How to
Change Course

If you’re disappointed with the course that you are enrolled in or it turned out to be a little too difficult for you, then you may be able to change it.

Due to recent changes in student VISA legislation changing course has been made more difficult. It depends on:

– Which course you are studying
– How long you have been studying the course
– The type of visa you currently hold.

You may choose to change the course you are studying to another course at the same school, or you may choose to change the school that you are studying at.

If there is anything you’re not sure about or feel free to contact the team at Pathway To Aus.

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What is your primary course?

Your primary course is the main course you are enrolled to study. In other words, Your Primary course is the highest AQF level course your student visa was granted.

If you are enrolled to study a package of courses, it is the highest level program you’re enrolled with that your student visa was granted for.

For example if you are studying
– Cert III and IV in Commercial Cookery and Diploma of Hospitality
– Your primary course is the Diploma of Hospitality

Another example would be
– Diploma of Business followed by Bachelor of Business
– Your primary course is the Bachelor of Business

How to leave your primary course?

In order to enrol in a new course, you must first be released from your current education provider. If your education provider does not give you permission to leave, you can not be issued with a new confirmation of enrollment.

If you are not satisfied with your education provider’s decision then you can appeal at an external complaint handling body, such as the State or Territory Ombudsman or the Overseas Student Ombudsman.

If you have studied for less than six months of your primary course and your course will not let you leave your current course, then you cannot study a new course.
I have completed at least 6 months
If you have completed six months of the primary course , you should be able to be released from the education provider you are currently studying and re-enroll in a new course. This is quite a simple process.
I have NOT completed 6 months

However, if you want to change provider before completing the first six months of your main course of study it is a little more difficult. You must contact your current education provider for permission and receive a release letter. 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.

Will you need to apply for a new student visa?

You can only change to a course in the same education level or higher to your current primary course. So you cannot change from studying a bachelor program to a vocational program. If you wanted to change course, you would need to get a letter of release and then you would need to apply for another visa.

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How to Change Course was last modified: April 19th, 2022 by Nick Yock