Reducing your study load

As a student visa holder, you are required to complete your course within a set period, indicated by your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).

The course duration is based on a full-time study load - a full-time study load usually requires a student to take 4 units in each compulsory study period.

You can find your course duration in the Course Handbook.

You may be eligible to reduce your study load if you have an academic intervention strategy, or experiencing circumstances considered to be  of a compassionate or compelling nature. To request to reduce your study load you will need to provide appropriate evidence.

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 will need to provide the following evidence:

  • Unofficial academic transcript (available through eStudent)
  • Certified copies of documents which support your request. If you select a 'compassionate or compelling reason', your documents must be from a recognised professional.
  • Letter explaining why you are requesting to reduce your study load.

If you decide to reduce your study load without an approval from the University or supporting documentation, your request for an extension to your course may not be approved. This may result in your extension request to be refused and not be issued with a new eCoE, leaving you unable to complete your course with the University.

You can submit a Reduce Study Load request 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.