International student visa holders must understand and follow the conditions attached to their student visa.

A detailed list of student visa conditions can be found on the Check visa details and conditions page on the Department of Home Affairs website. 

International students studying on a student visa are subject to requirements that do not apply to other students. If you are studying on a student visa, it is extremely important that you understand these requirements.

If you do not abide by them, your student visa may be cancelled or not renewed, and you may not be able to complete your course in Australia.

Completing your course within standard duration

Under Australian Government requirements, you are expected to complete your course by the end date specified on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Your CoE end date is normally determined by the standard full-time duration of your course. For example, a UTS Bachelor of Business degree should be completed within 3 years. If you have been granted credit or advanced standing, then your CoE duration may be shorter than the standard full-time duration.

Extending your course

In some cases, you may not be able to complete your course within the standard duration. Australian Government legislation prohibits UTS from granting you an extension to your course except in the following circumstances:

  1. You have failed a number of subjects and need to extend your course to complete
  2. You have previously been given permission to reduce your study load
  3. You have previously taken an approved Leave of Absence from your course.

All these circumstances require special permission. If one of the above circumstances applies to you, and you wish to apply to extend your course, you must submit a request for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to UTS International. You can use your new CoE to apply for a new student visa.

UTS is required to provide information to the Department of Home Affairs regarding any changes to your enrolment and any breaches of university rules. This ensures compliance with your student visa requirements. 

Read more information on:


Extending your student visa (Subclass 500) due to COVID-19 impact: Form 1545

The Department of Home Affairs may consider waiving the visa application fee to allow students to lodge a further student visa application to complete their studies.

This is available for students who:

  • held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020; and
  • could not complete their course within their original validity due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Further information regarding eligibility is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Requesting form 1545

You may request form 1545 from UTS once your current CoE end date is within 3 months of your current visa expiry date. 

UTS will only issue a completed form 1545 where your circumstances meet the criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. Please email your request to UTS International.

You will be advised via email of the outcome of your request.