Do you plan to change your course in Australia? Take notes as your student visa, finances, and career are also affected by this decision.
International students are willing to take the risks of changing courses, why? Mostly because they are in this situation:
- The course isn’t what expected
- Chasing a PR pathway
- Career goals have change
- Another university offers a better fit
- Need to relocate to other Australian city
- Experiencing personal issues
- Not enjoying the course
If any of these sound familiar, you better prepare to ensure your study is safe.
education ONE helps students who want to change their course while studying in Australia daily and here to answer your questions.
Can International Students Change Course in Australia?
The short answer: Yes, as long as you stay enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course.
Always remember that you’ll have to comply with student visa conditions and understand the implications that follow.
To ensure your compliance with the conditions, check the 6-month rule to apply when you change your course in Australia.
Before you plan to change your course, ask yourself these questions:
- Does this course actually improve my employability?
- Am I choosing this because it’s easy, or because it adds real value to my career?
- Do I genuinely enjoy this field, or am I just chasing PR?
- If immigration rules change tomorrow, would I still want this career?
- Does this course keep me eligible for 485/PR pathways, or does it lock me out?
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The 6-Month Rule
The 6-month rule is the very basic information you should understand since there are big differences when you want to change your course in your first 6 months vs after.
If you’ve studied for less than 6 months
You can only switch courses within the same institution.
To transfer to a new university, you need a release letter, and these are rarely granted unless:
- You have a serious illness
- A family member has died
- A major disaster has struck your home country
- You’ve suffered a traumatic experience
Even if you receive an offer letter from the new institution, you will not be able to obtain a new Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) if your current education provider does not grant permission for you to withdraw.
If you’ve studied for more than 6 months
You can switch institutions without a release letter and also get credits transfer at your new institution for subjects you have already completed.
Stuck in the wrong course? Get a free assessment to explore your options. Click here to schedule your consultation.
Will Changing Courses Affect My Student Visa Status?
Yes, changing your course could affect your student visa which will result in applying for a new student visa or explaining your genuineness as a student.
See the full explanation below.
Your Genuine Student (GS) status upon changing courses.
Every course change forces immigration to re-examine your student status using the Genuine Student (GS) requirements.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement evaluate the genuineness of intention to study in Australia by examining a number of factors by explaining:
- Why you originally came to Australia
- Whether you’re here to study
- If you’ll leave after graduating
Pro Tip: If you have strong reasons to change your course in Australia, back it up with strong evidence to prove your claim.
When are you not going to need a new student visa
Upon changing your course, you don’t need a new student visa if:
- Your new course is the same or higher AQF level.
- You’re downgrading ONLY from a PhD (Level 10) to Masters (Level 9).
- Your current visa duration still covers your new CoE.
You don’t need to update your ImmiAccount, as your education provider will advise the Department of Home Affairs of any changes to your study situation.
When are you going to need a new student visa
You are going to need a new student visa if:
- You are going to need a new student visa if you change to a course that is at:
- a lower AQF level course
- a non-AQF course
- Your current student visa validity is shorter than your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE).
This applies even if staying with the same university.
Suppose you don’t get a new student visa when conditions above apply, your current student visa will be cancelled.
Will your student visa stay valid after switching courses? Find out today!
How to Change Course in Australia for International Students?
Suppose you reach this section, it means you have a full understanding of what to do and what not to do when you plan to change your course in Australia.
But the next question is, how to change your course in Australia?
Worry not, we’ve got you covered in the section below.
Within the same institution
If you wish to change your course within the same educational institution (internal transfer) in Australia, the process can be relatively straightforward with the help of a faculty advisor.
Also, every institution has its own procedures so you should check your university course transfer policy (usually on the handbook or website).
You can seek our help when your course change requires a new student visa or when your COE is cancelled first. Otherwise, your faculty advisor will help you without having to pay a professional fee.
To a different institution
Changing courses to a different institution in Australia has a different procedure where you are on your own.
Your faculty advisor most of the time won’t help since, why? You’re leaving them anyway.
