Can You Change Your University Course After Arriving in Australia?

The Course Transfer Trap

Thousands of international students arrive in Australia to study a prestigious $50,000-a-year Master's degree at a Group of Eight university.

After one month, they realize the coursework is too hard, or they realize they cannot afford the tuition. They find a cheap vocational college offering a Diploma for $10,000 a year. They try to drop out of their university and enroll in the college.

Their visa gets cancelled.

The 6-Month Rule (Standard 7)

Under the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (Standard 7), you are legally bound to your principal course.

You cannot change to a different education provider until you have completed at least 6 months of your principal course.

Note: Your 'principal course' is usually the highest qualification on your visa. If you are doing a package (e.g., 1 year English + 3 year Bachelor), the 6-month clock does not start ticking until you have been in the Bachelor degree for 6 months.*

The Release Letter

If you want to leave before the 6 months are up, you must ask your current university for a Release Letter.

Universities hate giving these out because they lose your tuition money. They will almost always reject your request unless you can prove 'compassionate or compelling circumstances' (e.g., you are physically failing the course due to a severe medical condition, or the university cancelled your major).

"I found a cheaper course" is not a valid reason. The university will deny your release, and you must stay and pay.

The Downgrading Ban

Even if you wait out the 6 months, you must be incredibly careful about the level of the new course.

Your Subclass 500 visa was granted based on the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) level of your course. If you were granted a visa to study a Master's Degree (AQF Level 9), you cannot simply drop down to a Vocational Diploma (AQF Level 5).

If you downgrade your qualification level without applying for a brand new student visa, the Department of Home Affairs will automatically cancel your current visa for a breach of conditions.

Choose your course carefully before you arrive. Changing your mind in Australia is expensive and legally dangerous.