Guide for international student enrolment and course extension in Australia

What is the standard enrolment load?
As an international student holding a student visa, you are required to enrol so that you are able to complete your course in accordance with the duration specified in your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment form (CoE).  The period of your CoE is calculated on the normal amount of full time study. For an undergraduate student studying at Monash University , this means an enrolment of 24 credit points per semester. A standard undergraduate course has duration of three years although some courses are for longer periods.

Can a student be approved to underload?
If you are unable to enrol in the standard load, an Application to Underload can be made. Your faculty will decide on your application.

Can a new CoE be issued so that a course can be completed in Australia?
If you are approved to underload, a new CoE can be issued at a later date if you want to extend your course duration in Australia and apply for a new student visa.

Approval can be given on the grounds specified in National Code 2007 Standard 9.2. This standard permits education providers to issue a new CoE to extend a student’s course duration on the following grounds: 

- compassionate or compelling circumstances
- implementation of the Monash Intervention Strategy
- approved deferment or suspension of study has been granted

What is the meaning of 'compassionate or compelling' circumstances?
'Compassionate' circumstances include situations where you have had a serious illness or serious medical condition or a close family member has died and you are required to provide assistance or support.

'Compelling' refers to circumstances that are involuntary and you are faced with a situation in which there is little or no alternative. This might include course progress rules/prerequisites which prevent your enrolment in a full quota of units or you have failed just a few units during your course. It might also include personal or family situations which require your attention and over which you have no control.

What is the Monash Intervention Strategy?
The Intervention Strategy is a strategy outlining the circumstances when Monash will intervene to provide assistance and support to enable a student to succeed academically.  Monash might send you a warning letter concerning your academic progress, refer you to university services to assist you academically, place you on an enrolment condition, approve an Underload, require you to attend a academic support meeting or a hearing of an Academic Progress Committee.

What is approved deferment or suspension of study?
This is when you have been granted intermission from your studies (also known as leave of absence) or you have been suspended from study on discipline grounds.

What is the process for applying for a new CoE?
You need to contact the Health, Wellbeing and Development (HWD) office on your campus. At some campuses, you can apply for a CoE online and at other campuses you will need to lodge an application form at the Student Service Centre.

Your faculty will advise HWD on whether the CoE can be issued and if issued, your expected course end date. HWD will then issue the CoE.

If a student has not previously applied to underload on the basis of compassionate or compelling circumstances, the Intervention strategy has not been activated or Intermission has not been approved, can a student extend their course in Australia?
This depends on whether, following review of your application for a CoE, your faculty decides that you meet the grounds specified in National Code Standard 9.2. If you have enrolled in less that the standard 24 credit points per semester over more than one semester and have not sought or received faculty approval, Monash would not be able to issue a new CoE. Depending on the availability of off campus units, you may be able to complete your course from at home by distance education. If you have failed a few units during your course but not a sufficient number in any semester to activate the Intervention strategy, Monash would regard this as a 'compelling circumstance' and would issue a new CoE. Each application is considered on its merits and the final decision depends on whether approval can be given on one of the grounds outlined in standard 9.2.