Deferring, Suspending or Cancelling Enrolment
International students may apply to defer, suspend or cancel their studies if they are unable to commence their course or continue to attend classes for a specified period of time, due to compassionate or compelling circumstances.
Compassionate or compelling circumstances could include, but are not limited to:
- Serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that the student is unfit to attend classes
- Death or illness of close family members such as parents or grandparents (in such circumstance, a doctor’s or death certificate should be provided where possible)
- Major political turmoil or natural disaster occurring in the international student’s home country requiring emergency travel
- A traumatic experience which could include either involvement in a serious accident, or becoming the victim of a serious crime (these cases should be supported by police or psychologist reports)
- Delay in the processing of a student visa.
Students should be aware that deferring, suspending or cancelling enrolment on any grounds may affect their visa.
AIE Institute is required to notify the Department of Education and Training if they are deferring or suspending an international student’s enrolment, regardless of whether the duration has been affected. Students are advised to contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) regarding any impact the deferment may have on their student visa before formally lodging their application to defer, suspend or cancel their studies.
All deferment, suspension and cancellation of enrolment applications will be processed by the Student Administration Team.
Deferring an enrolment allows a new applicant to defer taking up the place he/she has been offered until a later time.
New students who have received a Letter of Offer but have not started studying at AIE Institute will be able to apply to defer their commencement (start) in the course. Students may apply for a deferral through completing an Application for Deferment Form:
The maximum period allowed for deferment of study is 2 semesters. Deferment applications are not accepted after the course start date.
Suspending an enrolment is available for students who have already enrolled and wish to apply for a leave of absence for a period of time. Students may apply to the Academic Director for a leave of absence to suspend studies for an approved period of time by completing a Leave of Absence Form and Course Withdrawal Form before the census date:
The Academic Director will decide on the leave of absence application and notify the student. If approved, the student will be permitted to enrol again in the approved semester.
To cancel an enrolment, students must complete a Course Withdrawal Form. Students should refer to the relevant Refund Policy and Procedure to determine if a refund may be applicable:
Deferral, Suspension or Cancellation of Enrolment Initiated by AIE Institute
A student’s enrolment can be deferred or suspended by AIE Institute for a specified period, due to compassionate or compelling circumstances.
A student’s enrolment can also be suspended or cancelled by AIE Institute under the following circumstances:
- Failure to pay fees as stated in the written agreement
- Misbehaviour or misconduct by the student
- Fraudulent evidence or documents given to AIE Institute
- A breach of course progress or attendance requirements by an international student
- Other conditions listed in AIE Institute’s policies.
For any deferral, suspension or cancellation of enrolment initiated by AIE Institute, the international student must be given a notice of intention to report and 20 working days to access the registered provider’s internal complaints and appeals process.
AIE Institute proceeds with the deferral, suspension, or cancellation after the internal and external complaints handling and appeals process has been completed.
International Student Contact Officer contact details:
Canberra Campus: Lea Michael
Sydney Campus: Alexandra Mannell
Email: Internationalcontact@aieinstitue.edu.au
Students are advised to contact the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) regarding any impact the deferment may have on their student visa before formally lodging their application to defer, suspend or cancel their studies.
Students can check their visa details and conditions on this page of the Department of Home Affairs.