Janice Lozano
International students in Australia may be able to take a semester off or a leave of absence under certain circumstances. Students must have completed at least one semester of study and have a good reason for taking time off, such as a serious illness or injury. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered acceptable reasons. Students can apply for a leave of absence or deferral, depending on their situation and how long they want to take off. Those on a student visa must remain enrolled and attend classes until their leave of absence is approved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Availability of semester breaks for international students in Australia | Yes, international students in Australia can take a semester break under certain circumstances. |
| Requirements for semester breaks | International students must have completed at least one semester of study and have a valid reason for taking a break, such as a serious illness or injury. |
| Application process | Students can apply for a leave of absence or deferral, depending on their circumstances. A leave of absence is typically for a maximum of six months, while a deferral can delay the start date of the course for up to one academic year. |
| Necessary documents | Students need to provide supporting documents, such as medical certificates or letters from sponsors. |
| Visa implications | Students holding a visa must remain enrolled and attend classes until the leave of absence is granted. Visa cancellation may occur if students defer for non-genuine reasons. |
What You'll Learn
Leave of absence requirements
International students in Australia may be able to take a leave of absence or defer their studies under certain circumstances. The requirements and limitations depend on the university and the type of program. Here are the leave of absence requirements for international students in Australia:
Swinburne University:
If you are an international student studying onshore in Australia and have completed at least one semester, you may be able to take a leave of absence. You must have a valid reason for your application, such as a serious and long-lasting illness or an injury that prevents you from studying. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered acceptable reasons. If you hold an international student visa, it is crucial to remain enrolled and attend classes until your leave of absence is approved. Failure to remain enrolled or obtain approval for your leave may result in the cancellation of your course.
For new students in their first year and first semester, applying for a deferral is recommended instead of a leave of absence. If you are studying through Open Universities Australia, you can apply for a leave of absence online. You can also delay your course start date for up to one academic year.
To apply for a leave of absence, you will need to submit the required documents supporting your reason for the application. These documents vary depending on your individual case, so it is best to consult an International Student Adviser.
University of Sydney:
The University of Sydney allows students to suspend their studies for a semester, research period, or full academic year. Undergraduate students and those undertaking the Master of Teaching can be granted a suspension for up to one year (two semesters). It is important to note that single-semester suspensions are not permitted due to the course structure.
If you are considering suspending your studies, it is recommended to seek academic advice from your faculty or course director to understand the potential impact on your studies. Additionally, you may need to check the time limit for completing your course requirements.
For postgraduate coursework students (excluding Graduate Diploma in Psychology students), approval from the course director is required for any suspension period. If you are an undergraduate coursework student seeking a third or fourth semester of suspension, you must provide supporting documents, such as medical or other relevant circumstances, for the Associate Dean's consideration.
Macquarie University Sydney:
International students at Macquarie University Sydney can take a leave of absence or study break for up to 12 months during their course. However, some courses may require a specific duration of leave due to unit offerings, so it is essential to check the course exception list. International students should also be aware that leaves of absence are not available during the first study period.
In summary, international students in Australia can take a semester break or leave of absence under specific circumstances. The requirements and processes vary depending on the university and program. It is essential to consult with the relevant university authorities and seek academic advice before applying for any suspension or leave of absence.
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Visa implications
As an international student in Australia, you may be able to take a leave of absence for up to six months at most. If your reason for taking leave persists beyond six months, you must speak to an international student adviser. To apply for a leave of absence, you need to submit relevant documents supporting your reason for applying. The documents required depend on your individual case, and you should consult an international student adviser to determine exactly which documents you need to provide.
Leave of absence is available under certain circumstances to international students studying onshore in Australia who have completed at least one semester of study. You need to have a good reason for applying for a leave of absence, such as a serious and long-lasting illness, or an injury that prevents you from studying. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered acceptable reasons to apply for a leave of absence.
If you hold an international student visa, you must remain enrolled and continue attending classes until you receive confirmation that your leave of absence has been granted. Failure to remain enrolled in subjects in each semester or half-year, or failure to apply for and be approved for an official leave of absence for any semester in which you do not intend to study, may result in the cancellation of your course.
If you are a new student (in your first year and first semester of studies), you should apply for a deferral rather than a leave of absence. If your course is deferred, it is considered \"out-of-session\", and there are no restrictions on work hours. You and your dependents are permitted to remain in Australia during the deferral period. However, the Department may consider visa cancellation if it is found that you have deferred for non-genuine reasons and remain in Australia on a student visa for purposes not consistent with your visa.
Your length of stay in Australia on a student visa is based on the course you intend to study.
