Depending on your circumstances, you may apply for permission to leave Australia during your studies, but it’s important to understand what conditions apply. There are two types of leave:
Short-term leave of absence (up to 10 working days)
You can apply for a short-term leave of absence if you need to attend a wedding overseas, return home to visit a sick relative or have a minor medical procedure during a compulsory study period. You will need to apply for a short-term leave of absence if you intend:
- to take up to ten days during a compulsory study period
- to return to Australia within 10 days from the start of the trimester.
Please speak with a student adviser about applying for a short-term leave of absence.
An intermission
An intermission is an approved break from study for a whole trimester, or in special circumstances, up to 12 months. As an international student, you must contact Student Central to discuss your application for an intermission. You should be aware that an intermission can only be approved on compassionate and/or compelling grounds.
View more information on the intermission webpage
HDR students who apply for intermission during their study period are not bound by trimester periods to determine the length of their break in their studies. It is important to note that the maximum intermission period allowed is 12 months.
For HDR student looking to intermit please refer to information on changes to candidature.