How to defer your offer

As a new student, you can apply to defer your studies. If it’s past the first Census date of your course, you can take a break by applying for a leave of absence.

Quick links

• Before you apply to defer
• Who can defer
• How to apply to defer
• Need help deferring?
• Returning from deferral
• FAQs

Before you apply to defer

Courses are always being reviewed and may change while you have deferred your course. If your course is revised or discontinued, we’ll aim to offer the original or an equivalent course.

Deferring to start mid-year in some courses may delay your progress due to prerequisite subjects, which could extend the time it takes to complete your course. Check with your Course Coordinator to see if this applies to your course.

Who can defer

You can usually defer if:

• you haven't started your course or completed any subjects
• the Census date for the subject/s you're enrolled in hasn't passed
• you’re not enrolled in a short course, single subject or cross-institutional study
• you're not a postgraduate student who has been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• you're not enrolled through Open University Australia (OUA). If you are, contact OUA directly to arrange to defer
• your course isn’t listed below

How to apply to defer

Applications to defer must be submitted by the first Census date of your course. Late applications will not to be processed.

Need help deferring?

If you have any questions about how deferring will impact your studies or need a hand with your application, get in touch with ASK La Trobe.

Returning from deferral

We’ll send an invitation to your personal email to accept your offer and return from deferral. You’ll hear from us before your teaching period begins (by June for Semester 2/Term 4, or by late October for Semester 1/Term 2). We can’t wait to see you!

FAQs