Frequently Asked Questions
Being an international student can be confusing at times, so please don't be afraid to ask a question if you have any concerns. The following list will help to answer some of the more common questions you may have.
Visas
- 1: How do I get a new COE?
- If you are a continuing student and you require a new COE to extend your student visa, you will need to have your course coordinator email your local International Student Adviser advising the following information: 1) Your name and Student ID number, 2) How many units of study you have left to study to complete your degree, 3) When you are expected to complete your degree. Once the International Student Adviser has received this email, the International Education Office can then begin to process your COE request. Please allow at least one week from the time the email from your Course Coordinator has been received.
- 2: How do I extend my student visa?
- To extend your student visa, you will first need to apply for a new COE from the International Education Office (See Question #1). Once you have your COE, you should take this to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and complete the 157A application form if you plan to lodge the application in person. For details on how to lodge the application in person, please go to the following URL on the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/573-4/apply-person.htm
- It is also possible to lodge an application online. For information on how to apply online, please go to the following URL on the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/573-4/apply-online.htm
- Please be aware that DIAC prefer students to begin the application process at least two months BEFORE their visa expires. Please ensure that you read all of the information on the website about extending your visa to prevent any delays in your visa processing. Information about fees and charges can be found at the following URL:
- http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/students-visa-charges.htm
- 3: Do I need to maintain satisfactory academic progress?
- Yes. You should refer to the University's Academic Regulations which are available in the University Handbook. In particular you should check regulation 6.2 which relates to unsatisfactory progress.
- Please be aware that if you are excluded from the University, it is a statutory requirement that we report the matter to DIAC. In such cases, you will be issued with a "Section 20" notice. This is a formal document that requires you to report to DIAC within 28 days of the Section 20 being issued. On receipt of a Section 20, DIAC will proceed to cancel your student visa.
- 4: I have failed a pre-requisite unit which is only offered once a year. How will this affect my visa?
- Students should be aware that under the new student visa regulations that came into effect on July 1, 2007, international students are now required to complete their degree within the minimum duration. This means that if you have been granted a COE for 3 years, you must finish within three years. If you fail a pre-requisite unit that is only offered once a year, you may need to extend your student visa. The International Office is only able to issue a COE to extend your student visa in limited circumstances. You will need to discuss with your Course Coordinator the possibility of completing the failed unit cross institutionally (at another university) or by some other method so that you can still complete your degree within the minimum period. If this is not possible, please see your local International Student Adviser to discuss the issue.
- 5: Must I study full time?
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Amendments to the National Code have meant changes to the full time rule. International students are now subject to the following guidelines in relation to study undertaken whilst on a student visa:
- Students must complete their studies in the minimum duration as provided on the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The only exceptions permitted are for compassionate and compelling circumstances, implementation of a documented intervention strategy, an approved deferment or suspension of study or the University cannot offer a prerequisite subject.
- Students must undertake at least one on-campus subject in each main teaching semester.
- Students must not undertake more than 25% of total course load online.
- 6: Where can I find a list of my visa conditions?
- Please refer to the following URL on the DIAC website for a list of your student visa conditions.
- http://www.immi.gov.au/students/visa-conditions-students.htm
- 7: I want to change my provider. Do I need a release letter?
- If you want to change education provider before completing the first six months of your principal course of study you must contact your current education provider for permission and a letter of release. You will require a letter of offer from the new provider in order to apply for a letter of release from your original education provider. In most circumstances the new education provider will be restricted from enrolling students who have not completed six months of the principal course of study, for which their visa was issued, unless they have a letter of release.Please refer to the University's Release Policy for further information
- 8: I have an urgent family problem and I need to go home. Can I take leave?
- In exceptional circumstances, you may be granted an "interruption of study". This will allow you to take leave from your studies for the semester to return home. An interruption of study is normally only granted on exceptional medical or compassionate grounds (such as the death of an immediate family member). Please be aware that the maximum time that an interruption of study can be granted without affecting your student visa is 6 months. If you require an interruption of study that exceeds this period of time, your student visa will be cancelled and you will need to apply for a new one to come back to Australia. Please see your International Student Adviser for more information if you need to return home urgently. DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE. This could result in serious consequences to your student visa.
- 9: Can I bring my spouse to Australia to be with me?
