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International Student Visa Related Information

Your Student Visa

International students must hold a valid visa in order to study in Australia. Many students for this reason apply for a Student Visa. Please find more information regarding student visas on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website.

Visa Conditions
Attached to all student visas are Student Visa Conditions. It is obligatory for student visa holders to comply with these conditions. Make sure you are aware what the conditions are of the visa you are holding.

Some of the student visa holder conditions are:

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progression
Student visa holders must remain enrolled in a CRICOS registered course and must ensure they are meeting course requirements in accordance with course progression rules. Read more information on the University’s policy to assist students who are not progressing satisfactorily.

There may be implications for your student visa if you continue to not meet the academic requirements of your course. Therefore it is important to contact your Faculty Advisers or the International Student Advisers immediately if you are experiencing difficulties during your studies so that you can make use of the support that is available to you.

Completion within expected duration
Students are required to complete their studies within the time-frame specified on the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) used to apply for their student visa. In limited circumstances students may extend the expected duration of their course. If you are worried that you are not able to complete your course in time, please contact your Faculty Advisers or the International Student Advisers. Please also refer to Change in Your Enrolment.

Working whilst studying

From 26 March 2012, student visa holders can work 40 hours per fortnight once their course has commenced and during any period in which their course is in session. They are able to work unrestricted hours during any scheduled course break. A fortnight means a period of 14 days commencing on any Monday and ending on the second following Sunday.

In addition, from 26 March 2012, Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student visa holders would no longer be limited in the number of hours that they can work once their course has commenced. Important: Unlimited work rights only apply once the student has commenced their HDR course. A student studying a preliminary course (such as ELICOS) on a subclass 574 (Postgraduate Research Sector) visa would be limited to 40 hours per fortnight of work while the student is undertaking the preliminary course.

Students who were granted a student visa before the 26 April 2008 will need to apply separately for permission to work. Please contact the International Student Advisers for information on how to apply.

The permission to work application process differs for AusAID (APS, ADS, and ALA) students. Students should contact an AusAID Officer to obtain the documentation required to lodge an application.

Change of Address
Students are required to notify the University of their residential address in Australia within 7 days of arriving in Australia. Students must also notify the University of any change in their residential address within 7 days of the change.

Check Your Visa Entitlements
You can check your visa conditions, study entitlements and work entitlements online using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). View information on how to use the VEVO website.

Sponsored students
Sponsored students have an additional responsibility to ensure that their enrolment is in accordance with the conditions of their sponsorship. This is particularly important where an extension of duration may be required. In most cases, sponsors expect students to complete their studies within the expected duration and extensions of duration are very difficult to obtain. Sponsored students should contact their sponsor or an International Student Adviser if they are unsure about their enrolment. AusAID and ADB sponsored students should contact their respective specialist advisers.

Changing Visa Status
It is important to notify the University of Sydney of any change in your current visa status.

Temporary Visa
If you have been granted a temporary visa other than a student visa, you will still remain an international student; however your study entitlements may change. Please inform the International Student Office of the change and bring along your passport and visa documentation after your visa is granted.

Permanent Residency
If you are a currently enrolled international student who has recently been granted Australian permanent residency, you can change your status from international to a domestic student.
To change your status you will need to:
1. Take your passport to the International Student Office, Level 4, Jane Foss Russell Building, Darlington Campus, where a copy will be taken and you will complete an International Students – Change of Visa to Permanent Residency form; and
2. Take the documentation provided to the Student Centre, Level 3, Jane Foss Russell Building, Darlington Campus, where your status will be changed to a domestic student.

A status change from an international to a domestic student can only be effective for a unit of study only when documentation is presented prior to the census date for that unit of study. If documentation of permanent residency is presented after the census date for a unit of study, even if residency has been granted prior to the census date, international tuition fee rates will be charged for that unit of study. Domestic fee rates will only apply for subsequent semesters/sessions and units of study.

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Student Visa Application

Extending Your Student Visa
If your student visa will expire before you are able to complete your degree, you will need to apply for an extension of your student visa. You must lodge your application before your current student visa expires.

To apply for a further student visa you will need to request a new electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) from the University. To request a new eCoE please complete the eCoE Request Form and return this to the International Student Office.

International Student Office
Level 4, Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006, AUSTRALIA
io.studentadvisers@sydney.edu.au

Please note that your new eCoE will be sent to your university email address. Once you have received your new eCoE, it is your responsibility to apply for the new visa.

For more information on how to apply for a further student visa, please refer to the following DIAC webpage: www.immi.gov.au/students/students/extending_your_stay

Student Visa for Thesis Marking Purposes (Research students)
If you are a research student and have submitted your thesis, but still hold a valid student visa you can stay in Australia while your thesis is “under examination”. You will not be considered having finished your studies and your eCoE will not be cancelled until the faculty advises the International Student Office that you have completed course requirements.

If your student visa is going to expire and you need to remain in Australia to respond to comments/make changes to your thesis, you can apply for a student visa for thesis marking purposes. This should only be used by students who must be present in Australia to respond to marker’s comments. To apply for this visa, you must be on a 574 student visa.

The process is nearly the same as a standard student visa application; however instead of an eCoE you need to provide a letter from your faculty/department indicating that you are required to remain in Australia for thesis marking, with an expected timeframe.

