FAQs for international student visa requirements

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and National Code 2007

ESOS Framework: Australian Government information

ESOS and student visa information

Future students

Meeting my student visa requirements

Attendance and Enrolment

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Academic progress

Deferring, Leave of Absence or Cancelling Enrolment

Renewing my student visa

Finishing my Program

Working in Australia

More information

Can I convert my tourist or business class visa to a student visa while I am in Australia?

Students from country assessment level 1 are permitted to convert to a student visa in Australia. Students from country assessment level 2,3 and 4 will be required to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to convert to a student visa in Australia. For more information contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Can I apply for packaged programs?

Yes, all students are able to apply for a packaged program. A packaged program is a preliminary program followed by a principal program of study.

An example of a package is: an English language program; followed by a Foundation Studies program; followed by a Bachelor Degree.

Will the Australian Embassy accept a faxed copy of my electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCOE)?

Yes. Australian Diplomatic Posts can access this electronic copy. This form is submitted electronically via the Provider Registration and International Students Management System (PRISMS).

If I am under 18 years of age, will I be permitted to study in Australia?

Yes. You will be required to have made Guardianship arrangements in place before your student visa can be approved.

For more information go to: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/guardianship or visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm

As a student visa holder, can I enrol into any program at RMIT University?

No. As an international student visa holder, you can only enrol in programs that have a CRICOS code. This is a Government accredited code. For a list of CRICOS-registered program, please go to the international student webpages for programs and fees.

What do I do if I change my address?

If you have condition 8533 labelled on your student visa, you must notify RMIT University of your new address within 7 days of arrival. You need to fill out the Change of Address form and submit it to an RMIT Hub.

If you change address, you must notify RMIT within 7 days of moving to the new address. Fill out the Change of Address form and submit it to an RMIT Hub.

If you have condition 8506 labelled in your visa, you must notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and RMIT at least two working days before you move to your new address.

Do I need to have overseas student health cover (OSHC)?

Yes. It is compulsory for international students and their dependants to have OSHC for the duration of your studies in Australia. This is a student visa requirement. You are responsible for ensuring you have valid OSHC cover at all times. Further information is available on the Medibank’s website. http://www.medibank.com.au

Can I change my program after I have enrolled at RMIT University?

Yes. You must apply to change your program, and this must be approved by the Head of Department/School. You can apply by filling out the Change of Program form and submitting it to International Services If you change education sectors (for example from a bachelor degree to a TAFE diploma), you will be required to submit a new visa application. For further information please contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) or International Services.

Can I leave RMIT and change to another education institution?

You must remain enrolled at RMIT for at least six calendar months in your principal program. For more information please go to: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/nationalcode2007student#Transfer

Do I have to be enrolled full-time?

International students studying in Australia on a student visa need to complete their program within the expected duration. The expected duration is the duration specified on the eCoE you use to get your student visa. For more information please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/nationalcode2007student#Fulltimestudy

Can I enrol in an online course of study?

Yes. However, there are limitations:

  • in a compulsory study period, you must be enrolled in at least one face-to-face course; and
  • your total program cannot have more than 25% of online and distance courses.

For more information, please visit: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/nationalcode2007student#OnlineDisStudy

Can I withdraw from a course and re-enrol in summer/winter school?

Summer/winter school courses are subject to availability. You must find out if the course will be offered before altering your enrolment. You must complete your program within the expected duration, so you cannot withdraw from courses if this means you will not complete on time.

However, you can enrol in summer/winter school courses to repeat a failed course or to finish your program more quickly. Approval to study a summer/winter school course is given by your Program Coordinator. All enquiries should be referred to your Academic Program Coordinator.

Can I repeat a course/subject more than once?

Yes.

Is attendance monitored?

Attendance is monitored in TAFE and Pre-University programs like Foundation Studies, ELICOS programs and VCE.

Is there a minimum attendance requirement?

All students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled contact hours. This is a condition of international student visas issued by the Australian Government.

What happens if I am a TAFE / Foundation Studies / ELICOS / VCE student and my attendance falls below 80%?

Your Program Coordinator will attempt to contact you, either by phone or email. If you do not respond, a formal letter will be sent via registered mail to your address requesting an interview.

You will be required to provide reasons for non-attendance. You may also be required to enter into a negotiated plan of action so that you do not go beneath the 80%. If you do not respond to the formal written letter or fail to comply with the plan of action, the School will forward advice to the Student Visa Coordinator at International Services.

