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Home About Curtin Governance Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) International Student Transfer Procedures

International Student Transfer Procedures

International Student Visa holders wanting to transfer to another education provider before completing the first six months of their principal course, will need a release from Curtin University. A principal course is usually the final course of study you will undertake. For example, if you are completing an English Language Bridging (ELB) course followed by a Bachelors degree, the Bachelor degree is your principal course.

Curtin University will only grant a release under specific conditions. Applications for release will be considered from the understanding that:

  1. The student made an informed decision to accept a place at Curtin University, having considered relevant factors including family circumstances, study and career goals, other course options within Australia, location and costs.
  2. Curtin University has made available extensive course and general information to support student decision making.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for release due to the following factors:

Entry requirements not met

If the student has a packaged CoE but failed to meet the entry requirements for their principal course.

Appeal decisions

If an appeal (internal or external) on another matter recommends or decides on granting a release.

Misleading information

If it can be proven through documented supporting evidence, that a student was misled by Curtin or one of its representatives about the course or university environment

Compassionate or compelling circumstances

Circumstances may include serious medical or personal circumstances affecting a student’s ability to study at Curtin.

Ineligibility

The following factors may make you ineligible for release:
Rainbow ribbons on Curtin's Perth campus

Applying for a release

Release applications must be submitted through the online application form using the link below. You will need to login with your Curtin University student credentials to access the form. If you are a packaged student and currently enrolled with one of our pathway providers e.g. Curtin College or Canning College, you will need to apply for release through your pathway provider.

Required documents

You need to submit several documents when requesting a release.

Appealing an outcome

An appeal can be made in writing within 20 working days of receiving the notification.

Please note:

  1. Applying for release does not guarantee that approval will be granted by the University.
  2. Applications may take up to ten (10) working days to process.
  3. The application outcome will be sent to your student email address. If a release is refused, the outcome email will outline the reason(s) for refusal and the appeals procedure.
  4. If successful, you must contact the Department of Home Affairs to seek advice on whether a new student visa is required. More information on the process is available on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website.
  5. The outcome of your request will be recorded online in PRISMS (as per Standard 7, of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018). Hard copy letters are not issued.
  6. As per Student Visa Condition 8202, you must not withdraw from your course or units before being granted a release. If release is approved, you will be advised of when to proceed with the withdrawal process.
  7. You must ensure your application includes all required documentation as listed above.

Appealing a request release outcome

To appeal a release request outcome, you must:

  1. do so in writing within 20 working days of receiving the notification by sending an appeal request to ci-releases@curtin.edu.au. You must state clearly on the subject line that it is an APPEAL.
  2. You must submit additional information and supporting documentation to address any points as to why you were unsuccessful in your initial request.

Please note:

  1. The appeal process will only consider whether there was a lack of due process or if there is new or additional information which could alter the previous decision.
  2. Appealing this decision does not release you from your obligations as a student visa holder. You must maintain your enrolment and continue to attend classes until a decision is made on your appeal.

Required documents

The following documents must be included with release applications:

  1. A valid unconditional offer letter from a CRICOS-registered provider at the same AQF level or higher (Conditional offer accepted where the only condition is requiring a release from Curtin University), and
  2. A personal statement explaining the reason(s) for requesting release,
  3. Documented evidence supporting your reasons. If you are applying on Compassionate and Compelling grounds, please have the Professional Practitioner Certificate completed by your doctor or relevant medical professional.
  4. If you are sponsored by a government, you must provide a letter from your government sponsor confirming that they support the transfer.
  5. If you are under 18 years of age, you must provide:
  6. a letter from your parent or legal guardian, confirming that they support the transfer; and
  7. written confirmation that your new education provider will be accepting responsibility for approving your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.

What are ‘compassionate or compelling circumstances’

Compassionate or compelling circumstances may include:

This must be substantiated by documented supporting evidence.