Defer your offer

If you have received or accepted an offer you may be eligible to defer your studies.

Whether you need more time, waiting for results, or simply weren’t ready — we understand, and we’re here to help when the time is right for you. 

What is a deferral?

  • A delay to the commencement of your studies until the next available intake
  • Deferrals are subject to review by our Admissions Team
  • Once your deferral is approved, accept your new offer so your place in the course is reserved
  • If you’ve already requested deferral before, you may need to submit a new application.

There’s no cost to defer your offer.

Before you request to defer

Can I request a deferral?

You may be able to defer if you have:

  • received a course offer
  • accepted your offer and have a CoE
  • enrolled and cannot arrive to start the next intake.

Applied via an agent?

If you have applied through an authorised RMIT Agent, you can contact them to assist with your deferral request.

How to defer

You can apply to defer your course to the next intake until the last day to enrol. After this date your offer will be withdrawn, and you’ll need to submit a new application to join a future intake.

Find enrolment dates for your course

I have received an offer

To defer your offer for a vocational, undergraduate or postgraduate course to the next intake, log in to the Application Portal and submit a request to defer.

I have accepted my offer or enrolled in my course


You will need to submit a new application to RMIT if you have:

  • accepted your offer and have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  • missed the enrolment deadline for your course (your CoE will be cancelled, see Important Visa information)
  • enrolled and cannot arrive in Melbourne to commence your studies
  • missed the deadline to defer your offer.

Submit a new application

To submit a new application:

  • Log in to the Application Portal using your registered email address.
    If you forget your password, select 'I have forgotten my password'. You'll be emailed a temporary password so you can log in and reset your password.
  • Start your application for the new intake or course
    Your previous personal information will be prepopulated, and you can edit information as required. 
  • The system will then generate a new Application ID, however, there will be no change to your original Applicant ID.

If you are commencing an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or Foundation Studies course and want to defer, contact RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP). 

You can request to defer up to one week after the course commencement date on your offer letter.

You must request to defer by writing to the School of Graduate Research before the enrolment date specified in your offer letter.

Help to defer

If you have any questions about how to defer, call +61399252000 or chat to our Study@RMIT team.

Important visa information

If you have accepted your offer and hold a student visa and want to defer, you must submit evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances that prevent you from enrolling in your course on time.

If you are unable to provide evidence that your deferral is based on compassionate or compelling circumstances before the last date to enrol, RMIT University is required to report you for ‘non-commencement’ to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This will result in your CoE being cancelled which may affect your student visa. 

Already in Australia?

Students are not permitted to remain in Australia on a student visa if they are not enrolled.

If you hold a valid student visa and defer your intake, you will be required to enrol in another course or to depart Australia and return prior to the commencement date for your next approved intake.

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Can’t defer? Apply for a refund.

You can apply for a refund if you are a commencing international student and hold a student visa or has been issued a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to apply for a student visa.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information