International Services will then inform you of its intention to report information about the breach of the student visa to DIAC. You have 20 working days to appeal. If you do not access the appeals process, or the appeals finding is against you, RMIT will make its report to DIAC. You will then have 28 days to respond to that notice to DIAC. This may result in the cancellation of your student visa.

What happens if I am away for more than five consecutive days?

You should contact your Program Coordinator immediately. You may be required to provide documentary evidence such as medical certificates. Approval must be attained from your Program Coordinator for any absences exceeding five consecutive days.

Can I do an Open Universities Australia (OUA) course?

No. International students can only study at education providers that are listed on the CRICOS register (http://cricos.dest.gov.au)

While studying at RMIT, can I study at another educational institution?

Yes. You may wish to undertake a course in addition to your study at RMIT. You can do this, as long as you will still complete your RMIT program within the expected duration.

As part of my study RMIT, can I study one or two courses at another University?

This can only be approved when your School has formal arrangements in place with the other educational provider. All enquiries should go to your Program Coordinator.

Can I enrol in more than one program?

The Australian Government does not allow international students to be enrolled in more than one formal, full-time CRICOS registered program of study at any one time.

What academic progress must I make to meet student visa requirements?

The Australian Government expects international students to progress through their studies at a pace that will ensure completion within the standard duration of a program for which a visa is granted.

For example, if your program requires three years of full-time study, your visa will have been granted for three academic years and you will be expected to complete your program within this time period.

What is 'unsatisfactory progress'?

The Australian Government's specific requirements state that international students' academic progress may be regarded as unsatisfactory if it appears likely that the program will not be successfully completed within the minimum standard time due to the failure of a number of courses.

RMIT University has specific policies governing unsatisfactory academic progress.

What should I do if I think my academic progress might be 'unsatisfactory'?

You should contact your Program Coordinator or your School or Departmental International Student Advisor to discuss your progress as soon as possible.

Assistance and advice is also available from staff in the following areas:

International Student Information and Support (ISIS):http://www.rmit.edu.au/isis

Study and Learning Centre: http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre

Deferring, Leave of Absence or Cancelling Enrolment

A leave of absence or cancellation of enrolment may be initiated by RMIT University for:

  • Non-payment of any fees owing to RMIT University
  • Unsatisfactory academic progress, as defined in RMIT's policies
  • Misconduct, as defined in RMIT’s policies
  • Failure to comply with any applicable standards of conduct, statutes, regulations, policies and procedures of the University which provide for enrolment deferral, suspension or cancellation as an outcome of such failure to comply.

Can I defer?

If you have enrolled, you cannot defer; you may need to apply for a Leave of Absence. If you have not yet enrolled, you may be able to defer. For further information on deferring, please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/esosstudent#deferral

Can I apply for a Leave of Absence?

Yes. For more information, please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/nationalcode2007student#LOA

Can I cancel my enrolment and study somewhere else?

You are restricted from transferring to another Australian education provider if you have not finished 6 calendar months of study in your principal program. (If you are here to study a single program, that program 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.)

If you want to transfer before you have done 6 calendar months of study in the principal program, you have to apply to International Services for a Release Letter. For more information, please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/nationalcode2007student#Transfer

Do I have to leave Australia if I cancel my enrolment?

If you cancel your enrolment and enrol somewhere else, you must notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for visa advice.

If you cancel your enrolment and do not enrol anywhere else, you will have 28 working days to leave Australia. You must seek approval from Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to stay in Australia after this time.

Can I renew my student visa in Australia?

If you have not finished your program within the expected time and your visa is due to expire, you can apply to renew your student visa in Australia – if your current student visa does not have the ‘no further stay’ condition.

You will need to extend your visa before your current visa expires. For further information, please see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/visa_renewal

If I finish my program early, can I stay in Australia until my visa expires?

No. You must leave the country within 28 working days. If you wish to stay longer you must seek approval from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). RMIT must notify DIAC of your early completion.

Can I apply for a tourist visa after completing my program?

You must contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Can I work in Australia while I am studying?

All international student visas have condition 8101 (‘No Work’) attached.

Visa holders with this condition can apply for permission to work only after they have commenced their studies. For more information go to: http://www.rmit.edu.au/international/workpermit

Can my dependants work while I am studying in Australia?

Yes. Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for more information.

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Do I need a tax file number and how do I apply for one?

Yes, it is recommended. You will need a tax file number for banking and if you get a job. An application form can be picked up from at any Australia Post Office.

How can I obtain more information on Australian Government regulations relating to International Students?

The Australian Government's legal requirements of education providers and international students are contained in two key documents:

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