A visa may be granted for a maximum continuous period of six months. As you will not have an eCoE number, you will not be able to lodge an online application. For information on how to apply for this visa and documentation required, please refer to the followin DIAC website: www.immi.gov.au/students/checklists

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Student visa holders must hold a health insurance policy (Overseas Student Health Cover) for the duration of their stay in Australia. If you are extending your student visa, you will need to extend your cover for the full duration of your stay.

Please contact your OSHC provider for advice regarding your health cover. If you hold your OSHC with OSHC Worldcare, assistance is available from OSHC Worldcare website, and an OSHC Worldcare representative is available in the Customer Service area of the International Student Office. When logging onto the website, enter your SID as your policy number.

Staying for Your Graduation
If you wish to stay in Australia in order to attend your graduation, you will need to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) regarding alternative visas for you to remain in the country. Many students apply for a tourist visa for this purpose. You can find more information at this page on the DIAC’s Website: www.immi.gov.au/students/students/extending_your_stay.

If you have completed your course, you will no longer be enrolled, which means you will not be eligible to obtain a new eCoE, or apply for a further student visa.

It is recommended that you request a Completion Letter to provide to DIAC with your application for a tourist visa. If you require a Completion Letter, please contact the Student Centre. If you are a student in the Business School, you should instead contact the Student Information Office.

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Change In Your Enrolment

Reducing Load
Under ESOS legislation student visa holders are required to complete their course within the duration specified in their electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Therefore students are required to stay enrolled in a full-time study load (24 Credit Points). However there are exceptional circumstances where a student visa holder may apply to reduce his or her study load.

Some examples of exceptional circumstances are:

  • Compassionate or compelling reasons, which may include:
    - serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes.
    - bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents.
    - major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel when this has impacted on the student's studies.
    - a traumatic experience
  • Due to the structure of the program, the faculty is unable to offer a pre-requisite unit
  • The Faculty has implemented an intervention strategy where an academic adviser believes that the reduction of study load will ensure successful completion of remaining units.
  • You have been granted credit(s) from previous studies and will complete your studies on time
  • You have completed a Summer/Winter School unit of study to ensure on time completion

You must apply for reducing your load with your faculty and you will be required to provide supporting documentation for your application, such as medical certificates, evidence of academic counselling, itinerary etc.

Reducing your enrolment load may affect your expected course duration and may result in you requiring a new electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) for visa extension purposes. The International Student Advisers are able to provide further advice on how a reduced load may impact your eCOE and consequently your student visa as well as general advice regarding your welfare. See "How to schedule a meeting with us" if you wish to meet with an International Student Adviser.

Online / Distance Learning
Student visa holders may undertake no more than 25% of their total course by distance and/or online learning and must not enrol in exclusively distance or online study in any compulsory study period.

If you are a recipient of the US Federal Direct Loan you must not enrol in any units of study offered by online or distance delivery if you wish to remain eligible for federal student aid. An educational program is not an eligible program for purposes of US Federal student aid if it is provided by correspondence or distance education in whole or in part. For more information please go to International Loans & US VA Benefits or contact the University’s Financial Aid Office .

Leave of Absence / Suspension
If you are unable temporarily to continue with your studies for personal or medical reasons you may be eligible to apply for leave of absence or suspension of studies. Please contact your respective faculty advisers for approval. If you are requesting a Leave of Absence or Suspension for medical, compelling or compassionate reasons, you must provide supporting documentation to the faculty.

If you suspend your studies your eCoE will be cancelled. You may be required to leave Australia and your student visa may be cancelled. Following faculty approval of the suspension you must contact DIAC as soon as possible and within 28 days to ascertain your visa status. Please contact the to find out how a Leave of Absence or Suspension will impact your student visa.

You may be required to reapply for your visa when you are ready to resume study. Students who are resuming studies following an approved Leave of Absence or Suspension are advised to fill in the online recommencement form at least two months before commencing in order to obtain a new eCoE.

Discontinuation / Withdrawal from the degree
Students must apply to their Faculty for a Total Discontinuation of Study (Withdrawal).

Transferring to Another Institution within the First 6 Months.

In accordance with Australian government regulations, international students wishing to transfer to another education provider within the first six months of their course must obtain a “release letter” from The University of Sydney.

In order to be provided with a release letter you must first advise your faculty that you wish to withdraw from your course. Then complete the application for a release letter that can be obtained through the International Student Office and attach the following documents:
- offer letter from another provider
- statement outlining the reason/s why you are seeking release or other documentation explaining reason/s for release request
- if under the age 18, a copy of written approval from a parent or legal guardian supporting the transfer is also required.

You must notify the University of the change of education provider within 7 days of receiving the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment or evidence of enrolment.

Early Completion
In some situations students may be able to complete their course early. For example students may be granted credit towards their degree from previous studies. Students who complete their course more than three months before the end date of their eCoE are identified as early completion and the University is required to report students to DIAC and cancel their eCoE.

Complaints and Appeals

The University has a policy and procedure in place if you have a grievance or wish to appeal a decision which affects you. For further information on appealing an academic decision, refer to the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006.

If you are excluded from the University, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the NSW Ombudsman if there is evidence of misconduct of an internal appeals process. Read more about appealing through the NSW Ombudsman.

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Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000

The ESOS Act sets out the legal framework governing delivery of education to overseas students studying in Australia on a student visa. For more information visit the ESOS Act webpage.

The National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 is established under the ESOS Act 2000. For more information visit the ESOS National Code webpage.

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