Your student visa conditions
Your visa will come with certain conditions.
Some of these conditions are:
- completing your course in the timeframe listed on your confirmation of enrolment (CoE)
- having overseas student health cover (OSHC) for the whole time you're in Australia
- not transferring to a different university within the first six months of your time here
- not exceeding allowable work hours
- maintain enrolment (maintain a valid CoE)
- notify each change of home address to your education provider
- maintaining school arrangements for school-aged children if you bring your children with you to Australia.
There may be other conditions, depending on what type of visa you have. You'll need to check your conditions and make sure you meet them at all times so that your visa stays valid while you're in Australia.
Find out more about visa conditions on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Taking courses online
You can take up to one third (or equivalent) of your course units online if you're an international student.
This is calculated from your total course points, after any recognition of prior learning points are deducted.
For more information, please visit the online study page here.
Taking a break from studying
If you need to take a break from studying, you can apply for an intermission or a short term leave of absence.
Intermission
An intermission is an approved break from study, generally lasting for the remainder of your trimester or the whole of your next trimester (for up to two consecutive trimesters).
You can apply for intermission if you are experiencing illness, a death in the family, or another serious circumstance that's beyond your control.
If your intermission is approved, you'll be able to stay in Australia for up to 28 days after the intermission period starts.
If you don't leave Australia within these 28 days, you may have your visa cancelled.
Short-term leave of absence
A short-term leave of absence is a break of up to 10 working days during trimester.
You can apply for a short-term leave of absence if you need to:
- return home for short-term medical treatment
- attend a wedding or a funeral
- deal with a family problem that requires your presence
- tend to the illness or death of a family member.
Taking leave could affect the status of your visa or confirmation of enrolment – you can always talk to our International Student Advisers for advice about taking a break from your studies.
Working on a student visa
You can work part time during trimesters 1 and 2 – up to 40 hours a fortnight. If you're not enrolled in any units during Trimester 3, you'll be able to work as much as you want to (unless Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester for your course).
Changing your enrolment
You might be able to change your course of study – it depends on the type of course you applied for and the type of visa you've been granted.
Changing your course of study could change the status of your visa. It's a good idea to talk to our International Student Advisers if you're considering changing your enrolment.
Read more about changing courses on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Your family and your student visa
You may be able to bring your family with you when you come to Australia on a student visa.
The people who are eligible to come with you are:
- your children
- your partner
- your parent or guardian.
There's a lot to consider if you and your family move to Australia – like finding a school for your children. There may also be certain conditions that your family will have to meet while they're here.
Find out more about bringing your family to Australia on the Department of Home Affairs website.