Visa Issues
As an international student, you have a student visa for the duration of your course at Charles Darwin University. There are a number of conditions attached to your student visa. Under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, universities are required by law to report to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) the non-compliance of students who fail to meet course requirements or fail to satisfy attendance requirements. Students reported for breaching these visa conditions are likely to have their student visas cancelled by DIAC.
Key visa conditions:
- Meeting course requirements
- Attendance
- Full-time study
- Change of address
- Health cover
- Change of provider
- Leave of absence
- Visa extensions
- Permission to work
Meeting course requirements
Charles Darwin University will certify a higher education academic result as being satisfactory if the student gains a pass grade or better in at least 50 per cent of a normal full-time load (i.e. four units per semester) over a one-month study period.
Charles Darwin University will certify a vocational education and training (VET) result as being satisfactory if the student gains a competent grade or better in at least 50 per cent of a normal full-time study load over a 12-month period of study.
Student visa holders who are at risk of not meeting course requirements will be sent an At Risk letter and asked to report to the Student Facilitator (International Support).
Attendance
Students must remain enrolled in a full-time registered course of study, and must attend at least 80 per cent of lectures, tutorials and work experience for each semester or course. Roll books are kept for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and VET students.
Full-time study
At Charles Darwin University this means 40 credit points per semester for higher education courses and 360 hours per semester for VET courses. Under exceptional circumstances, such as ill health, you may be permitted to study a 75 per cent workload. You will need to seek this permission from the International Student Coordinator and you may need to provide a medical certificate. The only exception to this rule is in the final semester of a course where less than a full-time load may be required to complete the course.
Change of address
You must inform the university within seven days of your arrival in Australia of your current residential address and must advise of any changes of address within seven days.
When you change your residential address or telephone number please fill in an Amendment to Personal Details (.pdf) form and give it to an administration officer in the Information Centre. The university must be able to contact students at any time.
Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view pdf files. Get Adobe Acrobat reader.
Overseas Student Health Cover
Students must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance while in Australia, this means your Worldcare card or alternative Overseas Health Care Cover must be current at all times.
Change of provider
Students with the No Change Provider (8206) condition on their visas must remain with the education provider (Charles Darwin University) for the first 12 months of the main course of study. Pre-course English and foundation programs (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP)) are not included in this 12 months.
Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to change education provider (transfer to another university) during that 12 month period. Students who feel they have a legitimate reason to change provider, need to see the Student Facilitator (International Support) for advice. A Letter of Release may be provided if the university agrees that you have exceptional circumstances.
Students seeking to transfer to another university within the first 12 months of study will need to submit an application to DIAC. It is important to note that even if students have a Letter of Release from the university, DIAC will make the final decision to reject or approve applications. DIAC may cancel a visa if students leave the university or leave Darwin without this approval.
Leave of absence (deferring studies)
Students may not suspend or defer their studies on any grounds except illness and bereavement or 'exceptional compassionate circumstances beyond the control of the student'. Students who believe they have legitimate grounds to defer studies after commencement of the course should contact the Student Facilitator (International Support) to seek advice.
Leave of absence is permitted for six months only. Students who do defer their studies under these circumstances are obliged to leave Australia unless circumstances such as extreme illness, hospitalisation, or airline regulations regarding travel during pregnancy, apply.
Visa extensions
Students requiring a visa extension must submit an application to DIAC. Students may need a new electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) or a letter from Charles Darwin University. These may be obtained from the Student Facilitator (International Support).
Permission to work
During semester time you are entitled to work only 20 hours per week. DIAC will cancel your visa immediately if you are found to be working more than this. In semester breaks you are permitted to work full-time.
If you wish to work you must apply to DIAC for a new student visa to be added to your passport with permission to work, for a fee of approximately $60.
You can get the Application for a Student Visa with Permission to Work form from the Information Centre. You will also need to get a letter from a Student Facilitator (International Support) to confirm that you have started your course (you are only permitted to work once you have commenced study).
Take your completed application form, letter from the university and your passport to the DIAC Darwin Office to process the Work Permit application.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is located at:
Pella House, 40 Cavenagh Street
Darwin NT 0800
Phone: 131 881
Fax: 08 8981 6245
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Wednesday 10am to 4pm
Website: www.immi.gov.au
A job register is available in the Information Centre. This register will list part time and casual jobs, provide contact details for restaurants, hotels, supermarkets etc and handy hints for finding a job.
