Taking a break from your studies

Suspension of Study (SoS) allows students who are experiencing compassionate or compelling circumstances to take a break from study and return to their home country. International students who are on a student visa must notify the University if they make any changes to their enrolment. If your request to suspend your studies is approved, you are required to contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to discuss your study visa status.

You can apply for a Suspension of Studies after having effective enrolment in at least one unit of study in your course. To apply for a Suspension of Study you must be able to demonstrate and provide evidence of the compassionate or compelling circumstances impacting you.

Compassionate or compelling circumstances can include:

  • Serious illness or injury::
    • a medical certificate stating that you are unable to attend classes for a substantial amount of time must be provided.
  • Bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents
    • supporting documentation must be provided.
  • Major political upheaval or natural disaster in your home country, requiring emergency travel that has impacted your studies.
  • A traumatic experience - for example involvement in or witnessing a serious crime or accident which has impacted you
    • documentary evidence such as a police report for the event must be provided.
  • No suitable units available for you to study for one study period:
    • a letter from the academic department must be provided.

You can submit a Suspension of Study form via AskMQ for an assessment as per the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018: Standard 9: Deferring, suspending or cancelling the overseas student’s enrolment.

If you decide to suspend your studies without approval from the University your eCoE will be cancelled. This will notify the Department of Home Affairs that you have ceased studies prior to course completion and not complied with your student visa conditions so your course will be withdrawn (discontinued).

Failure to re-enrol in your course following your approved period of leave will result in your course being withdrawn (discontinued).