If you are studying on a student visa and have not yet completed 6 months of your principal course at UTS you must apply and be approved for release from UTS before you can enrol at a new institution. This is an Australian Government requirement.

Principal course

If you were offered a package of courses at UTS, and applied for a student visa to cover all your courses using more than one Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), then the principal course is the final course in that package.

For example:

  1. You have two CoEs, one for an English or diploma course at UTS College and one for a bachelor's course at UTS.
    The bachelor's course is your principal course.
  2. You have two CoEs, one for a graduate diploma and one for a master's program at UTS.
    The master's course is your principal course.

If you are still enrolled in a preliminary course, you must apply and be approved for release in order to transfer to another provider.

If you have completed more than 6 months of your principal course, then you may transfer without requiring release approval from UTS.

Six-month requirement

The Australian Government requirement refers to 6 calendar months exactly from the start date of your course, and not one teaching session. Therefore, even if you have completed one session of your course, you may not satisfy the six-month requirement and will therefore require release approval from UTS to transfer to another institution.

Important information about Simplified Student Visa Framework

UTS is an approved participant in the Australian Government’s Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), and recruits students into its courses under the SSVF arrangements of the Department of Home Affairs (opens an external site). The SSVF is designed to make the process of applying for a student visa simpler for genuine students.

Students wishing to transfer courses should note that under the SSVF they are expected to maintain enrolment at the same or higher level of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) study. You will be required to apply for a new visa if you wish to transfer to a course that is at a lower AQF level. 

You must seek your own immigration advice on SSVF and any proposed course and/or provider transfers as this action may impact your visa up to and including cancellation. You must take this important information into account when considering a course change or a possible move to another provider. UTS does not give visa or immigration advice.

Visit the Department of Home Affairs website (opens an external site) for information on the SSVF, the limits on changing your course/provider and how to meet the conditions of your student visa or find information on AQF (opens an external site). 

Conditions for obtaining release approval

Obtaining release approval from UTS is conditional to you demonstrating that you satisfy the conditions listed in the UTS Release Protocol. UTS has the right to refuse your request for release if you do not meet these conditions.

If UTS refuses your request for release then you have the right to appeal the University's decision. For more information refer to section 10 "Appeals against Refusal" of the UTS Release Protocol. 

Applying for release

To apply for release you must:

  1. Obtain a valid unconditional offer from another CRICOS Registered Provider.
    Do not pay any tuition fees or deposit to the new provider at this stage.
  2. Apply to UTS International for release. You must complete the form: Application for Release - International Students (PDF, 55kB)
    Your application must state your reasons for seeking release from UTS. Include a copy of the letter of offer from the new provider and any other supporting documentation. UTS will assess and reply to the request within 10 working days.

If your application is approved:

  1. UTS will approve and record your release on PRISMS; this will allow the new provider to issue you their CoE. You will be informed by email when the release has been applied on PRISMS.
  2. If you have already enrolled you must formally withdraw from your UTS course.
  3. You must accept your offer at your new provider. Your new provider will issue you a new Confirmation of Enrolment certificate (CoE)
  4. Take your new CoE to your nearest Department of Home Affairs office (opens an external site) to inform them of your transfer.

If your application is refused:

  1. UTS will inform you of the outcome by email. You will have twenty working days to appeal the decision. Refer to the UTS Release Protocol for more information.

Note: You must remain enrolled in your course until the final decision is determined.

Requirements for under-18 students

If you are under the age of 18, the following conditions also apply:

  • Your application for release must include a letter from your parent or legal guardian supporting your request to transfer to the new provider.
  • If you are not currently living with a parent or suitable relative, then your offer letter must confirm that your new provider will accept responsibility for your welfare and accommodation arrangements.

Further information

If you have any inquiries about applying for release, contact UTS International or by phone +61 2 9514 1531.