Introduction Navigating changes in your study situation in Australia can be a complex process, particularly for international students on various student visas. This guide incorporates a Q&A style to directly address common scenarios you might encounter when considering changes to your courses or education provider.

Your Study Situation Has Changed

Q: What would you like to do? A: I want to change courses.

Q: Are you also changing Education Providers? A: Yes.

Q: Have you completed at least 6 months of your main course? A: Yes.

Q: What type of Student visa subclass do you have? A: I have a Student (subclass 570 to 576) visa.

Understanding the Implications of Your Choices:

With a Student (subclass 570 to 576) visa, if you wish to change to a different education sector, such as moving from a bachelor degree to a diploma course, you will generally need to apply for a new Student (subclass 500) visa. This requirement holds true even if your current visa subclass does not align with your new course.

Changing to a Different Education Sector

Education Sectors in Australia Include:

• English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector.
• Schools sector (primary and secondary).
• Vocational Education and Training sector.
• Higher Education sector.
• Postgraduate Research sector.
• Non Award sector.
• Foreign Affairs or Defence sector.

Q: What happens if I change courses under the Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP)? If you were granted your visa under SVP and change courses or education providers to one not eligible for streamlined processing within 12 months of your visa grant, and you are not from a country that was Assessment Level 1 before 1 July 2016, you must apply for a new visa or risk cancellation.

Examples of Changing to a Different Sector:

• If you're enrolled in a Bachelor's degree at a university (higher education sector) and wish to change to a TAFE diploma course (vocational education sector), you may need to apply for a new visa to ensure you remain lawful in Australia.

When to Apply for a New Student Visa

If you possess a Student (subclass 500) visa and wish to change courses or education providers, the provider will notify the necessary authorities. However, it's crucial to understand when you might need to take additional action:

Q: When do I need to apply for a new Student visa? A: You need to apply for a new visa if:

• You are changing to a lower AQF level course or a non-AQF course, even if it's with the same provider.
• You are dropping from a Doctoral degree (AQF Level 10) to a Master’s degree (AQF Level 9). Generally, if your new course is the same or higher AQF level, you may not need a new visa.

Typical Visa Conditions Students Must Know and Abide:

• Condition 8202: Maintain enrolment and progress in a course at the same or higher AQF level.
• Condition 8516: Continue to satisfy the criteria for the granted visa.
• Condition 8533: Inform your education provider of any address changes within 7 days.
• Work Limitations: Understand and adhere to the work limitations specified in your visa conditions.

Conclusion Changing your study situation requires careful consideration of visa conditions, education sectors, and the timing of applications. By familiarizing yourself with these aspects and consulting with your education provider or a registered migration agent, you can make informed decisions and maintain your lawful status in Australia. Always refer to the official Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Call to Action Should you need to change your study situation, consult with your educational institution's international student support services or a registered migration agent to guide you through the process and ensure compliance with all visa conditions and regulations. Your proactive approach and understanding of the rules will help facilitate a smooth transition and continued success in your studies in Australia.