Taking leave or withdrawing from study

Discuss your studies with your teachers or coordinator. They can go through your options and show you how to change your enrolment.

If you’re enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate course, you can:

• change how you study
• reduce your study load
• take leave
• change to a different course
• withdraw from your course.

Before you make your final decision, speak to someone about the planning and progression of your course. Book an appointment for advice about:

• applying for credit
• unit selection
• checking you're on track to graduate
• changing your major, minor or specialisation
• enrolling after failing a unit
• changes to your course structure or a course in teach-out
• reducing to part-time study
• course transfer
• cross-institution enrolment.

Change how you study

We offer online learning and flexible delivery, as well as on-campus study modes. Explore the options to find out more.

Reduce your study load

Lots of our courses can be studied part time. Talk to your course coordinator to find out if this is an option for you. If it is, request a new student plan via our enquiry portal and adjust your enrolment in my Student Centre.

Make sure you drop extra units by census date. If you don’t, the units you were enrolled in at census date will be included in your student fees and remain on your record with a 'withdraw' grade.

Keep in mind that reducing your study load can impact your Centrelink benefits. However, you can drop down to 75% of a full-time load (45 credit points or 0.375 EFTSL per semester) and still be considered full time. This means if you go from four classes to three, your benefits probably won’t be affected.

Take leave

You can take leave from your studies for either one semester or one year without losing your place. This is a great option if you have travel plans, temporary health issues or extra employment hours for a fixed period.

To apply for leave, log into my Student Centre and select My Forms > Fill out a new form > Amend your course status. Make sure you do this by census date. If you don’t, the units you were enrolled in at census date will be included in your student fees and remain on your record with a 'withdraw' grade.

Change to a different course

If you think you’d prefer to do a different course at Federation, speak to the course coordinator to find out more about it and check if you meet the entry requirements. If you do decide to change, you’ll need to complete a direct application before the start of the next teaching period.

Withdraw from your course

Sometimes withdrawing feels like the only option. But if you’re thinking about it, talk to your course coordinator or support staff first to find out if there’s an alternative.

If you’re sure that withdrawing is right for you, log into my Student Centre and select My Forms > Fill out a new form > Amend your course status. Make sure you do this by census date. If you don’t, the units you were enrolled in at census date will be included in your student fees and remain on your record with a 'withdraw' grade.

If something out of your control prevents you from studying, you may be able to take a break or reduce your study load. If that isn’t enough, you can completely withdraw from your studies.

Take leave, defer or reduce your study load

You’re expected to complete your studies within the duration specified on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). However, you may be able to defer (start your course late), take leave from your studies or reduce your study load if you have a compassionate or compelling circumstance – a situation that is beyond your control and will impact your course progress.

Circumstances that may be accepted include:

• illness
• the death of a close family member
• major political upheaval or natural disaster in your home country
• a traumatic experience such as a serious accident or crime
• pre-requisite course unavailability where there are no other options for enrolment.

You must get approval from International Student Compliance before you apply for leave, defer or reduce your study load.

To apply for leave, log into my Student Centre and select My Forms > Fill out a new form > Amend your course status. Make sure you attach evidence to support your reasons for not being able to study and submit the form by census date. If you don’t, the units you were enrolled in at census date will be included in your student fees and remain on your record with a 'withdraw' grade and your application may be denied. Your leave will be reported and your CoE will be cancelled for the time you aren’t studying. The Department of Home Affairs will also be notified, which may affect your student visa.

To defer, log into the StudyLink portal and follow the deferral instructions. Your CoE will then be cancelled and you’ll be given a new one when you accept your new offer.

To reduce your study load, follow the instructions given to you by International Student Compliance. Make sure you seek approval by census date. If you don’t, the units you were enrolled in at census date will be included in your student fees and remain on your record with a 'withdraw' grade.

If you’re studying at one of our partner institutions, please speak to your academic support staff if you’re considering changing your enrolment.

Withdraw from your course

Withdrawing means leaving Federation and having your CoE cancelled. If you’re thinking about this option, talk to your course coordinator or support staff first to find out if there’s an alternative. You should also contact the International Student Compliance office and read the Department of Home Affairs study situation changes information.

If you’re sure that withdrawing is right for you, log into my Student Centre and select My Forms > Fill out a new form > Amend your course status. Make sure you attach evidence to support your reasons for not being able to study and submit the form by census date. If you don’t, the units you were enrolled in at census date will be included in your student fees and remain on your record with a 'withdraw' grade and your application may be denied.

Your withdrawal will be reported and your CoE will be cancelled. The Department of Home Affairs will also be notified, which may affect your student visa.

Returning from leave

If you’ve been away from Federation for a semester or two, get back into study mode with FedReady, a short course that runs just before the start of semester. You'll learn how to manage your time, plan and write assignments, reference correctly, research efficiently and more.

If you need help with enrolment, book an enrolment and progression advice appointment to discuss your new student plan.

If you’re not sure about returning to study, you could apply for more leave (which may or may not be accepted), consider transferring to another Federation course or withdraw from your studies completely.

Getting support

There are lots of things that can impact your ability to study but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. We’re here to help. Explore our free academic, wellbeing and financial support services.

Peer mentors
Sign up for our Peer Mentor program and we'll match you with a Fed student who will help you settle in for the first semester.

PASS
Come to a Peer-Assisted Study Session if you’re studying a challenging first-year unit.

Studiosity
Get constructive feedback on your assignment drafts or chat live to a tutor.

ASK
Chat to an experience Federation student about anything study-related (in person, over the phone or online).

Learning Skills Advisors (LSA)
Book a face-to-face or online appointment with an LSA to get tips about how to improve your academic skills.

Careers and employability
Get career advice and help with writing your resume, finding work and preparing for interviews.

Counselling
Make a booking to speak with one of our counsellors.

Accessibility support
Let us know if you need reasonable adjustments made to overcome barriers to study.

Fedliving
Live on campus to make it easier to attend classes regularly and on time.

International Student Advisory
Get advice about and help with moving to and living in Australia.

Scholarships and grants
Do a search to see what you can apply for.