Commencement of Course
- START DATE: Students are expected to start their course on the date specified on their Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
- LATE ARRIVAL: Students must seek permission from KAPS if they are arriving late as it may affect their course. Late arrivals may or may not be approved. Students should not travel to Australia without approval. In some cases a deferment may be necessary.
- Non-commencement:KAPS is required to notify DEEWR and the DIAC of students who do not commence their course by the expected start date. The eCoE will be cancelled and this may lead to the cancellation of the student visa
- Deferment of start date: only under exceptional circumstances will a deferment of commencement be granted. If permission is granted to defer your course, you will be issued a new eCoE. Please refer to the Deferment Policy.
- Withdrawal prior to commencement: If you have received an eCoE and no longer wish to study, you need to notify KAPS and complete the appropriate withdrawal notification form. Please note that refunds are made in accordance with the Refund Policy.
Changing Course to Another Provider
There are limitations to transferring to another provider. You are expected to complete at least six (6) calendar months of your principal course. The principal course is the last course in a package of courses for which the student visa was granted. You can only transfer to another provider within six months under limited circumstances:
- A Letter of Release has been approved by KAPS
- You are a government sponsored student and your sponsor has agreed in writing to allow a transfer to another provider
- The course for which you received an eCoE is no longer available.
If you have transferred to another provider, you must complete the withdrawal form. Transferring to another provider may have implications for your student visa. KAPS must notify the DIAC through DEEWR that you have transferred to another provider. KAPS will cancel your eCoE. You may need to re-new your student visa or apply for a new visa if your course is in a different education sector- for example if you move from a vocational education course to a Bachelor level course.
Leave of Absence
Leave will not be granted during the study period unless there are compassionate and compelling grounds. Before you apply for leave you must discuss the situation with the designated International Student Officer. Any application for leave must be supported by documentary evidence which could be a medical certificate, police report or psychologist’s report. If you are granted leave KAPS will notify the DIAC.
Compassionate and compelling circumstances are generally circumstances beyond the student’s control. These circumstances may impact on wellbeing, health or ability to study constructively. These circumstances may be:
- serious illness or injury
- Pregnancy or childbirth
- Bereavement or death of close family member
- Course structure and availability of units
- Visa processing difficulties
- Traumatic event
- Political upheaval or natural disaster in home country.
The following would not be considered compassionate and compelling:
- Financial difficulties
- Employment opportunities
- Interpersonal/relationship difficulties
- Travel
Please refer to the Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances Policy for further details.
Unsatisfactory Course Progress
As part of the student visa it is a condition that satisfactory course progress be maintained. If the student is identified as making unsatisfactory progress, KAPS must notify the DEEWR and the DIAC of a breach of this visa condition. Your enrolment at KAPS will be cancelled and your student visa may also be cancelled. Please refer to the Course Progress Policy.
Unsatisfactory course progress is defined as failing more than 50% of units in a semester. if your course progress is unsatisfactory, you will be sent early warning letters and you will be asked to meet the Director of Studies or Course coordinator. You will be placed on an Intervention Plan (although this can be initiated earlier than the semester).
If you have not achieved satisfactory progress in the next study period you will have to show cause. An Intent to Report to the DIAC letter will be sent to you. You have the right to appeal this reporting process. The grounds on which you can appeal are stated in the letter.
If you choose not to appeal the decision or if you withdraw from the process, you will be issued with a non-compliance notification. The instructions on this notification require you to report to the DIAC within 28 days. If you fail to do so, there are significant consequences which are stated in this letter.
If the DIAC is of the opinion that you have breached this condition of your visa, your visa will be cancelled and you will not be eligible to be granted another visa for three years.
Unsatisfactory Attendance
Students studying the English language courses are required to maintain satisfactory attendance. Please refer to the Attendance Policy.
Warning letters are issued at 90% attendance, 85% attendance, and absence for 5 consecutive days. If your attendance reaches 80%. You will be issued with Intent to Report letter for unsatisfactory attendance. You have the right to appeal this decision. The grounds for appeal are stated in this letter.
If you choose not to appeal or if you withdraw from the process, KAPS is obliged to notify the DIAC through DEEWR.
Your enrolment will be cancelled and a non-compliance letter will be issued. You will be required to report to the DIAC within 28 days.
The DIAC will assess whether you are in breach of this visa condition and will then cancel your student visa. You will not be eligible for another student visa for three years.
Cancellation of Enrolment
Student initiated cancellation
Non commencement of course:
- Not returning to class after the break
- Cancellation or suspension of studies on compassionate and compelling grounds
- Withdrawal from course
- Change to another provider
KAPS initiated cancellations (subject to internal appeals processes)
- Nonpayment of fees
- Unsatisfactory attendance
- Unsatisfactory course progress
- Failure to follow the terms and conditions of an intervention plan
- Behavior or misconduct, including academic misconduct.