As an ex-student of Deakin University, I witnessed this happen a lot with many students.
They come to study a particular program and after a while, discover other programs that best fit into their future career goals.
For these students, their interests changed after arriving in Australia.
The educational system in Australia is flexible and allows students to change between courses however, there are conditions you must meet before a change is possible.
Your target is to avoid breaching your visa conditions and creating complications with the Department of Home Affairs.
Can I change my course in Australia in subclass 500?
The short answer is yes, you can change your course in Australia if you are on a Subclass 500 student visa, but there are rules you need to follow.
If you want to switch to a different course at the same education level or higher, it is usually allowed.
For example, if you are studying for a Bachelor’s degree and want to change to another Bachelor’s degree, you can do this without needing a new visa.
However, if you want to change to a lower-level course, like moving from a Bachelor’s degree to a diploma, you’ll need to apply for a new student visa.
This is because your visa was granted based on the course you were originally approved for, and switching to a lower level will affect your visa conditions.
Before you change your course, you must also check your visa conditions, like Condition 8202, which says you must stay enrolled in a registered course and maintain satisfactory attendance and progress.
In addition, you need to tell your current school (about your desire to change) and follow their process for withdrawing or transferring.
If you’re changing to another school within the first 6 months of your program, you’ll need a release letter from your current institution.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs takes your course of study seriously, so any changes must comply with visa conditions.
While a change is possible, the implications depend on the level of study you’re enrolled in and the type of course you want to switch to.
To avoid problems, always talk to your school’s international student office or an education advisor before making changes.
Conditions to change my course in Australia in subclass 500
To change your course in Australia, you must meet the following conditions (as it applies to you).
- Condition 8202: Under this condition, it states that you must remain enrolled in a course that is the same or higher level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as your current course.
- Condition 8516: To effect a change of course, you must not breach your visa conditions.
- Condition 8533: This condition states that you need a release letter to change your school within six months of starting your principal course.
Ignoring these conditions can get your visa cancelled.
Therefore, notify the relevant authorities (your course adviser and institution) before changing your course.
Scenarios for changing courses under Subclass 500
Below are scenarios where a change of course is allowed under a Subclass 500 visa.
Changing to another course in the same institution
If you want to change to another course in the same school, you can change to a course at the same level as your current course, a course at a lower level or a course at a higher level.
- Changing courses at the same level
If you want to change to a course that is at the same Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level, like switching from one bachelor’s program to another, you do not need to apply for a new student visa, but you must notify your current school. Your current institution will then update the Department of Home Affairs about your course change - Changing to a lower-level course or Non-AQF course
If you want to change to a lower-level course (e.g., from a bachelor’s degree to a diploma), you’ll apply for a new student visa Subclass 500 and get approval from the Department of Home Affairs.
- Changing to a higher-level course
If you want to change to a higher-level course (e.g., from a diploma to a bachelor’s degree or a master’s program), you do not need to apply for a new visa, as long as your new course is at a higher AQF level.
Changing education providers
If you want to change your institution, the process depends on whether you’re doing so before or after six months on your principal course.
Changing educational providers before six months of study
If you want to change institutions within the first six months of your principal course, you’ll get a release letter from your current education provider.
This letter shows that they consent to the change.
Changing educational providers after six months of study
If you have completed at least six months of your principal course, you do not need a release letter to switch institutions.
Read also: Does admission in progress guarantee admission?
Just let your institution know about the change, and submit a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to the Department of Home Affairs.
How to change your course in Subclass 500
To change your course under a Subclass 500 student visa, speak with your academic adviser.
1. Talk to your course adviser
Before you proceed with your plans to change course, speak with your university or college.
Discuss your plan with them and get their opinion.
Your academic advisor will help you decide what option is the best for you.
2. Check your visa conditions
Your Subclass 500 visa has conditions and you must meet them before you change your course.
Conditions like 8105 (work restrictions) or 8202 (academic performance) still apply, and changing your course shouldn’t breach these.
3. Apply for a release letter (If needed)
If you’re making the change within the first six months, get a release letter from your current provider.
You need to give them a valid reason for the change before you get the release letter.
You also need to present proof of enrollment from the new institution.
4. Enroll in the new course
Once your request is approved, get a confirmation of enrollment (CoE) from your new institution.
Use your CoE to update your information with the Department of Home Affairs.
5. Update your details in ImmiAccount
The Department of Home Affairs needs to know about your course change.
To inform them, log in to your ImmiAccount and upload your new Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).
6. Apply for a new visa (If required)
If you are moving to a lower-level course, then proceed to apply for a new Subclass 500 visa.
Read also: Can “admission in progress” change to not admitted?
Your new visa application should include all required documents like the new CoE, proof of funds, and an updated Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement.
Things to consider before proceeding to change course in Subclass 500
While changing your course is possible, keep this in mind.
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE):
In your GTE statement, you wrote your study intentions in Australia. Changing courses frequently or moving to lower-level programs will raise doubts about your intention to study. - Visa validity:
If your visa will expire before your new course ends, you need to apply for a visa extension. - Tuition fees and refund policies:
It can cost more funds to change course, so, ensure you understand the refund policy of the institutions involved before initiating a change. - Delay in graduation:
A course change can delay your graduation or affect your eligibility for the Post-Study Work Visa under Subclass 485.
Conclusively, if you’re on a Subclass 500 Visa and want to change your course of study.
Whether your current program isn’t what you expected, your career interests have shifted, or you are facing academic challenges, a change is possible.
Read also: List of Federal Universities that accept 160 cut-off mark
As someone familiar with the journey of international students, I know it’s important for your course to align with your immediate career goals.
If you feel that a change of course is the best option for your future, then, go ahead with it.
However, follow your institution’s change of course procedure to comply with your visa conditions.