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You have particular responsibilities as an international student that are related to the conditions of your student visa (should you hold one).

Below summary of information that should be read together with information on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website and La Trobe University’s Policies.

These conditions are governed by the Migration Regulations and are enforced by DIAC.

While it is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions, the University is also obliged to monitor your enrolment and notify DIAC of any breaches.

DIAC may cancel your student visa if you are found to have breached your visa conditions.

Your responsibilities include:

• maintaining enrolment and course progress
• achieving satisfactory results
• paying tuition fees on time so you maintain your enrolment
  
• notifying the University of any change of address
• maintaining visa length Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
  

For tips and information to help you comply with your student visa, read this fact sheet (PDF 62KB).

Maintain enrolment and course progress

You must be enrolled in a full-time course registered for international students, that matches the subclass of your students visa. At La Trobe, this means you should study 120 credit points per calendar year. Note that if you hold a packaged visa, your visa subclass may match the highest qualification you are intending to study.

You are also expected to complete your course by the end date specified on your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). This means that you can only reduce your study load in special circumstances and in consultation with your Course Coordinator. A reduced load may result in the need to take up additional subjects in future sessions (summer/winter school, or be overloading) to complete your course in the time frame specified on your student visa.

According to Australian government regulations, La Trobe can only extend your COE (which you need to apply for an extension of your student visa) in certain circumstances. If you think that you will not be able to complete your course by the date on your CoE, then you must see your Course Coordinator or Course Advisor immediately so that an appropriate intervention strategy can be implemented. To extend your COE you will need to fill in the Application for Confirmation of Enrolment form (PDF 90KB).

If you do not abide by these requirements, you may not be able to extend your student visa to complete your course.

Achieve Satisfactory Results

All La Trobe students must maintain satisfactory academic progress according to University policy. As an international student, if you are excluded from your course because of unsatisfactory academic progress, the University must notify DIAC and your student visa is likely to be cancelled.

You can read more information about La Trobe’s academic progress regulations.

Pay Tuition Fees on Time

It is a requirement of your student visa that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and to pay for your studies in Australia. If you do not pay your tuition fees on time, the University may cancel your enrolment and notify DIAC. This may lead to cancellation of your student visa. If you have trouble paying your fees, please contact the Fees and HECS Office first. If you need to you can also make an appointment to see the International Student Services Team by emailing studentsupport@latrobe.edu.au or by calling 03 9479 1199.

You can find more information about fees for international students here. 

Notify the University of any change of address

It is a student visa condition that you notify La Trobe of your residential address in Australia within seven days of:

• arriving in Australia
• changing your address.

You can update your contact details via StudentOnLine. All correspondence affecting your COE will be sent to the current address on file. DIAC also contacts the University to find out your current address. If you do not update your address, your visa could be affected without you knowing.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

You need to ensure that your OSHC is valid throughout your studies in Australia. If you need to renew your coverage and your health provider is with OSHC Allianz, you can do this by making a payment directly to OSHC by Allianz Global Assistance.

OSHC Allianz representatives are available on campus at La Trobe International on Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 10am-5pm for advice, new policies and policy renewals/extensions.