This page contains ESOS and Visa information that is relevant to international students during studies at the Univeristy of Ballarat.
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ESOS Framework
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The Australian Government wants overseas students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding place to study. Australia's laws promote quality education and consumer protection for overseas students. These laws are known as the ESOS framework and they include the Education Services for Overseas (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code 2007.
Click here to view the ESOS Framework.
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Student Visa Conditions
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Under the ESOS Framework, international students on a student visa are responsible for upholding the conditions of their student visa.
Click here to view the full list of conditions. You should check your student visa for the conditions that apply to your visa.
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Satisfactory Program (Course) Progress
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Your student visa (condition 8202) requires you to maintain satisfactory academic progress in your studies so you are able to complete your degree (program) within the specified visa duration
The University of Ballarat is required to monitor your progress to ensure that you complete your studies within the duration specified in your original CoE. Please click here for more information.
Information about your School's Academic Progress Guidelines can be found in the School's handbook, which you will receive on enrolment.
Please click here for more information.
Identifying students at risk of not meeting program (course) progress requirements
The University has procedures in place to monitor the progress of students. If you have been identified to be at risk of not meeting program (course) progress requirements, you will be contacted by your School to request a meeting to discuss your progress.
Click here for more information.
At the meeting it may be decided that an Intervention Strategy to assist your academic progress will be put in place.
Click here for more information.
Students who do not make satisfactory program (course) progress
If you have been assessed as not achieving satisfactory academic progress, the University will notify you in writing of its intention to report to DIAC your breach of condition 8202. If you wish to appeal, you must submit your appeal to the Executive Officer, Academic Board, University of Ballarat, PO Box 663, Mt Helen, 3353, within 20 working days from the date of notification.
If you choose not to appeal or if your appeal is unsuccessful, you will be reported to DIAC, which in most cases will result in cancellation of your student visa.
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Completion Within Expected Duration of Study
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Due to recent changes introduced by the Australian Government, international students on a student visa are required to finish their course (program) within the expected duration specified on their Confirmation of Enrolment.
Please click here for more information.
This means that if your course is 18 months in length you must complete it within 18 months. This will require you to undertake a 60 credit point load (four units of study) per semester over three teaching periods (semesters). If you are studying a three year course you will need to undertake a 60 credit point load (four units of study) over six teaching periods (semesters).
You should enrol in a full-time load to ensure you complete your studies within the expected duration of study.
In limited circumstances, you may be able to enrol in less than the full-time load. Approval may be granted in the following situations:
· Compassionate or compelling circumstances (eg. illness (where a medical certificate states that the student was unable to attend classes) or where the University was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit)
· Where the University was unable to offer a pre-requisite unit
· Your school has implemented an intervention strategy because you were identified as at risk of not meeting satisfactory program (course) progress (eg. load reduction at your school's recommendation)
· An approved deferment or suspension has been granted
If you do not have approval for any of the above you may not be eligible to receive a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for your student visa extension and you will not be able to complete your program (course).
If you require a new CoE you must complete the form Student Visa Extension - Application for CoE. This form can be obtained from the International Student Programs office at Mt Helen or the Administrative Office at your teaching location.
If you complete your program early, the University must report this to DIAC, and the duration of your student visa may be reduced.
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Deferring, Suspending or Cancelling Enrolment
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Students may apply for deferment of their studies under compassionate or compelling circumstances.
Compassionate and compelling circumstances are generally those beyond the control of the student and which impact on the student's program progress or wellbeing.
These could include:
· Illness, where a medical certificate states that you were unable to attend classes
· The death of a close family member such as a parent or grandparent (where possible a copy of a death certificate should be provided)
· Major political upheaval or natural disaster in the home country requiring emergency travel and where this has impacted on your studies
· A traumatic experience which could include involvement in, or witnessing of a serious accident; or witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime and this has impacted on your studies (supported by police and psychologists reports)
· Where the university was unable to offer pre-requisite unit
If you wish to defer your studies, you are required to complete the Application for Leave from Studies form. Your leave from studies needs to be approved by your School.
If you wish to cancel your enrolment, you are required to complete the Withdrawal from All Studies form.
You should contact the International Student Programs office or your School for more information on deferring or cancelling your enrolment.
Deferring of cancelling your studeis may have an effect on your student visa. You should contact DIAC for advice before lodging the Application for Leave from Studies from or Withdrawal from All Studies from.
Suspension or Cancellation of Enrolment by the University
The University of Ballarat can suspend or cancel a student’s enrolment if:
· it deems your behaviour to be unacceptable for an educational setting
· plagiarism
· breaches of discipline
Please click here for more information on Exclusion for Reasons of Unfitness.
Please click here for more information on Breaches of Discipline.
Please click here for more information on Plagiarism.
If you are unhappy with the University's decision, you have 20 working days to access the internal complaints and appeals procedure.
The University is required to notify DEEWR and DIAC of your suspension or expulsion. This will have an impact on your student visa.
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Complaints and Appeals
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Click here for more information about the University's Complaints and Appeals procedures.
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Changing Education Providers
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If you wish to transfer to another Education Provider within the first six months of your principal course at the University of Ballarat, you need to apply for a Letter of Release. Your application will be assessed according to the University's Transfer Between Registered Providers Procedure.
Click here for the Transferring Between Registered Providers procedure.
Click here for the Transferring Between Registered Providers Application form.
Click here for the Transferring Between Registered Providers Appeal form.
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