Student Visas: Changing Courses/Providers - Guidance From Migration Agent In Sydney

Changing Course:

If you want to change courses with the same educator provider and you are a Student visa holder (SC500), as long as the course is at the same level or higher than your existing course you may do so. You will need to apply for a new student visa, or you will be breaching your visa conditions, if you wish to transfer to a course at a lower level than what you are currently studying.Check whether the end date of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) has changed, if you have changed courses. If it has, you must apply for a new visa to avoid your visa being cancelled or having to leave Australia of completing your principal course within 28 days. 

If you are changing from an AQF level 10 course (doctoral degree) to an AQF 9 course (master’s degree), you will not need to apply for a new visa.
For example:

•    You would need to apply for and be granted a new student visa, if you wish to transfer to a Diploma of Accounting (Level 5) and you are studying a Bachelor of Science (Level 7) at the same institution.  

•    You will need to apply for and be granted a new student visa, if you want to transfer to an ELICOS course (non-AQF course) and you are studying a Certificate IV (AQF level 4).   

You would not need to apply for a new student visa, if you are studying a non-AQF course and want to transfer to an AQF course.
You will need to apply for a new student visa before your existing visa expires, if you change to a new course that is longer than what you were originally enrolled in. You will need to depart Australia within 28 days of course completion, if you change to a new course that is shorter than what you were originally enrolled in, or apply for a new student visa and enroll in a new course within that time frame. You can contact Migration Agency in Sydney for accurate information

Changing Providers:

If you are thinking about changing your education provider and you hold a student visa, ensure that all conditions you continue to meet that apply to your student visa. Everybody at some stage changes their mind and this occurs at university for many people, regarding specifically for choice of degree. There a few things to take into account for international students but for locals the process is reasonably straightforward.

The ESOS National Code outlines whether you will be able to change courses, if you’re have been studying your principal course for less than six months. You will most likely need permission which will require the evaluation of the provider’s transfer policy, from your current educational provider to transfer. Make sure prior to transferring to a new provider you understand what is expected of you. Learn more about changing course/provider from Migration Agency in Sydney.
You are free to change provider at any time if you have completed six months or more of your principal course (unless your provider prevents you from doing so if you have signed an agreement with them). You want to change your education provider even if you have not completed six months of your principal course, you will need to meet one of the following criteria:

•    The course in which you are enrolled or Your provider has ceased to be registered
•    You have a government sponsor that has provided written support for the change and considers the change to be in your best interests 
•    You have obtained from your existing provider a letter of release
•    By the ESOS agency your provider has had a sanction imposed on its registration that your provider prevents you from continuing the course

Your education provider must assess or consider your request to transfer, if you want to transfer. Make sure you understand your education provider’s transfer policy before you attempt to enroll with a new education provider and what your written agreement says you must do.

You should first use your education provider’s internal appeal process if you are not satisfied with the outcome and your education provider does not give you permission to transfer to another education provider. You can appeal the education provider’s decision at an external complaints handling body if you are still not satisfied you can contact Immigration Agent in Sydney for accurate information. 

What is a principal course?

By an overseas student the main course of study to be undertaken is refers to the principal course of study where for a multiple course of study student visa has been issued. The overseas student arrives in Australia with a student visa that covers multiple courses and where the principal course of study would normally be the final course of study.

How do I obtain a Letter of Release?

You will need to contact your provider and ensure that you have compelling and justifiable reasoning and explain why you no longer wish to continue studying at that institution.

Can I change to a lower level? I want to study an easier course

You will need to apply for a new student visa and Yes; you can change to a lower level course. If you do so unless you provide legitimate reasons for wanting to enroll in the new course there is a chance that your visa application will be refused (for example on GTE grounds). You can contact Migration Agent in Sydney for accurate information