International student visa holders applying for Approved Leave
I am an International student visa holder, how do I apply for an Approved Leave?
Answer ID 3585 | Last updated on 22/04/2024 10.19 AM
If you’re an international student on a student visa, you may apply for an Approved Leave for up to 12 months if you are unable to continue your studies because of compassionate or compelling circumstances beyond your control (Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act (2000) and the National Code 2018).
Eligibility
Compassionate and compelling circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- Serious illness or injury, where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes;
- Bereavement of close family members such as parents or grandparents (where possible a death certificate should be provided);
- Major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel and this has impacted on the overseas student’s studies;
- A traumatic experience, which could include:
- involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident; or
- witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, and this has impacted on the overseas student (these cases should be supported by police or psychologists’ reports); or
- Where the registered provider was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit, or the overseas student has failed a prerequisite unit and therefore faces a shortage of relevant units for which they are eligible to enrol.
Examples of situations that are not considered compassionate or compelling circumstances:
- Work commitments.
- Travelling overseas.
- Minor medical illness or condition.
- Financial hardship.
- Failure to enrol in your course by the enrolment date.
If you have any questions, please contact the International Student Support team to discuss your circumstances and eligibility for taking leave.
If you are a Student Exchange and Study Abroad student, please contact the UWA Global Learning Office via askUWA or +61 8 6488 8199.
To apply for Approved Leave:
- Log on to studentConnect. using your UWA student ID number and Pheme password.
- Under the COURSE DETAILS menu, select 'Discontinuation/Approved Leave'.
- Select your course and the time period of your leave.
- Submit your application.
International student visa holders are required to provide supporting documents covering the entire requested period of absence within 14 calendar days of submitting an Approved Leave application to the International Student Support Team via askUWA.
For examples of appropriate supporting documents, visit Supporting documents for international students applying for Approved Leave / Intermissions - askUWA
If your application is approved, your current Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be cancelled. Visit here to request a new CoE with a start date in which you intend to resume your study.
For international students on a Student visa, taking a leave may affect your visa status. Please contact the Department of Home Affairs to thoroughly assess the implications of taking leave on your visa.