Academic Enrichment Services International Student Services

Leave of Absence

What is Leave of Absence?
How do I apply for Leave of Absence?
What will happen to my student visa?
What do I have to do when my leave starts?

 

Background

As an international student on a student visa, you can only be granted leave of absence from your course in compassionate or compassionate circumstances. The University is required to inform the Department of Immigration (DIAC) of the changes in your enrolment and if required, issue you with a new Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). Leave of absence can have several implications for your visa, depending on the reason for and duration of your leave.

What is Leave of Absence?

Each faculty has different requirements for approving Leave of Absence. If you are unable to continue your studies, you should contact your faculty to discuss Leave of Absence for your course. Usually you are required to depart Australia. Only in limited circumstances will your student visa remain valid to return to Australia.

How do I apply for Leave of Absence?

Each faculty has different requirements for approving leave of absence. If you are unable to continue your studies, you should contact your Faculty to discuss leave of absence for your course. When you decide to apply for leave of absence, you must complete and submit a Leave of Absence Application Form for International Students and attach medical certificates or details of exceptional compassionate circumstances, including how these were beyond your control. You also may need to complete additional faculty or school-specific administrative processes.

What will happen to my student visa?

Compassionate or compelling circumstances

If you are granted leave of absence on grounds of compassionate or compelling circumstances, your visa will remain valid and will allow you to return to Australia to resume your studies.
Compassionate or compelling circumstances may include:

Your application for leave of absence must be supported by appropriate document, such as medical certificates, a brief statement from your Course Adviser, police reports. Usually, leave of absence will alter the expected duration of your course. If this is the case, International Student Services will inform the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) of the changes in your enrolment and provide you with a new COE.

Other reasons

If you have applied for and been granted leave of absence for circumstance other than mentioned above, the University must inform the DIAC that you have ceased your studies. Your COE will be cancelled and your student visa is subject to cancellation. Before you return to Australia to resume your studies, you must obtain a COE and apply for a new student visa.

Leave of Absence for more than 6 months

DIAC usually allows for leave of absence on compassionate or compelling circumstances for a maximum of one semester or six months. A leave of absence for more than six months will result in the cancellation of your COE and student visa. Before you return to Australia to resume your studies, you must obtain a COE and apply for a new student visa.

What if I do not provide supporting documents with my application?

If you do not provide appropriate supporting documents, the University must inform DIAC that you have ceased your studies. Your COE will be cancelled and your student visa is subject to cancellation. Before you return to Australia to resume your studies, you must obtain a COE and apply for a new student visa.

What do I have to do when my leave starts?

If your application is approved, you must depart Australia within 14 days after the start of your leave and remain outside Australia until the end date of your leave.

You are only permitted to stay in Australia if your leave is less than 28 days in duration or if you are unable to travel for medical reasons evidenced my medical certificates. You will need to indicate your intention to stay in Australia on the Leave of Absence Application Form

top of pagetop of page
top of page