Visa FAQs

Information about what happens when you change your visa type.

Do I need to advise Deakin of any change of visa status?

Yes, you are required to advise us of any change of visa status. Ideally, this should be done within five working days of the date your visa status changes. You are required to provide a scanned copy of your new visa and passport to di-q-and-c@deakin.edu.au.

You can also can present your new visa document and passport to Student Central to forward on your behalf.

Am I considered a domestic student if I get temporary resident status?

No. Students who have temporary resident (TR) status are considered international students for fee purposes. However, if you get a TR visa, you will not be subject to the conditions of an international student visa.

Am I considered a domestic student if I get permanent resident status?

As a permanent resident (PR), you will be considered a domestic student. However, this does not mean that you will be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. For more information please refer to the Commonwealth supported student page.

I am currently on a TR visa and need to apply for a student visa, what do I need to do?

You will require a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to lodge a student visa application.

Complete the online Student CoE form.
Student Central will then complete a course map with the expected completion date.
International Admissions will check that you meet the eligibility requirements of an international student visa holder and if so, you will be issued with a new CoE so that you can apply for your student visa.

My student visa (subclass 500) expires before graduation, what do I do?

If you have already completed your course but are waiting for your graduation ceremony, the Department of Home Affairs states that you might be eligible for a visitor visa. You will need a letter from Deakin confirming the graduation date to submit as part of your visa application. This can be requested from Student Central.

Temporary transfer restriction period FAQs

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What has changed?

The amendment to Standard 7.1 introduces a temporary 12-month transfer restriction period for most overseas students seeking to transfer their enrolment to another education provider. This comes into effect from 2 October 2026 until 30 June 2027, after which the 12-month transfer restriction period will revert back to 6 months.

Apart from the school sector, a receiving provider must not knowingly enrol an overseas student seeking to transfer from another registered provider unless:

from 2 October 2026 to 30 June 2027 (inclusive): the student has completed at least 12 months of study in their principal course with the releasing provider.
from 1 July 2027 onwards: the student has completed at least six months of study in their principal course with the releasing provider.

School sector students remain subject to the existing six-month restriction relating to their first registered school sector course.

What is the principal course?

When does the transfer restriction period start?

What if a student who has not completed 12 months of study in their principal course has already accepted an offer at Deakin?

What if a student has not completed 12 months of study in their principal course but has been issued an offer at Deakin pending acceptance?

What are the exceptions to the transfer restriction?

A receiving provider may enrol a student before the relevant transfer period has been completed where one of the below circumstances applies:

the releasing provider, or the course in which the student is enrolled, has ceased to be registered
the releasing provider has had a sanction imposed on its registration that prevents the student from continuing their course
the releasing provider has agreed to the student's release, recorded the date of effect and reason for release in PRISMS, and complied with its documented transfer policy and process
a government sponsor considers the transfer to be in the student's best interests and has provided written support for the change.

Is a student's request to transfer automatically approved if their current provider gives them a letter of release?

What if the student's current provider or course has ceased to be registered?

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Case examples

Example A – where a student has already completed 12 months of study in their principal award course by 2 October 2026.

Student A is enrolled in a two-course package with an ELICOS course and a Bachelor degree course. Their ELICOS course commenced on 1 May 2025 and their Bachelor degree course on 20 June 2025. As the Bachelor degree is their principal course, the transfer restriction period starts from 20 June 2025. Before 2 October 2026, their transfer restriction period ended on 20 December 2025. On and after 2 October 2026, their transfer restriction period ended on 20 June 2026. Student A does not have a transfer restriction and is free to join Deakin.

Example B – where a student has completed 6-12 months of study in their principal award course by 2 October 2026.

Student B commenced a Bachelor degree course on 20 January 2026. Before 2 October 2026, their transfer restriction period ended on 20 July 2026 (6 months). However, on and after 2 October 2026, their transfer restriction period is extended to 20 January 2027. Student B cannot commence studies at Deakin until T1 2027 and onwards.

Example C – where a student has completed fewer than 6 months of study in their principal award course by 2 October 2026 and commenced after 1 July 2026.

Student C commenced a Master degree course on 5 July 2026. Before 2 October 2026, their transfer restriction period ends on 5 January 2027. On and after 2 October 2026, their transfer restriction period is extended to 5 July 2027. However, on and after 1 July 2027, their transfer restriction reverts to 5 January 2027.

Student C cannot commence studies at Deakin until T2 2027 and onwards, and their Deakin CoE cannot have a Proposed Start Date before 5 July 2027.

Example D – where a student commences their principal award course after 2 October 2026.

Student D will commence their Bachelor degree course on 22 February 2027. Their transfer restriction period will end on 22 February 2028. On and after 1 July 2027, their transfer restriction period is reduced to 22 August 2027. Student D can commence studies at Deakin in T3 2027 and onwards, but cannot accept their offer until 1 July 2027.

Contact

If you have any questions, or require clarification for individual students, please contact International Compliance at di-q-and-c@deakin.edu.au.

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