Visa Information

It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand your visa conditions and that you comply with them.  You should familiarise yourself with the specific conditions on your visa.  Please be aware that sometimes there are conditions on your visa that are not printed on your visa label.  For information regarding your visa, contact DIAC on 131 881. 

The University is required by law to report students who breach their visa conditions.  This can lead to your student visa being cancelled.  The University will monitor your enrolment and notify DIAC of any breaches.  The following is a list of visa conditions that will be monitored by the University.  It is not a comprehensive list of all student visa conditions and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice.

• Complete your course within the timeframe set by your CoE.
• Make satisfactory course progress (achieve satisfactory results).
• Remain with your Original Education Provider for the first 6 months of study
• Maintain current Overseas Student Health Cover
• Notify the University of any change of address
• Pay tuition fees on time

 Complete your course within the timeframe set by your CoE

International students are required to complete their course within the timeframe set on their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This means that most international students must be enrolled in 24 credit points per session.  Your enrolment will be monitored.  If you are exceeding the time frame of your CoE you will receive a SOLS message advising you to amend your enrolment in order to complete within the time frame of your CoE.  If you continue to under enrol without approval the University may cancel your enrolment under section 9 of the National Code.  This cancellation would be reported to DIAC.

The international student page Your CoE provides more information about completing within the time frame of your CoE. 

If your CoE is going to expire before you complete your course, apply for a new CoE via SOLS.  A new CoE will not automatically be issued to you, you may need to explain why you have not been able to complete your course within the time frame of your original CoE.

 Make satisfactory course progress

All students must make satisfactory course progress in accordance with the University Course Rules (8.55-8.72) and the Course Progress Policy.

Students who fail to meet course progress are advised by SOLSMail. This is a warning and students are always given the chance to appeal any decision regarding their re-enrolment. Students who are excluded for poor academic progress will be reported to DIAC.

If you are having difficulties with your course, you should seek advice from your course co-ordinator or contact the Learning Development Centre.

If you are reported to DIAC for breaching this condition you will need to report to the DIAC office in Sydney within 28 days, otherwise your visa will automatically be cancelled.

The international student page Satisfactory Course Progress provides more information about the implications of not making satisfactory course progress. 

 Remain with your original provider for the first 6 months of study

Students are required to remain with their original provider for the first 6 months of study on their principal course.  If there is a reason you may be unable to fulfil this requirement you must apply for a letter of release.

The international student page leaving the University provides more information about applying for a letter of release.

 Maintain current Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

All students on student visas are required to pay Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their student visa. OSHC provides for medical and hospital cover for students and their dependants. UOW's preferred OSHC provider is BUPA. Charges can be found on the BUPA website at:  http://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/cover/oshc

BUPA representatives are available at Student Central each day between 11am - 3pm (in session). Outside of these consultation times, you can also discuss your OSHC matters with the Client Service team at Student Central, or contact BUPA directly on 1800 888 942

 Notify the University of any change of Address

You must notify the University of your Australian residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia . You must also notify the University within 7 days of changing your address.

You can update your address via SOLS under "Change Mailing/Family Address." Please note that you must list the address where you are actually living. You cannot give the address of a post office box, your agent, or your faculty address.

 Pay tuition fees on time

If you do not pay your fees on time the University will cancel your enrolment and report you to DIAC for non payment of fees.  This may lead to the cancellation of your student visa.

If you experience difficulties in paying your fees you should speak to Student Central Staff, Building 17.  You should do this before your fees are due.

Summary of course progress and visa responsibilities

 For a summary of course progress and visa responsibilities please download the Orientation Brochure

It is your responsibility to ensure that you continue to satisfy the conditions on your visa. 

For further information, refer to Student Visa Conditions on DIAC's website

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns Ask Us!

Visit us @ Student Central Ground Floor, Building 17
Phone: (02) 4221 3927
Facsimile: (02) 4221 4322
Email: askuow@uow.edu.au