{"id":1017778,"date":"2023-02-03T11:10:35","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T01:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soledu.net\/au\/?page_id=1017778"},"modified":"2023-02-03T14:06:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T04:06:26","slug":"step-7","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.soledu.net\/au\/before-after-arriving-in-australia\/step-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Step 7: Change your study plan"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You may face unexpected circumstances that change your study plans when studying in Australia. Whether it may be discovering a new area of interest, reassessing personal, academic or career goals, or not thriving in an initial area of interest, your study plans can be altered to align with your future aspirations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, before you decide to make any significant changes to your studying plan, it is important to consider your circumstances and explore all your options. There are potential opportunities when seeking alternative solutions that best accommodate your personal, work, or academic circumstances change. Notably, any changes to your academic may influence the visa requirements and conditions, especially international students under the subclass 500 visa.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Started a course and feel like it is not for you?<\/h2>
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You may want to change, end, or start your course because you did not do enough research to begin with and have realised that the course you have chosen is not what you expected. When looking for an entirely new study pathway, it is important to understand your new course requirements and information to help your decisions. Additionally, there are academic advice on your course pathways that will help you understand what this change will mean for you.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Discontinuing a program\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

When you are planning to withdraw from your current studies, you will have to discontinue your course. This action will end your current enrolment and remove you from any enrolled units in that institution. If you cancel your program enrolment after the census date, you will not be refunded your fees, unless under special circumstances for missing the cancellation deadline. Rather, you can face financial and academic penalties that you should be aware of after the census date. Additionally, you are required to notify the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) within 31 days of you discontinuing your studies. This will affect your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) and ability to stay in Australia \u2013 further assistance can be provided with DHA within 28 days to arrange an alternative visa or return to your home country.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing Courses\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

1. Changing to same or higher-level AQF<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you have been studying at your original course for more than six months and wish to change to a same or higher-level Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) course at your current institution, you do NOT have to apply for a new study visa.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: The only time you will need to apply for a new student visa is when your current visa is due to expire. The same rules apply if you have been studying your original course for less than 6 months.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Changing to a lower-level or non-AQF course<\/strong><\/p>\n

The circumstances will be different if you plan to change to a lower-level or non-AQF course. The change can affect your subclass 500 visa requirements and visa status. In the course of action, you will need to apply for a new student visa that best accommodates your new course.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing Universities or Colleges<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

1. If you plan to change universities or colleges<\/b><\/p>\n

If the university or college you are planning to change to within the same state or interstate, that is not a problem. It will be the same procedure as if you were changing institutions. You can move interstate for university or college in Australia to experience the different lifestyle, culture, and people that best suits your personal and academic aspirations. <\/span>Hence, you can change to the same degree you\u2019ve been studying or a new degree that best suits your interests. <\/span>Please contact us to assist your new course or institution.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Changing your studying program <\/b><\/p>\n

If you are considering changing your studying program to another program, for example, a bachelor\u2019s degree to a Diploma. Contact the Department of Home Affairs for additional information on how it may affect your visa status (<\/span>https:\/\/www.homeaffairs.gov.au\/help-and-support\/contact-us<\/span><\/a>). You can also seek the institution for additional help.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. What is the process for changing universities? <\/b><\/p>\n

If you are planning to accept another offer from another university in the first 6 months of discontinuing your enrolment during your current enrolment, you are required to get a <\/span>letter<\/span> release<\/span>. Additionally, specific universities need prerequisites for the course you are planning to study and is outlined accordingly to the course requirements.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n