Student Visa Changes FAQs

We are actively preparing individual learning plans for students whose visas expire before their expected course completion dates, to help you complete your remaining requirements earlier where academically possible. The options available depend on whether you are studying a Higher Education or VET course.

Additional study loads (overloads) are only available after your academic standing has been assessed. We are unable to overload your study if doing so will create a great risk to your course progression.

Plans will reflect your remaining course requirements, but we cannot tailor every option to your preferred timetable or study load. We are arranging access to the subjects most commonly needed by the large number of affected students.

Earlier completion cannot be guaranteed. All required units, prerequisites, assessments and placements must be completed successfully.

We will begin sending proposed plans shortly, prioritising students whose visas expire on or before 15 March 2027 and who have a small number of units remaining. Please be assured that if your visa expires before you are due to complete your course, we are working on a plan for you too.

Our team must review results, approved credits, current enrolments, prerequisites, placements and unit availability before preparing a possible plan.

Please be patient while this work is completed. We will contact you as soon as your proposed plan is ready.

No. These options are voluntary.

When you receive a proposed plan, you will be invited to indicate your interest. We will then promptly assess your academic eligibility and, if approved, provide an updated learning plan confirming your units and study sequence. Due to the short timeframe we have available, you are required to return your study plans within 48 hours.

Expressing interest does not guarantee approval or availability. Some options may also depend on sufficient student interest and confirmed delivery arrangements.

If you choose not to participate, please consider how this may affect your expected course completion date.

To accommodate a larger study load over summer, Stanley College is reviewing the length of the Summer School teaching period.

At this stage, Summer School is expected to commence in the week beginning 30 November 2026 and finish at the end of the week beginning 8 February 2027. These dates are provisional, and we will confirm the teaching and assessment schedule before you decide whether to enrol.

We recognise that this would significantly shorten your end-of-year break. Summer School is voluntary, and you may choose not to participate if you prefer to retain your break.

Your permitted summer study load will depend on the approved delivery arrangements and an assessment of your academic standing. An overload is only available once this assessment has been completed.

Having only a few units remaining does not automatically mean they can all be completed together. Prerequisites, assessment workload, placements and project requirements may affect what is possible.

There are firm, non-negotiable limits on additional study loads. Your approved plan will confirm the units you may take. Please bear in mind that the learning plan is a balance of all students' needs and may not always suit your personal needs. While we understand this can be frustrating, we ask that you continue to treat the Stanley College team with kindness at this difficult time.

An additional study load (overload) is only available after your academic standing has been assessed, and it requires academic approval. The review will consider your academic progress, prerequisites, workload, timetable and the support needed for successful completion.

Please do not assume an additional unit is approved until you receive written confirmation. We ask you to respect the permitted study-load limits and treat our teams respectfully as they work to assist you.

Please do not compile your own learning plan as there are many aspects to be considered that you may not be aware of. Self-determined or changed learning plans will not be considered.

Your proposed plan will consider completed units, approved credits, current enrolments, outstanding requirements, prerequisites, placements and available teaching periods.

Any proposed completion date will depend on successfully completing all remaining requirements. Units you are currently studying cannot be treated as completed until results are confirmed.

Although your remaining requirements will be individually reviewed, the available study options must also accommodate the subjects needed by many other students.

This requires a separate review. The College must consider prerequisites, placement availability, supervision, required hours and assessment requirements.

An earlier placement or project cannot be guaranteed simply because other units can be brought forward.

If you would like to use your current workplace for a placement, it must be assessed and approved before any hours can count towards your course. Required placement hours and assessments cannot be reduced simply to meet a preferred completion date.

The graduation ceremony and formal confirmation of course completion are separate processes.

Completion documentation can be issued once the College has verified that you have satisfied all course requirements and completed the required approval processes.

The arrangements for your award certificate and graduation ceremony will be communicated separately.

If an approved change affects your expected course completion date, the College will review whether your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and enrolment records need updating.

A CoE must accurately reflect your approved study arrangements. An updated CoE does not establish your eligibility for a visa or guarantee a visa outcome.

You may request an assessment for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning under the applicable College policy.

You will need evidence demonstrating that your previous learning meets the relevant course requirements. Credit is not automatic, and payment cannot replace evidence or academic assessment.

Study at another provider towards your Stanley qualification must also be approved before you enrol if you want it to count towards your course.

Possible study arrangements must be assessed individually. Online study from overseas, a deferral or an alternative timetable should not be assumed to be available, particularly where placements or practical learning are required.

If the visa rules require an offshore application, Home Affairs states that you must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted. Seek individual migration advice before making travel plans.

Needing less than 12 more months does not, by itself, establish eligibility.

Home Affairs describes an exemption involving up to 12 months beyond the original course end date, continued study with the same provider and, for packaged courses, the main course. A registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner should assess how these requirements apply to your course and provider history.

An approved learning plan or revised CoE does not establish that this exemption applies to you.

Home Affairs states that applications lodged before 2 October 2026 will be assessed under the rules applying when they were lodged.

For advice about your pending application or bridging visa conditions, consult a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.

Home Affairs states that the changes do not affect your current Student visa. Future applications and arrangements for dependants may be affected, with exemptions applying in some circumstances.

Please obtain individual migration advice about your family’s circumstances.

Early course completion does not automatically establish eligibility for a Temporary Graduate visa.

Home Affairs’ Australian study requirements include at least two academic years of eligible study and completion over at least 16 calendar months. Credit, previous study and overseas study may affect the assessment.

Before accepting an accelerated learning plan, obtain individual migration advice about how it could affect your intended visa pathway. Stanley College can provide accurate academic records but cannot confirm visa eligibility.

Continue attending your scheduled classes and completing assessments while proposed study options are being prepared or reviewed.

Please allow our team time to review your records and prepare a possible learning plan. Avoid duplicate enquiries, and let us know if your circumstances change.

If your visa expires soon, seek migration advice promptly rather than waiting for a proposed plan.

The visa changes are outside Stanley College’s control, but we will continue to support you as best we can through academically appropriate options. Thank you for your patience and for treating our teams respectfully as they work to assist you.