Admissions and Course Change
What International Students Should Know Before Changing Their Course in Australia
Australia, as of April 2025, had more than 794,100 international student enrolments, which is around 2% increase from that recorded in 2024. In the academic year 2024-2025, approximately 234,000 student visas were granted. The country continues to welcome a considerably high number of international students interested in enrolling for various courses.
However, academic research and institutional surveys show that many of these students tend to change course later. Whether it’s due to cultural or language barriers, academic mismatch, or financial strain, the change of course has a process. Many students tend to disengage well before the course begins, whereas some strategically switch to vocational courses or PR via trade courses for better career opportunities in future.
What is a principal course? Why is it important when changing courses?
The principal course is the main course that an international student will undertake on a student visa. It is the last course if you are enrolled in multiple courses. For e.g., if you are enrolled in a package course of a diploma leading to a bachelor’s, in this case, bachelor’s is considered the principal course.
According to Australian student visa regulations, a student is only eligible to change their course or education provider after completing at least six months of study in their principal course.
What does the AQF level mean? How does it affect your course change?
AQF is the Australian Qualification Framework. The AQF organises qualifications into a hierarchy of levels (e.g., Certificate I, Certificate II, Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree) and types (e.g., vocational, higher education), providing a clear structure for educational pathways.
International students in Australia are not allowed to study a course that is at a lower AQF level than the level for which their student visa was granted. For e.g., if you are on a student visa for studying a Bachelor’s in Australia, which is on AQF level 7, you can not study a diploma, advanced diploma or certificate level course as these fall under AQF levels 5, 6, or below. Doing so would be a breach of visa condition 8202, which requires students to maintain enrolment in a course at the same or higher AQF level. This condition is important to follow to avoid visa cancellation or complications with immigration.
What is a release letter? When do I need to change my course or provider?
A release letter is a document which allows international students to transfer to a new course or provider before completing 6 months of the principal course. You’ll need this letter if you want to change to a new course or provider within the first six months.
Initial and Later Challenges of Course Hopping
If you’ve been thinking about a course change in Australia, it’s important to know the practical challenges that come along. While the number of students changing courses is not significant, you’ll need to follow the guidelines set by Study Australia and Department of Home Affairs when changing courses. These help protect your visa and study rights. You must refer to your visa grant letter to understand the exact conditions attached to your visa and ensure you don’t breach any of these visa conditions.
● Initial Phase
There are multiple administrative barriers in the initial phase. Typically, the transfer of a course within the first six months of commencement requires a release letter issued by the provider. The letter can be delayed or refused in certain cases, which may compel you to move between providers.
However, there are risks of switching between providers. It may take a toll on your academic performance due to extended study time or lost credit points. There are visa implications as well. If you choose to move to a course of a lower level than the previous one, you must apply for a new student visa.
● Later Phase
The extended timelines of course completion eventually delay your graduation, as the credits may not transfer in time. You’ll need to meet your visa conditions once again after you change your course.
Whether it’s about your English proficiency or financial evidence, policy changes catch you if you’re not prepared. Moreover, the financial impact is considerably high in the form of lost tuition deposits, additional fees, or unexpected charges for CoE reissuance.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Course Change in Australia
| Step | Guidance |
|---|---|
| 1. Take a look at your current agreement and read the provider’s transfer policy. | Along with fees, understand the refund rules and grounds for transfer. |
| 2. Schedule a discussion session with your provider’s student support. | Pursue personalised and practical advice, and ask for help with the release if needed. |
| 3. Thoroughly research your new course/provider. | Confirm CRICOS registration of the course/provider. Check reviews, student support, and visa compliance. |
| 4. Be mindful of your visa conditions. | Make sure you don’t breach any of your visa conditions during the course change. |
| 5. Manage the timeline right from the beginning. | Wait for the provider’s approval if your release letter is expected before six months. |
Typically, trade courses, such as advanced or VET diplomas, offer strong PR pathways.
If you’re in a one-year trade course and have work experience of one year, you may qualify for skills assessment and state nomination for visas like 190/491.
If you’re graduating from a trade qualification, you may be eligible to apply for the Graduate Work Stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). Usually, it’s 18 months of stay along with full work rights, and it lets you build some decent work experience in the local community.
With the 485 visa, international students are eligible to work full-time and travel freely in Australia. They can start planning for permanent residency with employer sponsorship or while onshore.