- As a student visa holder, you are eligible to apply for your spouse and/or children to accompany you to Australia. You will be required to satisfy the conditions attached to bringing a family member out. These conditions include being able to satisfy DIAC that you have sufficient funds to support your spouse and/or children. Education tuition fees must be paid for school age dependents who study in Australia. In order to be eligible to apply to bring your spouse and/or children, your course duration must be at least 12 months. Please see your International Student Adviser to ask for a dependent nomination letter. Further information can be found at the following URL on the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/students/bringing_family/index.htm
- 10: How can I update my address details?
- Please be aware that condition 8533 of your student visa requires that you notify your education provider of your residential address in Australia within 7 days of arriving in Australia. You must also notify your education provider of any change in your residential address within 7 days of the change. Please note that failure to do so can result in your student visa being cancelled.
- To change your address, please log into Student Connect and update your details. You will be required to update BOTH your mailing address and your semester residence address. In most cases, these will be the same. The International Education Office on your campus will run regular reports to ensure that a valid address is listed for you in the system.
Academic issues
- 1: What is the last day to drop a unit without financial or academic penalty?
- The last date for you to drop a unit without both financial and academic penalty is known as the "Census Date". The census dates for the main semesters (Semester 1 and Semester 2) are March 31 and August 31 respectively. For a list of important dates (including census dates for other sessions), please refer to the following URL on the ACU website: http://my.acu.edu.au/student/community/calendars/important_dates_2008
- 2: What is the last date that I can add a unit without penalty?
- Please refer to the list of important dates on the ACU website:
- http://my.acu.edu.au/student/community/calendars/important_dates_2008
- 3: Can I study more than 4 units in a semester?
- It may be possible for you to study more than 4 units in a semester; however, you MUST get approval for this from your course coordinator BEFORE you enrol. (Please note that this does not apply to students who are required to do 5 units per semester, for example, the Bachelor of Nursing students).
Fees
- 1: How can I apply for fee instalments?
- Continuing students who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for an instalment plan. Once you receive your invoice for the semester, please see your local International Student Adviser and advise them that you wish to apply for an instalment plan. You will be given an IFI Form (Request for Instalment Plan) which must be filled out and returned to your International Student Adviser by the stated date. You will also be required to provide an explanation, and supporting documentary evidence, as to the type of financial hardship you are experiencing. The instalment plan will be considered on its individual merit and you will be advised in writing of the outcome.
- If you are granted an instalment plan, you will be able to pay your fees in 3 instalments made over 3 consecutive months. The first instalment will require you to pay 50% of the total fees due. The 2nd and 3rd instalments will require that you pay 25% of the remaining total fees each time.
- 2: How do I apply for a refund of fees?
- Please contact your International Student Adviser to apply for a refund of fees.
Accommodation
- 1: Who can help me with accommodation?
- Your International Student Adviser is able to help you. Please be aware that while your adviser is able to assist you in your search for accommodation, they are unable finalise any arrangements for you. There are websites aimed at assisting people to find suitable rental accommodation. Two of the better known ones are: www.domain.com.au and www.realestate.com.au.
- 2: Where do I find real estate agents close to my campus?
- The best place to source local real estate agents is local newspapers.
- 3: Can I use my bond to pay my last month's rent?
- Under normal circumstances the answer "no"! Please refer to the Rental Tenancy Authority in your state for further information:
- Queensland: www.rta.qld.gov.au
- New South Wales: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
- Victoria: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
- 4: What information and documentation should my landlord or agent give me when I agree to rent a place?
- At the beginning of your tenancy your landlord may be required by law to give you items such as a copy of the residency agreement, a recept for the money you have paid and copies of the condition report. Please refer to the Rental Tenancy Authority in your state for further information:
- Queensland: www.rta.qld.gov.au
- New South Wales: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
- Victoria: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
- 5: I live in a rented property, and the landlord is not carrying out maintenance. What can I do?
- It is the landlords' responsibility to ensure that their rental property is in a reasonably clean condition at the start of the tenancy and that they must maintain the premises in good repair during the course of the tenancy. Please refer to the Rental Tenancy Authority in your state for further information:
- Queensland: www.rta.qld.gov.au
- New South Wales: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
- Victoria: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
- 6: Do I have to give the landlord notice when I plan to move out of my rental property?
- You must give the landlord notice in advance of your plans to move out of the rental property. Please refer to the Rental Tenancy Authority in your state for further information:
- Queensland: www.rta.qld.gov.au
- New South Wales: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/
- Victoria: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
