Apply for a leave of absence

In most cases you can apply for a leave of absence if you're enrolled in a program at RMIT. If you're a new student who hasn't yet enrolled, you need to defer your place rather than take a leave of absence.

International students

International students on a student visa can only apply for a leave of absence if compassionate or compelling circumstances apply.

Travel restrictions

If you are unable to start Semester 1 due to travel restrictions, we will accept your application for a leave of absence based on compassionate and compelling circumstances.

We understand that you may have difficulty getting documents to support your application at this time, so please provide us with what detail you can. RMIT looks forward to welcoming you back to study as soon as possible.

How to apply

Apply for a leave of absence before your census date to avoid paying fees.

If you're a higher education student, you must also apply before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty.

Most students* can apply for a leave of absence by following these steps:

Log in to Enrolment Online.
Go to My student record.
Select Apply for leave of absence.
Follow the screen prompts to select your leave period.
Upload supporting documents, if necessary.
Submit your application.
Track the status of your application via Enrolment Online > My student record > Track my application.

The outcome of your application or a request for more information will be sent to your RMIT student email account.

Changed your mind and want to cancel your leave of absence application? Find out how.

_{*Except for research students, VCE students, students at RMIT Vietnam and students at partner institutes outside Australia.}

Research students

Research students must apply by completing an Application for leave of absence form (PDF). You need to get approval from your School before the enrolment deadline.

Students at partners outside Australia

Students studying at partner institutions, visit Leave of absence for students in partner institutions page for information on how to apply and to download the application form.

Stay connected

We might need to contact you during your leave with important information. Continue to check your RMIT student email account and, if needed, update your personal details.

Returning from leave

Once your leave of absence period ends, you'll need to enrol in the next study semester by the enrolment deadline. If you don't, you may lose your place in your program.

We'll email you ahead of the enrolment period to explain the enrolment process and deadline.

Cancel/withdraw your leave of absence request

If you change your mind and want to cancel your leave of absence request after you've submitted it, you can do so. You must cancel your leave of absence request before your census date.

If you have missed classes while on leave of absence, you will need to catch up on the course material covered. For this reason, we advise that you talk to your course and/or program coordinator and consider your personal circumstances before you cancel your leave of absence request.

If your leave of absence request has not yet been approved by RMIT

Go to Enrolment Online and login using your student number and password
From the list, select ‘track my requests’
In the column called ‘status’, click ‘assessment required’
Click ‘retract’ in the bottom right-hand corner
When you return to the main screen, the information in the ‘status’ column will change to ‘retracted by student’.
You can recommence your studies straight away – you don’t need to wait for confirmation that your leave of absence has been withdrawn.

If your leave of absence request has been approved by RMIT

Go to the RMIT Connect Portal and login as an RMIT student using your student number and password
From the list on the left, select ‘enrolment’
If it hasn’t automatically been filled out for you, add your name and student number
In the ‘question’ field, select ‘change my enrolment’ from the dropdown menu
In the ‘description of enquiry’ field, write ‘reverse my leave of absence request’
If your classes still appear in Canvas, you can recommence your studies straight away. If your classes do not appear in Canvas, you will need to wait until RMIT withdraws your leave of absence request and re-enrols you in classes.

More information

If you're considering a leave of absence, we recommend that you speak to your program coordinator for advice.

Status & Details

Last updated
February 2020
By
RMIT International Compliance (IACRR)
In accordance with
Enrolment Process 2019
Enrolment Policy 2017

Know your census date

This is your major deadline for fees, loans, enrolment and leave of absence.

Check in Enrolment Online