Changing Courses for International Students in Australia

So you’ve been studying in Australia for a while now. Any culture shock has worn off, but you can’t ignore the niggling feeling that something’s not quite right. Maybe this was what made you realize that you’re more of an Art person than Law, or maybe you were unable to enter your course or institution of choice using your original pathway. Either way, changing university courses can be a stressful period.

Here are a few key aspects to pay attention to ensure a smooth transition

Visa requirements 

As an international student, it is important to ensure that you always have a valid visa when staying in Australia. 

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) recently clarified its rulings on the recent trend of international students “jumping courses” under Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) arrangements.

Students will now be able to request a course transfer to another institution – including both SVP and non-SVP providers – on the proviso that: 

1. Their new course is within the same sector for which their visa was granted 
2. Their visa was granted under an Assessment Level 1 arrangement, and 
3. They remain with, or have been studying at, their original SVP provider for at least 12 months.

 For more information, visit the DIBP website. 

Some things don’t change 

NexPay allows you to make payments to all Australian education institutions. So no matter which school you’re studying at, you can rest assured that you are enjoying the best rates available when paying for your school fees, with no hidden costs.