ESOS and Student Visa Compliance

The Australian Government manages the overseas student program. This allows a student to apply for a student visa to undertake a program or part of a program in Australia. Special rules apply to student visa holders. Breaking the student visa regulations may lead to cancellation of your visa. It is important that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Students

Representatives (Agents)

RMIT University employs a network of registered representatives (agents) around the world to assist you with program and application queries. If you would like to provide feedback about our representatives (agents) services, please complete the Feedback on Representatives (Agents) Form and submit it to the International Student Services Centre, located at Building 108, Level 4, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.

Visa Application Procedures-New Students

The process of obtaining your visa is different in each country. For information about application procedures, contact your nearest Australian Diplomatic Post (Embassy, High Commission, Consulate or Consulate-General) or Australian Education Centre. You can find your local diplomatic office at: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm

Student visa applications are given assessment levels. Assessment levels are determined by:

  1. The nationality of the applicant.
  2. The student visa subclass being applied for (this refers to the type of program you will study in Australia).

The assessment level will determine what documents (such as: financial records and language certificates) will be required for visa application. Please use the following link to check which documents you will be required to submit: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/chooser/index.htm

Student Visa Applicants-Under 18 Years of Age

Students who are under 18 years of age at the time of visa application must have approved care and accommodation arrangements in place. Appropriate care and accommodation arrangements must be in place until the student turns 18.

The following care arrangements are appropriate:

  1. The student resides with a close relative who has been approved by Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
  2. The parents nominate an RMIT approved caregiver company
  3. The parents appoint a family friend or relative who then goes through the approval process with RMIT University international Services.

For further information about care arrangements and accommodation options please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/guardianship

Please note that care and accommodation arrangements must be finalised before visa application documentation can be issued by RMIT. Parents wishing to use the third option (family friend or relative) must be aware that this will require the nominated caregiver to submit to a character assessment by government agencies and to attend an interview at the university. It is requested that parents allow adequate time for these checks to be carried out.

For more information, please email: ISunder18@rmit.edu.au

Visa Application Procedures-Current Students

Students may apply for a further student visa whilst in Australia, provided current student visas are not subject to a ‘no further stay’ condition. Students are required to apply for a new visa before their current student visa expires. Students with a student visa from a previous provider must notify DIAC of their change.

Students who have not completed their program should see http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/visa_renewal for RMIT procedures for extending their stay.

If you wish to extend your stay in Australia for graduation, repeating failed units, travel or migration purposes please check: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/extending_your_stay/index.htm

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Working and Tax File Numbers

In Australia you will be required to submit a taxation return showing the amount you have earned each year. If you are intending to work, it is recommended that you apply for a tax file number. Forms are available from: http://www.ato.gov.au

Student Obligations–Student Visa Conditions

All student visas granted are subject to a number of conditions. Whilst you are studying in Australia you are required to comply with these conditions. All students should be familiar with their visa label which outlines the visa conditions below:

New Permission to Work

People granted student visas on or after 26 April 2008 will receive permission to work with their visa grant. This will apply to both the primary student and any family members travelling with them on their student visa. As a result, most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.

For further information see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/workpermit

Deferral of Programs

Students who are unable to commence programs they have accepted should contact RMIT University International Services immediately to discuss their options. In some cases it may be possible to defer commencement for one semester. For information and the deferral form, please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/defer

Course Enrolment and Attendance

  • You must be enrolled in a full-time registered program.
  • You must attend at least 80% of all scheduled classes.
  • You must complete your study within the expected program duration. The expected duration is given on your eCoE (Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment), that was used to get your student visa. To complete your program in the expected duration, you will usually need to be enrolled in a 100% load each semester.
    There are now situations, however, where you can enrol in a less than full-time load:
    • as part of a documented academic performance improvement plan with your School and authorised by your Dean of Academic Development;
    • when you have compassionate or compelling circumstances, documented by your School and Dean of Academic Development;
    • when you have undertaken extra study (i.e. summer semester courses);
    • when you only have a few courses left to complete and these do not constitute a full-time load.

Please note: if you do not maintain a full-time load and you do not have a valid reason, if you do not complete your program within the expected duration you will not have grounds to apply for a new eCoE from RMIT. Please see the Visa Renewals

For more information, email: ESOS@rmit.edu.au

Please see here for more information about full-time study:

http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/nationalcodestd.

