After you start studying in Australia, you might find a different course or study area better suited to your interests or career plans.

A condition of your student visa is that you must stay enrolled in a course at the same or higher level as the course your visa was granted.

You must check your student visa requirements and follow the correct procedures to change your course or education provider.

Your visa may have conditions that require you to get permission before changing your study plan. To check your visa status and conditions, use VEVO.

Changing your course at the same education provider

If you are changing your course but staying with the same education or training provider:

  • If your new course is at the same or higher level of qualification, or you are changing from a doctoral to a master's degree, you can make arrangements with your provider and do not need to apply for a new student visa. However, if your current visa is expiring and you need more time to complete your new course, you will need to apply for a new student visa.
  • You must apply for another student visa if your new course is a lower-level qualification (for example, from a bachelor's degree to a Diploma) or you are transferring to an ELICOS course.

It is essential to check the Department of Home Affairs website as conditions can vary depending on your visa subclass and circumstances.

Changing your education provider

If you have completed less than six months of your main course

You can only change education providers in some circumstances. For example, the provider will consider your transfer in situations such as:

  • serious illness
  • a loss of a family member (where possible, a death certificate should be provided)
  • a major disaster in your home country requiring emergency travel
  • a traumatic experience.

You will need to contact your current education provider before you try to enrol at another provider. Your current provider will consider your request and decide if they will let you transfer.

If your provider does let you transfer before you have completed six months of study, they will tell the Department of Home Affairs. You do not need to send a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or update your ImmiAccount.

If you have completed six months or more of your main course

If you change your course or education provider after six months of study, tell your provider, and they will inform the Department of Home Affairs.

  • You do not need to send a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or update your ImmiAccount.
  • You do not need to apply for a new student visa if your new course is the same or higher level (for example, from a Diploma to a Diploma or a Diploma to a bachelor's degree) or if you are changing from a doctoral to a master's degree.
  • You must apply for a new student visa to change your primary course of study to a lower-level course (for example, from a bachelor's degree to a Diploma) or transfer to an ELICOS course.

It is important to check the Department of Home Affairs website as conditions can vary depending on your visa subclass and circumstances.

More information and support 

  • Visit the Change in Your Situation page on the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
  • Contact the on-campus student support services or other advisors for help and advice.

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