Withdrawing from your course

Students planning to suspend their studies for a study period, a year or longer will need to withdraw from all units and submit a Leave of Absence request.

Withdrawing after the census date may result in:

  • an academic penalty and/or
  • financial liability.

If you’re getting a student payment from Centrelink, you also need to notify them within 14 days of any changes. Report your change of circumstances to avoid getting an over-payment.

For a full list of Macquarie census dates, visit the important academic dates page.

International student visa holders

To withdraw from your program submit a student withdrawal and release form online via AskMQ.

Studied for more than six months

If you have studied with Macquarie University for more than six calendar months you are able to stop your studies by notifying the University using the Withdrawal form via AskMQ.

If you have studied less than six calendar months, you must request permission from your Admissions Officer.

A release will only be granted in exceptional and specific circumstances. Refer to the Transfer and Release Policy for International Students.

Before you withdraw from your program read the International Fee Refund policy.

Next steps

The University will cancel your CoE and by doing so will notify the Australian Government that you have stopped studying at Macquarie University.

You should contact the Department of Home Affairs to discuss your visa status.

Application to resume studies

The appropriate procedure to resume your studies will depend on your circumstances and when you anticipate resuming.

You need to have a recorded result in at least one unit of your incomplete qualification. This does not include Incomplete or Withdrawal unit status.

Absence less than 12 months

Domestic students

Students seeking to return to their incomplete program of study at Macquarie University may re-enrol directly via eStudent.

International students

International Student Visa holders who wish to return to studies with Macquarie University are required to apply to return via Admissions.

Absence greater than 12 consecutive months

Domestic students with a course status of ‘Not Continued’ and are seeking to return to their incomplete program of study at Macquarie University must reapply as a new applicant either through UAC or directly to Macquarie.

Full-fee paying international students must contact Admissions for advice on returning to your course.

Formal withdrawal from all units in first year of study

If you have no recorded results in your course at Macquarie because you withdrew from all your units before the relevant census date, you will be regarded as not having been 'effectively enrolled'. To return to study you will need to submit a new application through UAC.

You may choose to defer your position if you are eligible.

Full-fee paying international students must contact Admissions for advice on returning to your course.

Course withdrawal

If you do not enrol in the subsequent study period and record a grade once you have exceeded 12 months of leave, you will be withdrawn from your course.

To return to your course after being withdrawn, you will need to reapply to the University to continue in your course. This will reset your leave entitlements.

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