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Academic Progress

International students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout their program. Failure to achieve this will lead to students being deemed "at risk", and can lead to exclusion from your program. RMIT's academic progress policy and procedures are available here: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=det2rlnje0ay .

A student who has been found to have unsatisfactory academic performance for a second teaching period in the same program may be deemed to have established unsatisfactory academic progress. RMIT is required to report students who have made unsatisfactory academic progress to DIAC. Such a report can lead to the cancellation of the student visa. Students are notified of the University's decision to report to DIAC, and of their right to appeal this decision. Students who are reported to DIAC for attendance or for unsatisfactory academic performance should contact International Student Services Centre to discuss what will happen, at: level 4, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne; via telephone on +61 3 9925 5115; or email: ISservices@rmit.edu.au. If you are worried about your academic progress, please contact:

  • Study and Learning Centre, http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre. Staff here can offer free assistance in English language, study skills, academic writing and undergraduate Maths and Science.
  • ISIS (International Student Information and Support), http://www.rmit.edu.au/isis. Staff provide guidance, support and advice on international student issues.

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Change of Education Provider

Please see the transfer of provider section

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Change of Program

International students may be eligible to change programs within RMIT. To apply for a change of program please complete and submit the Change of Program form. Changing programs may have visa implications and this must be discussed with International Services at the time of change.

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Contact Address in Australia

You must advise RMIT of your home address within seven days of arriving in Australia. If you change your address during your stay in Australia, you must update your details within seven days. For further information on how to do this please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/student_address

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Leave of Absence

To apply for Leave of Absence, you must show that you have “compassionate or compelling” circumstances. Your Leave will need to be approved by your Head of School and authorised by International Services.

Please note: if you are granted Leave of Absence, you must leave Australia within 28 days. If you are away for more than six months, your visa may be cancelled. Please contact DIAC for information about your visa before submitting a Leave of Absence application.

Examples of acceptable “compassionate or compelling” circumstances include:

  • serious illness or injury (supported by medical certificate which states the student was unable to attend classes)
  • bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (supporting documentation required)
  • major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel, which has impacted on the student's studies (supporting documentation required)
  • a traumatic experience eg, involvement in, or witnessing a serious accident,
  • witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime (supported by police or psychologists' reports)
  • RMIT University was unable to offer a prerequisite unit or courses needed to meet award requirements
  • delay in receiving a student visa (supported by relevant, dated visa documentation)
  • other (attach supporting documentation)

Click here for the Leave of Absence forms

For more information, email: ESOS@rmit.edu.au

Or visit: International Student Service Centre

RMIT Building 108
Level 4, 239 Bourke St, Melbourne
Phone: 9925 5106/ 5103

Students Under 18 Years of Age

If RMIT approved your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements, you must have RMIT’s written approval prior to changing these arrangements.

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Finances

You must have enough money to provide for all of your (and your dependants’) living expenses, tuition and travel costs while in Australia.

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School Age Dependants

You are responsible for the provision of education for any school age dependants that you bring to Australia. It is compulsory for school age children to attend school while they are in Australia.

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Health Insurance

You and your family must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay in Australia as an international student. RMIT University International Services arranges health cover through Medibank Private for you at the commencement of your program.

For further information please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/health

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Early Completions

Students who complete their program early or decide to exit with a lesser degree will be reported to DIAC for early completion. In such cases you will be required to enrol in an alternative programs or leave the country. The visa expiry date in the passport is no longer valid in these instances.

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Program Gaps

Students may only have a maximum of eight weeks break between programs. Students who finish their pathway program earlier than this will need to leave Australia or enrol in alternative study during the interim.

Transfer to Another Provider

Students who wish to cancel their enrolment at RMIT and transfer to another education provider can do so freely after six months of study in their principal program. (If you are here to study a single program, that is the principal program. If you are here to study more than one program, the principal program is the final program of a packaged offer.)

Students are restricted from transferring to another Australian education provider if they have not finished six calendar months of study in their principal program.

If you want to transfer before you have finished six months of study in your principal program, you must apply to International Services for a Release Letter.

