials, workshops and other classes
• if you do not attend 80% of classes in every teaching session, you are in breach of your visa conditions
• if you are in a Foundation Studies program, a Pre-Enrolment English Program, or a VET course (Music or TESOL) the University will systematically monitor your attendance and report to DIAC where your attendance is unsatisfactory
• if you are in a degree or diploma, the University may monitor your attendance and will report to DIAC where your attendance is unsatisfactory
• in all cases if you do not attend classes you will risk failure and review of academic progress

13. Can I transfer if I don't like my program?

• Students who have the words "no change of provider" on their student visa label may not change the education provider of their preliminary or principal program within the first 6 months without obtaining a letter of release from the University and permission from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) before they change. This means you will need to spend 6 months studying a program at the University of Adelaide, in addition to any time you spend completing bridging studies or Foundation Studies.
• Students will be required to provide evidence that exceptional circumstances exist justifying their change of enrolment if they wish to transfer to another institution before this time has elapsed.
• To download the Application to Transfer Education Provider Form click here (pdf 82kB).
• This condition does not apply to changing academic program within the same University. If you are considering changing your program, visit the International Student Centre or the International Office for a 'Change of Academic Program' form.
• Students who, at any time after arrival in Australia, wish to change their principal program of study must apply for a new visa in the subclass appropriate to their new principal program, if the new course is in a different education sector (eg. changing from a program at TAFE to one at a university).

14. What if I am studying on a business or tourist visa?

• then the ESOS Act does not apply to you and you do not need to follow the advice above. You should consult your visa conditions and DIAC for detailed information

15. When will I be reported to the Federal Government?

• you will be reported to DEST and DIAC whenever there is any change in the conditions of your student visa. This includes where you:
  • do not commence your studies
  • start your program late
  • need to extend the duration of your program
  • withdraw
  • take an approved leave of absence
  • complete your program early
  • do not enrol at the required time
  • enrol in less than one course per semester that is not via online or distance education
  • transfer to another University of Adelaide program
  • transfer to another institution
  • make unsatisfactory progress
  • fail to meet attendance requirements for Foundation Studies or PEP
  • some of these reports are for record-keeping only and will not have any impact on your student visa

When will I be at risk of my student visa being cancelled?

•  
  • when you are reported because you:
    • do not commence you studies
    • withdraw
    • complete your program early
    • make unsatisfactory progress
    • do not enrol at the required time
    • enrol in less than one course per semester that is not via online or distance education
    • fail to meet attendance requirements for Foundation Studies or PEP

16. What happens if my student visa is cancelled?

• you have to leave Australia within 28 days, unless you successfully apply to the Minister for the cancellation to be revoked, or successfully apply for a different type of visa
• if you do not leave within the required time you will be subject to detention and removal from Australia. You may also face a 3-year exclusion period during which you will be ineligible to apply for a new visa to Australia

17. Where should I go if I am having problems?

• if the problems are directly related to a course or program, you should go to your faculty office
• for any other problems you should go to the International Student Centre. An adviser there can assist or refer you to the Counselling Centre, Language and Learning Service, Mathematics Learning Service, Learning and Disability Access, Education and Welfare Officers, Accommodation Service, Student Policy and Appeals, Child Care Services, Careers Services, Health and Dental Services, Employment Services and Overseas Students Association, as appropriate

18. Can I complain if I am not satisfied with a service or area of the University?

• you may make a suggestion or lodge a complaint about any academic, administrative or support services of the University, through the Student Complaints Policy

19. Can I change to another University once I have completed the Pre-Enrolment English Program (PEP)?

• Students who have the words "no change of provider" on their student visa label may not change the education provider of their principal program within the first 6 months without obtaining a letter of release from the University and permission from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) before they change. This means you will need to spend 6 months studying a program at the University of Adelaide, in addition to any time you spend completing the Pre-Enrolment English Program.
• Students will be required to provide evidence that exceptional circumstances exist justifying their change of enrolment if they wish to transfer to another institution before this time has elapsed.
• To download the Application to Transfer Education Provider Form click here (pdf 82kB).

• you can sit the IELTS and try to qualify for entry to a University of Adelaide program that way, or
• you can apply for a place in a CRICOS-registered program at another institution, or
• you can leave Australia