Changing Course or Education Provider

Speak with your current and proposed education providers and check your Student visa conditions in VEVO. Your circumstances may determine whether you can transfer immediately or whether you need to complete a certain period of your current course.

Student visas include conditions relating to study. Some changes may also be affected by conditions such as 8202, 8203 or 8204 depending on the student’s circumstances. Check the actual conditions attached to your visa before making a change.

If you transfer to another provider, make sure the new course is appropriate and obtain the required Confirmation of Enrolment. A CoE must be valid when required for a Student visa application, and changes to enrolment should be handled consistently with the applicable visa and education-sector rules.

Moving to a course at a lower AQF level can have additional visa implications and should be assessed before the transfer. Consider your current visa, previous study history and whether a new Student visa application will be necessary.

If you have completed your course and intend to continue studying, check whether your existing Student visa covers the new study. If a new Student visa is required, plan the application before your current visa expires.

Previous study in Australia, reasons for course/provider changes, study gaps and course progress can be relevant to a later Student visa application. Keep clear evidence explaining genuine academic or career reasons for significant changes.

If your education provider closes or cannot deliver your course because of a provider default, different arrangements may apply. Contact the Department and your provider and obtain the appropriate new CoE where required.

Check VEVO conditions; discuss the transfer with both providers; confirm CRICOS registration; understand release/transfer requirements; obtain the new CoE; check whether a new visa is required; maintain lawful status and OSHC; and retain records explaining the change.