Deferring your Program

In some cases, international students can defer their program for one or two semesters (a maximum of up to one year).

If you have not accepted your offer, you must complete the Deferral of Offer form. Click here for the form

If you have accepted your offer, you must complete the Deferral of Acceptance form. Click here for this form.

Instructions for this form are below:

Deferral of Acceptance form

Visa has not been granted

Indicate this on the form. Fill out all the relevant areas and fax the completed form to International Services on: +(613) 9663 6925

Visa has been granted

Attach evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances which prevented you from enrolling in your program on time. Acceptable circumstances include:

  • serious illness or injury (medical certificate)
  • bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (documentation required)
  • major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel and this has impacted on the student’s studies
  • a traumatic experience which could include: involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident; or witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, and this has impacted on the student (police or psychologists’ reports)
  • where RMIT University was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit
  • Failure to meet the condition on the Acceptance Letter
  • delay in receiving a student visa (dated documentation required)

Indicate your reason for deferral on the form. Attach evidence of your reason. Fill out all of the relevant areas and fax the completed form and attachments to International Services on: +(613) 9663 6925

If your visa has been granted, but your reason for deferring is not a compassionate or compelling reason, RMIT University must report this as a “non-commencement” (i.e. did not start studies) to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You will need to contact (DIAC) for information on how this will affect your student visa

If your visa has been granted, but you apply to defer more than 14 days after the commencement date on your CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment), you must contact International Services immediately for advice:

Phone +(613) 9925 5156

Fax + (613) 9663 6925

ivisainfo@rmit.edu.au

When RMIT University receives your application to defer, your application is reassessed to determine if an offer can be made for the newly requested semester. You will be notified if your request is approved or declined.

Note: no application fee is paid for deferring the first time. However, you are required to pay an application fee if you defer for a second time.

For more information about deferring, please email: ISvisa@rmit.edu.au