Applying for a Release Letter

To apply for a Release Letter, you must submit an Application to Transfer Provider form to International Services. Click here for the Application to Transfer Provider form. You need to:

  • Provide a copy of a valid Offer Letter from another institution
  • Meet one of the grounds for release. The grounds for release are:
    • RMIT has cancelled/ceased to offer your program (letter from RMIT required)
    • Government sponsor considers the change to be in your best interest, if you are a sponsored student (written confirmation from sponsor required)
    • Unable to meet academic requirements for entry into program (documentation required)
    • Exceptional circumstances (documentation required). Exceptional circumstances are circumstances beyond the student's control. Evidence is required.

Under 18 students: If you are under 18 years of age, written confirmation that your parents or guardian support the transfer will also be required. If your care arrangements are being approved by RMIT, your new provider need to accept responsibility for approving your care arrangements from a suitable date before RMIT can release you.

A letter of release will not be granted if the student:

  • Does not satisfy the requirements outlined above;
  • Has already cancelled their enrolment at RMIT University.

Please refer to RMIT's Suspension of Studies procedure.

Outcomes

Students will be notified of the outcome of their application via student email, within ten working days of lodging the application with International Services.

Approved: If your application is approved, you will be notified via student email and you will need to meet with the Student Visa Coordinator to collect the Release Letter. You will be advised to notify DIAC of change of provider and for visa advice; to cancel your enrolment at RMIT; and to submit a refund application if appropriate.

Rejected: If your application is rejected, you will be informed via student email. This notification will include information about your right to lodge an appeal against this decision. If you choose to appeal, you must lodge an appeal in writing with the Director, International Services, within 20 working days of the email notification. The address is:

RMIT University Building 108
Level 4, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne
GPO Box 2476V
Melbourne, Victoria 3001
Australia

If you choose to lodge an appeal, you must remain enrolled and attend all classes as normal until the process is complete.

For more information, email: ESOS@rmit.edu.au

Or visit: International Student Service Centre

RMIT Building 108
Level 4, 239 Bourke St, Melbourne
Phone: 9925 5106/ 5103

Visa Renewals

To renew your student visa, you need to apply for a new eCoE from International Services. To do this you must fill out the “Visa Renewal Documentation Request Form”. You need to indicate why you are applying for an extension, and you MUST attach supporting documentation.

The reasons for requiring an extension are:

  • Intervention strategy in place (your school must attach documentation)
  • RMIT approved deferment or leave of absence
  • Change of program, or Transfer of provider
  • Compassionate or compelling circumstances:

This is one of the following reasons. You must attach supporting documents:

    • serious illness or injury (supported by medical certificate which states the student was unable to attend classes)
    • bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (supporting documentation required)
    • major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel, which has impacted on the student's studies (supporting documentation required)
    • a traumatic experience eg, involvement in, or witnessing a serious accident,
    • witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime (supported by police or psychologists' reports)
    • RMIT University was unable to offer a prerequisite unit or courses needed to meet award requirements
    • delay in receiving a student visa (supported by relevant, dated visa documentation)
    • failed occasional courses throughout the program
    • academic progress prior to 1 July 2007 meant unable to complete within expected duration
    • other (attach supporting documentation)

Remember: you must attach supporting documentation for your request to be processed.

For more information on the visa renewal process, please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/visa_renewal

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Postgraduate Research Students

Postgraduate research students may apply for an extension whilst their thesis is being marked. Special conditions apply to this type of extension:

  • Students should not be enrolled for this period and will not be given an eCOE.
  • Students may only apply an extension up to six months long.
  • The program coordinator will be required to write a letter for the student to take to DIAC. The letter must contain certain information and the template is available from RMIT University International Sevices

For further information, email ISvisa@rmit.edu.au

'No Further Stay'

Some visas have a 'no further stay' condition. This usually means that you cannot extend your visa after the end of the program. If you have a ‘no further stay’ condition on your visa you may need to discuss your options with DIAC if you wish to stay in Australia after you complete your program.

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Important Contacts

Student Visa Coordinator

Tel: +61 3 9925 5115
Email: ISvisa@rmit.edu.au

International Student Service Centre

RMIT Building 108
Level 4, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 9925 5106/ 5103
Fax: +61 3 9663 6925
Email: ISservices@rmit.edu.au

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