Extend Current Visa or Get a New Visa After Transfer? - The Dilemma
As mentioned earlier, if you transfer to the same or a higher AQF level, stay with the same provider, and your original CoE covers the full duration, you don’t need to apply for a new visa. However, if your current visa’s timeline is too short, you need a new visa. On the other hand, a new student visa (subclass 500) is mandatory if you switch to a lower-level course.
Change of provider may trigger a new CoE but not necessarily a new visa, provided you meet the level and time conditions. You need to consider extending your student visa if the current visa is expiring before the newly started course ends.
You may indeed apply for a 485 right after graduation. However, it’s imperative to go through the recent changes (in effect from 1 July 2024) that mandate 35 years as the maximum age cutoff. These changes also suggest tighter English and financial capacity requirements in addition to a shortened duration of your post-study work rights.
Choosing Trade Courses with PR Potential - How to Make it Work?
Hundreds of trade qualifications, such as IT, cookery, carpentry, childcare, etc., are listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Skills assessments and sponsorship are viable on MLTSSL.
It’s crucial to re-check and ensure the CRICOS-registered status of the course you choose. Another aspect to confirm is that the course duration is a minimum of 16 calendar months. Both parameters will help you qualify for the 485 Graduate Work eligibility and count toward PR pathways.
When you’re on a 485 visa, it’s advisable first to check if your stream requires a program for job readiness. If needed, complete the TRA’s Job Ready Program (JRP). After you gain certain experience, apply for a skilled independent visa or state nomination.
Mistakes to Avoid While Changing Course to Ensure Compliance with Regulations
Selecting a course provider that is –
- Not CRICOS-registered
- Not regulated by ESOS/National Code and ASQA (for VET) or TEQSA (for higher ed)
- Not paying heed to unregistered providers or ghost colleges that have already been heavily penalised. Choosing such providers means a ruined visa status.
- Forgetting to check your visa conditions
- Downgrading AQF level without knowing the consequences
- Enrolling for a new course just because your friend did. Always make decisions based on your own goals.
If your provider is refusing transfer on an unfair basis, you may approach consumer-protection services like Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Best Practice - Talk to a Registered Migration Agent
Scheduling a consultation with a registered migration agent in Australia is the best way you can get your questions answered. Whether it’s about the eligibility criteria, timing your visa, or PR pathways, a professional adviser can help you with the required information.
Here’s what the adviser will do –
- Deeply analyse your study and visa status.
- Provide advice on the practical viability of trade courses for PR in Australia.
- Help you with the step-wise planning of a 485 visa in Australia.
- Guide you on the extension of your student visa, and help you understand the implications of course transfer.
- Help you with ongoing compliance.
- Provide support with CoE, skills assessments, and Department communications.
Quick Tips Before You Make a Decision
- Consider visa timelines, post-study work eligibility, and PR goals before switching.
- Always verify with CRICOS and ensure your choice supports PR pathways.
- Provider student support, migration agents, government websites, including Study Australia and the Department of Home Affairs, are the key.
Why This Matters?
Changing your course via a fair route allows you to pivot to a path that better supports your career goals, enabling longer stays via a 485 visa. A proper course change also boosts your chances for permanent residency, especially if you choose the right trade courses for PR in Australia. On the other hand, an unfair or improper change of course may have serious implications. It can lead to visa breaches, visa cancellation, wasted fees, and missed opportunities.
Taking the Next Step
Whether you’re targeting permanent Australian residency via trade courses that require assistance with a 485 visa application, or simply looking for expert advice, we’re here to guide you. Our expert Ubhi Immigration Consultants help you make informed decisions about selecting the right course and institution that perfectly align with your academic and career aspirations, keeping your student visa status secure.
FAQs
The simple answer is yes, but the course in which you are enrolling should be a Cricos-registered course.
As an international student, you can change your course after completing the first six months of your principal course.
We always recommend a change of course within your existing visa, if it meets visa conditions. However, if your current visa isn’t covering the duration of the new course or you’re switching to a lower-level course, you must apply for a new visa.
Yes, you need a new COE for the new course.
No, switching to a lower AQF-level always triggers a new student visa requirement.
After six months, you generally don’t need provider permission to transfer institutions, as long as your new course is at the same or higher level.
Yes, you can transfer to another university or college, only after completing the first six months of your principal course.
Typically, 18 months under the Graduate Work Stream, but the exact duration depends on your nationality and qualification.
Yes, short trade courses that are at least 12 months long can lead to PR through state nomination, especially when combined with work experience and skills assessment.
Yes, international students can move to another state in Australia to study a new course; the process remains the same as if starting the new course in the same state.
