My Visa

How to make sure you stay within the rules of your visa

Getting a visa to study in Australia can be complicated - make sure you keep yours by following all the rules. Not all visas are the same, so please check the specific regulations given to you when your visa was granted - if in doubt, contact a registered migration agent, or visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

1. Know (and obey) the rules on working hours

If you are studying a bachelor's or master's degree, you may work up to 40 hours within any fortnight during semester time. (This includes exam periods.) Outside of semester, you can work unlimited hours. Please ensure you know when your semester dates are, and if you have any doubt, contact us.

If you are a postgraduate by research student (HDR, PhD etc.), there is no limit to the hours you can work after the official start date of your research.

2. Keep your contact details up-to-date

These must be kept current in My Student Centre, and there must be at least one postal address and phone number listed within Australia.

3. Check your student e-mail

Important communication from the University will be sent to your student email, not your personal one. For tips on how to forward emails, please check out our guide.

4. If you receive a letter from the University, do not ignore it

If you're unsure what to do about it, come and see us or the Student advisory service.

5. Inform us if you plan to leave Australia before the end of semester

If you are going to miss any classes or assessments you must have written permission from your School, which will only be given for serious family or medical reasons. If it's during SWOT Vac or similar, that's fine, but you must tell International student support where you are travelling to and the dates. If you're unsure of the semester dates, check here.

6. Maintain your academic progress and seek help

Your visa is linked to your course of study here, so making sure you pass your courses is very important! If you are having difficulties with course content, English language or personal issues making it hard to study please contact us as soon as possible. You are allowed to appeal grades, and retake courses but it's so much easier to get all the support you need first time around.

If you are coming to the end of your time at Federation University and need information on your visa options, we offer a free workshop with a local migration agent each year during Semester 2.