Reduced study load

Reduced study load

According to visa condition 8202, student visa holders must remain enrolled in a registered course and maintain satisfactory course progress in each study period to ensure they complete their course within the duration of their student visa.

Full time load requirement for student visa holders at Deakin:

It is important for student visa holders to maintain a full-time study load to ensure satisfactory course progress, to complete their course within the duration of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and approved student visa duration. At Deakin University, a full-time study load is defined as 8 credit points per academic year. International student visa holders are required to enrol in units worth 8 credit points during the compulsory Trimesters 1 and 2. Alternatively, they may also enrol in the non-compulsory Trimester 3 to meet this requirement.

In special circumstances, international students can apply for a reduced study load.

How do I apply for a reduced study load?

Contact Student Central to discuss a reduced study load application. Your application will need to be based on compassionate and compelling grounds, which could include, but are not limited to:

• serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that it is impracticable for you to complete the unit or course requirements
• bereavement of a close family member such as a parent or grandparent (where possible a death certificate should be provided)
• major political upheaval or natural disaster in your home country requiring emergency travel, which impacted your studies
• a traumatic experience, which could include involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident; or witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, where this has impacted on you. (These cases should be supported by police or psychologist reports.)

You must also provide evidence of how your circumstances have affected, or will affect, your academic performance if you undertake a full-time study load. In order to assess these circumstances, please complete the Reduced Study Load form [PDF,295KB] and return it to Student Central. This form must be submitted as a digital and editable PDF.

• Sections A and B are for applications based on medical and/or psychological grounds (section B is to be completed by a medical or health professional).
• Sections A and C are for applications based on non-medical grounds (additional supporting documentation/evidence of situation and impact will also need to be submitted).

If your issue is ongoing, we encourage you to contact our Disability Resource Centre for more specific arrangements and support.

A reduced study load application does not guarantee approval. You must maintain your enrolment and continue participating with your studies, where possible, until an outcome is provided.

Why is a reduce study load application important?

Students must submit genuine and valid supporting documents to the Department of Home Affairs to have their reduced study load period recognised for the purpose of obtaining a visa extension to complete their course in Australia. If appropriate documentation is not provided, the visa extension may be refused. In such cases, the student may be required to return to their home country and complete the remainder of their course online, if available.

What happens if an international student does not maintain full time enrolment?

If a student intentionally under-enrols without obtaining formal approval to reduce their study load, they may not be eligible for a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) extension at Deakin. As a result, the student may need to complete the remainder of their course online from their home country, if available.