Changing your course or provider

After you start studying in Australia, it’s possible that you might find a different course or study area that is better suited to your interests or career plans.

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

If you want to change your course or education provider, you must check your student visa requirements and follow the correct procedures.

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:

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

Changing your education provider

If you have completed less than 6 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 6 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 6 months or more of your main course

If you change your course or education provider after 6 months of study, tell your provider and they will let the Department of Home Affairs know.

• 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 Diploma, or Diploma to Bachelor degree), or you are changing from a doctoral to master degree.
• You will need to apply for a new student visa if you want to change your main course of study to a lower-level course (for example, from a Bachelor degree to a Diploma), or you are transferring 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.

You can also contact student support services on campus or other advisors for help and advice.