What you need to know
As an international student at VU, it's important you inform the University when you are planning to make changes. Many procedures require forms to be completed, government agencies to be informed and sometimes assistance sought from other areas in the university.
Make sure you know what you need to do and when you need to do it - and always ask an International Student Support team member for assistance if you need support.
About you
- Changing address
- Use of personal information
- Keep your health cover up-to-date
Visa information
- Dependants' work rights
- Family members
Your study
- VU Student Guide 2009
- Full-time Study
- Academic progress
- Changing courses
- Leave of Absence (LOA)
About you
Changing address
You must notify VU of your contact details within seven days of arriving in Australia. If you change address you must notify the University within seven days of moving to the new address. To notify the University of any change to your contact details you must log in to your MyVU account and update your personal details.
If you have a condition 8506 labelled in your visa, you must notify Victoria University and DIAC at least two working days before you move to your new address.
Note: Failure to notify the University of a change of address may result in the cancellation of your visa.
Use of personal information
International students must be aware that Victoria University - under Article 51.1 of the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students - may provide personal information to Commonwealth and State agencies pursuant to obligations under the ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code.
Keep your health cover up-to-date
Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) is medical insurance to cover you (and any accompanying family members) for medical and hospital costs while you are in Australia. It is a condition of your student visa that all international students, and their dependants, must pay health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Scheme. Further information can be found at www.health.gov.au
Victoria University's preferred provider is OSHC Worldcare. Information about OSHC Worldcare and premiums can be found at www.oshcworldcare.com.au
Additional information about OSHC can be obtained from the Department of Health and Ageing at www.health.gov.au/
Visa information
Dependants' work rights
Your dependants are eligible to apply for a work rights visa and are permitted to work 20 hours per week. If you are a Masters by Research or Doctorate student your dependants may apply for unlimited work rights once you have commenced your course at VU.
Family members
Family members aged 18 years or over may only study for up to three months. If they wish to undertake a course of study that exceeds three months, they must apply for a student visa in their own right.
You are welcome to bring your children to Australia. However, if the children are school-aged, school fees are incurred if they are enrolled in either a government or non-government school.
If you are receiving an Australian Government Scholarship through AusAID you may be eligible to apply for AusAID dependants' visas to cover school fees for your children.
Within the Department of Education and Training, Victoria, the International Student Unit (ISU) is responsible for the enrolment of international students at Victorian government schools and provides advice while the children are enrolled at a government school.
For more information contact:
International Student Unit
International Division
Department of Education and Training, Victoria
GPO Box 4367
Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia
Phone: 9651 3700 Fax: 9651 3981
Email: overseas.students@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.study.vic.gov.au
Your study
VU Student Guide
The VU student guide includes useful inforamtion for onshore, new and continuing students. CLICK HERE to view this resource.
Full-time study
You must be enrolled in a full-time course of study to hold a student visa. If you are granted credit for 'recognised prior learning' you must still maintain a full time enrolment.
Academic progress
As an international student you are expected to progress through your academic program at a rate that will ensure you complete your course within the normal duration as stated in the appropriate handbook. Student visas are issued for a period of time consistent with the normal full-time duration. This means that you need to make satisfactory progress each semester. You should familiarise yourself with the course progression rules for your course of study. Course progression rules are outlined in the Faculty and TAFE handbooks.
Under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, the University is required to report international students to Immigration if they breach the conditions of their student visa. Satisfactory academic performance and meeting attendance requirements are two of the most basic visa requirements students must meet.
Changing courses
To change your course, submit a Defer Your Studies/Change Your Preference form to VUI staff.
Consult Student Administration for information about what you need to know about withdrawing from your previous course to ensure you do not risk any financial or academic penalty for late changes.
If you wish to transfer from VU during the first six months of your principal course, you will need to apply for a letter of release.
In all cases, you must notify VU if you are considering changing to another institution, and make sure you understand your student visa conditions. For up-to-date information on student visa requirements, please refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Leave of Absence (LOA)
As an international student on a student visa you can only take a leave of absence where you have compassionate or compelling circumstances. Compassionate or compelling circumstances are generally those beyond your control which have an impact on your course progress. These could include:
- Illness, where a medical certificate (by a certified medical practitioner or registered counsellor) states that you are unable to attend classes;
- Extenuating family circumstances (i.e. bereavement of a close family member)
- Major political upheaval or natural disaster in your home country requiring your emergency travel and where this has impacted on your studies.
If you want to apply for leave of absence you will need to submit an original or certified copy of a medical certificate (in English), death certificate (if possible), or other supporting documentation with your Application for Leave of Absence form. Applications are available at all VUI offices. Applications for Leave of Absence must be approved by your Faculty and VU International.
The University is obliged to notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) that you have been granted a leave of absence. Please note that a leave of absence may affect your student visa. For advice check the DIAC website or phone on 131 881.
If your leave of absence is approved for a period of 28 days or longer, you must leave Australia (unless exceptional circumstances exist). This is a DIAC policy requirement. As an international student you are required to:
- Remain offshore for the duration of your leave (if it is longer than 28 days).
- As a general rule, return no earlier than one month prior to the commencement of your next semester.
If you have any questions about your obligations as an international student you can contact the University's Compliance & Quality Assurance Officer for advice by phone on 61 3 9919 1164, via email at vuicompliance@vu.edu.au or by visiting the International branch on the third floor, 301 Flinders Lane, City Flinders campus.
