Change your study load

Study load requirements

Course structure requirements

• You have failed a pre- or co-requisite unit and cannot enrol in the required 48 CP in the current study period, or have repeatedly failed a unit(s) and it is disrupting your study plan progress; or
• The College has decided not to run certain units; or
• You have changed your major and not all units are available in a particular study period; or
• Limited core units are available in your major area of study

Evidence required: Letter or email from the College.

Academic progress

The University has identified you as making unsatisfactory academic progress.

Your progress is unsatisfactory if you:

• fail 50% or more of the units you were enrolled in for the study period
• fail the same unit more than once.

If you have been identified as making unsatisfactory progress, you need to meet with your Student Advisor and develop a personalised academic action plan. As part of the plan, it may be suggested that you reduce your study load for a set period of time.

Evidence Required: Copy of the signed Academic Action Plan and recommendation from the Student Advisor.

Compassionate or compelling circumstances

Compassionate or compelling circumstances are situations that are beyond your control and which affect your wellbeing and course progress in the current study period.

All claims must be evidenced with accompanying relevant official documentation.

If the document is in a language other than English, it must be translated into English by an accredited Translator or Interpreter, or an overseas notary department with a common seal.

Acceptable reasons and evidence may include, but are not limited to:

Reason	Supporting documentation
Course-related circumstances outside student's control	Study plan provided by CUA
Serious illness or injury	Detailed medical certificate outlining severity of illness
Death of a close family member, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, or child	Death certificate
Involvement in a traumatic experience, such as being a victim of, or witnessing, a serious crime or critical incident.	Police report
Political upheaval or natural disaster in home country requiring emergency travel	Notification from the Department of Foreign Affairs and an airline ticket
Unavailability of prerequisite units due to unusual course structure or provider default	College email confirming unusual course structure or provider default
Military service in home country	Official notice from the Home Government department managing conscription
An academic progress decision resulting in an intervention strategy	Academic Action plan and recommendation from the Student Advisor

The supporting documentation for compassionate or compelling circumstances must be from an independent authority or source, and clearly indicate:

• what the compassionate/compelling circumstances were
• when they occurred
• how long they lasted (or are expected to)
• the level of impact the circumstances have had (or are likely to have) on your studies.

Invalid reasons for an RSL application may include, but are not limited to:

• timetable clashes
• financial hardship
• retrospective LOA due to neglecting to enrol by the published deadlines
• dislike of the available unit(s) on offer, including major electives
• employment reasons
• failure of non-requisite units
• dislike of students or study group you are working with (group work)
• missing classes or not submitting assignments on time (for non-compassionate or compelling reasons)
• unavailability of elective units (you are expected to enrol in available elective units that form part of your study plan).

How to apply for a reduced study load

Please be aware that taking a reduced study load can affect your visa. Before requesting RSL, you are encouraged to visit the Department of Home Affairs website. 

To apply for a reduced study load (RSL):

• complete the reduced study load form including all signatures
• write and sign a personal statement outlining your reason for wanting to take a RSL
• provide certified or original copies of any relevant supporting documents.

• Reduce study load application (PDF, 501.3 KB)

Submit your completed application form along with supporting documentation for assessment by via AskVU .

Students who don't maintain a full-time study load and haven't been granted a reduced study load will not be approved for a CoE extension.