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Deferral options
As an international student in Australia, you may be able to take a leave of absence for up to six months at most. If you are still facing issues after six months, you will need to speak to an international student advisor. You will need a good reason to apply for a leave of absence, such as a serious and long-lasting illness or an injury that prevents you from studying. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered acceptable reasons.
If you are a new student in your first year and first semester of studies, you should apply for a deferral rather than a leave of absence. You can apply for a deferral by completing the application form and emailing it to the relevant admissions department. If you are still in your home country and have not yet enrolled, you should contact your agent to arrange a deferral.
If you are an undergraduate student or are undertaking a Master of Teaching, you can be granted a suspension for a period of one year (two semesters). You will need to attach the relevant supporting documents as part of your application. If you are a postgraduate coursework student, you will need to provide approval from your course director to support any period of suspension.
If you are granted a suspension or deferral, your course is considered "out-of-session", and there will be no restrictions on your working hours. You and your dependents are permitted to remain in Australia during this period. However, your visa may be cancelled if you are found to have deferred for non-genuine reasons and remain in the country on a student visa for purposes not consistent with your visa.
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Supporting documents
International students in Australia may be able to take a semester break, but it depends on several factors. Firstly, you must have a good reason for taking a break, such as a serious and long-lasting illness or an injury that prevents you from studying. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered acceptable reasons. Secondly, your ability to take a break may depend on your visa status and the specific requirements of your course. Student visa holders, for example, may have additional requirements and/or limitations when applying for a suspension.
Regarding supporting documents, these will vary depending on your individual case. If you are applying for a leave of absence due to a serious illness or injury, you may need to provide medical certificates, a doctor's letter, or other relevant documentation. If you are a sponsored student, you will also need to provide an approval letter from your sponsor. Before submitting your application, ensure that you provide original documents or certified copies in English.
If you are applying for a suspension or deferral, rather than a leave of absence, the supporting documents may differ. For example, if you are an undergraduate coursework student applying for a third or fourth semester of suspension, you should provide any supporting documents relating to your reason for the Associate Dean's consideration. This could include medical or other extenuating circumstances. If you are a postgraduate coursework student (except for Graduate Diploma in Psychology students), you will need to provide approval from your course director to support any period of suspension.
Additionally, if you are applying for a third or fourth semester of suspension, you will generally need to provide a study plan demonstrating that you have planned out your enrolment and will complete your studies in a timely manner. Contact your program director or program coordinator if you have questions about creating a study plan. It is also recommended that you seek academic advice from your faculty or course director before applying for any suspension, as this can help you understand how the break will impact your studies and ensure that you are aware of any time limits for completing your course requirements.
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Suspension time limits
International students in Australia are allowed to take a leave of absence for up to six months. If the reason for the break extends beyond six months, the student must consult an international student advisor. The most common reasons for taking a leave of absence are serious and long-lasting illnesses or injuries that prevent the student from studying. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered valid reasons for a leave of absence.
For undergraduate bachelor's degree students, the maximum period for completing course requirements is typically 10 years, including any periods of suspension. However, some courses may have a shorter maximum period for completion. It is important to note that the maximum length of candidature, including all periods of suspension, cannot exceed 10 years. Students receiving government payments or scholarships must notify the Australian Government and the relevant authorities about their suspension.
Students can suspend their studies for a semester, research period, or a full academic year. If the suspension request is for more than one year, the application is forwarded to the relevant associate dean for approval. Students seeking a third or fourth semester of suspension must provide supporting documents, including a study plan demonstrating their planned enrolment and timely completion of studies.
Students with a student visa who defer their studies can remain in Australia during the deferral period. However, visa cancellation may occur if the student defers for non-genuine reasons and remains in the country for purposes inconsistent with their visa. Students with a student visa must continue to enrol and attend classes until their leave of absence is approved.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can take a semester break in Australia. However, there are certain conditions that must be met. For example, if you are a new student, you should apply for a deferral rather than a leave of absence. You can only take a leave of absence for up to six months, and you must have a good reason for doing so.
To apply for a semester break, you need to submit a form along with supporting documents that explain your reason for applying. If you are a new student, you should apply for a deferral by completing the application and emailing it to the relevant admissions department.
The most common reasons for taking a semester break are serious and long-lasting illnesses, or injuries that prevent you from studying. Mild illnesses, holidays, and work commitments are not considered acceptable reasons.
If you hold a student visa, you must remain enrolled and attend classes until your leave of absence is granted. Your course will be considered “out-of-session” during the deferral period, and there will be no restrictions on work hours. However, your visa may be cancelled if you defer for non-genuine reasons.
