Taking a Break from Study

 What Are My Options?

• Less than 12 Months - Leave of Absence
• More than 12 Months: you will need to leave the University and reapply for admission when you wish to return.

Less than 12 Months - Leave of Absence

International students, who have completed their first session of study in their current course, can apply to take leave for up to 12 months by submitting an application for a Leave of Absence. A leave of absence is where the University temporarily 'pauses' your study for an approved period of time.

• Circumstances for Leave of Absence
• Reasons your student visa may not remain valid
• How do I apply for Leave of Absence?

Circumstances for Leave of Absence

You can take a leave of absence by demonstrating compassionate or compelling circumstances. Compassionate or Compelling circumstances are defined as circumstances that are beyond the control of a student and which have an impact upon the student’s course progress or wellbeing. These could include (but are not limited to):

• 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 (where a death certificate should be provided)
• major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel and this has impacted on the student’s studies, or
• a traumatic experience, which has impacted the student (these cases should be supported by police or psychologists’ reports), which could include an involvement in, or witnessing of an accident, or witnessing or being the victim of crime
• where the registered provider was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit
• inability to begin studying on the course commencement date due to delay in receiving a student visa

When you are on a leave of absence the University notifies DIAC that you need a Leave of Absence and the circumstances surrounding your leave. In certain circumstances your student visa will remain valid. However, as in all cases, you should contact DIAC for any questions relating to your individual student visa.

Please note:  The above are only some examples of what may be considered compassionate or compelling circumstances. Each application for a leave of absence will be assessed individually based on the information provided and documentary evidence.

Please note: To be eligible to claim these acceptable circumstances you will need to provide original documentation of the circumstances with your application for a Leave of Absence.

Reasons in which your student visa may not remain valid

DIAC has advised that the following reasons may not be acceptable grounds for your student visa to remain valid:

• Pregnancy, child birth, or child care commitments
• Work commitments
• Holiday

If you are unable to substantiate compassionate or compelling circumstances for leave or require a longer period of leave than one session, you will need to cease your studies and depart Australia . You will need to submit a Course Withdrawal - International form. When you are able to return to Australia and resume you studies, you will need to apply for a new letter of offer and electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCoE) and apply for a new student visa before returning to your studies.

Also, students who are in the first session of study in their principal course at the University cannot take a Leave of Absence. They must defer their entry or reapply for when they hope to return to the University of Wollongong.

How do I apply for a Leave of Absence?

To apply for a leave of absence you will need to fill in an 'Application for Leave of Absence - International' form. You can get a copy of the  "Application for Leave of Absence - International" form from the Forms website or from Student Central.

Supporting Documentation

In order for a Leave of Absence application to be processed, students must submit all relevant original documentation. Here are some the guidelines that you should follow:

• All documentation must be original. If you cannot submit original documentation, a certified copy may be handed in.
• All documentation must be in English or if that is not possible, a certified and signed translated copy can be submitted.
• All supporting documentation must indicate the exact dates of the event or circumstance and how this will affect the application.
• Examples of relevant original documentation include (but are not limited to) medical certificates, death notice/certificate, police reports, et cetera.
• You must provide the University dates with your departure dates and when you plan to come back. To support this, you will have to provide ‘evidence of your departure’ by submitting copies of your ticket, itinerary, copy of your passport page with the Australian Immigration stamp, et cetera.

All documentation should be submitted to Student Central to accompany the form either by hand or by post.

Once a student has submitted the form, it will take approximately 2-3 weeks (provided the application is complete), before they will receive a postal confirmation that their enrolment has been temporarily discontinued.

More than 12 Months

If you wish to take more than a 12 month break from your study, you will need to cease your study and return to your home country. When you wish to come back to the University of Wollongong you will need to reapply for admission through UniAdvice.

In these circumstances you will not be able to remain in Australia on your current student visa. If you wish to remain in Australia without studying you will need to contact DIAC (formally DIMA).

To let us know that you are leaving the University you will need to fill in a 'Course Withdrawal - International' form. You can apply via SOLS Mail.

You must submit a completed copy of the 'Course Withdrawal - International' form along with the a statement as to why you are leaving the University and returning home, as well as the details of your departure from Australia.

Once a student  has submitted the form, it will take approximately 2- 3 weeks (provided the application is complete) before they will receive a postal confirmation that their enrolment has been discontinued.

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Last reviewed: 1 August, 2007