Follow this step to change your course in Australia:
- Find a new institution offering your desired course (must be CRICOS-registered).
- Ensure the new course aligns with your student visa conditions.
- Submit an application to your new institution.
- If accepted, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer from the new institution.
- If you’ve been in your current course for less than 6 months, you must request a release letter from your current institution.
- If they refuse: You cannot change courses until you complete 6 months of study.
- Once released (or after 6 months), the new institution issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- You do not need to manually update your visa or ImmiAccount, your institution will do that on your behalf.
You need to provide a valid and genuine explanation for why you need to change and a formal offer from the new institution.
If approved, you might fast-track your degree through credit transfers and enrol in second- or third-semester classes at the new institution.
Do Course Change Affect Your 485 Eligibility?
Yes, changing courses will affect your 485 eligibility, stream, duration, etc. because each course has different post-study rewards.
To be eligible for Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) you will need to:
- Completed eligible course
- Minimum 92 weeks (2 academic years) CRICOS study (watch for credit transfers reducing this)
MLTSSL-listed courses for Post-Vocational Education Work stream (most diplomas don’t qualify)
Before changing courses
To ensure you will still eligible for Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), do this:
- Verify 485 eligibility for the new program
- Calculate exact study duration
- Check MLTSSL status if aiming for Post-Vocational Education (PVE) Work stream
Top Course Change Mistakes
We’ve seen these same mistakes have forced students to leave Australia with nothing but debt and regret.
A single misstep could risk your visa, tuition fees, and future. Below are the most common mistakes we’ve seen students encounter (and how you can avoid them).
1. Not Checking Visa Conditions First
The Risk: Assuming “any course change is fine” until your visa gets cancelled.
The Fix: Always verify:
- AQF level requirements
- CRICOS registration status
- 485 visa eligibility before applying
2. Downgrading Qualifications Blindly
The Risk: Switching from a Bachelor’s to a Diploma and losing both your student visa and post-study work rights.
The Fix: Never accept a lower AQF level unless you’ve confirmed with a migration agent.
3. Ignoring the Genuine Student Test
The Risk: Changing to an unrelated field (e.g., IT to Hospitality) and be a “permanently temporary” resident.
The Fix: Prepare a documented academic justification before applying.
4. Missing Critical Deadlines
The Risk: Applying too late and being forced to wait another semester.
The Fix: Mark key dates (4-6 weeks before semester starts) and set reminders.
5. Assuming Credits Will Transfer
The Risk: Losing a year’s worth of study because your new institution won’t accept credit transfers.
The Fix: Get written confirmation of credit transfers before accepting an offer.
6. Going It Alone
The Risk: Trusting friends’ advice over experts, only to find out too late you’ve been misled.
The Fix: Consult a registered migration agent before making any moves.
Course Change Checklist
Before switching, verify every single point:
- CRICOS-Registered?
- Same or Higher AQF Level?
- Eligible for 485 Visa?
- On Skills Shortage List?
- Aligned with Original Visa Intent? (Or can you justify the change?)
- Regional Benefits?
- Credit Transfer Possible?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to transfer between universities in Australia?
Is it easy? Absolutely not. You’ll face:
- The release letter battle (if under 6 months)
- Visa scrutiny – You must prove this isn’t just a lifestyle change
- Credit transfer uncertainty – Your hard-earned subjects might not count
Pro Tip: “Wanting a better campus” won’t satisfy the DHA. You need well documented academic reasons for the move. This isn’t about changing addresses, it’s about convincing the DHA your move is essential.
Can I move interstate for university?
Yes, you can move interstate and the process mirrors standard institution transfers as if you were changing institutions.
Are the deadlines for course transfers the same for all courses or programs?
Each institution has its own deadlines for course transfers, but most universities require transfer applications 4–6 weeks before the new semester starts..
Critical Intake Periods:
- Semester 1: February/March
- Semester 2: July/August
Processing Times:
- Internal transfer (same institution): 2–4 weeks
- External transfer (new institution): 4–8 weeks
Miss the cutoff? You’re stuck waiting another semester, delaying your studies.
Alright, that’s all!
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