Request To Defer Your Studies

If you've secured an offer from an Australian educational institution but aren't quite ready to begin your studies, this guide by Sandhuz Migration is here to help you understand the course deferral process.

Depending on the institution and the program you've been offered, you may be allowed to postpone your start date by up to 12 months. This means your place in the course will be held for you to commence in the next available intake—either the following semester or the next academic year.

Deferral options are generally available for both domestic and international students, across coursework and research programs. However, international students on a student visa must ensure their deferral complies with the regulations of the National Code, which governs the conditions under which deferral is permitted.

Why Do Students Choose to Defer Their Studies?

There are several reasons why students in Australia opt to delay the start of their academic journey:

Taking a break to travel, work, or engage in volunteer opportunities for personal reflection and growth.
Immersing themselves in different cultures during a gap year, which can enhance their personal development and increase future employability.
Stepping back from studies to improve academic performance—research shows that students who take a gap year often return with better focus and achieve higher results.
Choosing to work and earn money before beginning studies, which helps ease financial pressure during university life.

Fee Details

Some institutions may charge a deferral fee between AUD 100 and AUD 200. This amount can either be refundable or non-refundable, depending on the education provider’s policy.

Deferral Process

You can request a deferral through Sandhuz Migration Consultants while accepting your course offer. We’ll assist you throughout the process to make it smooth and stress-free.

Deferral Outcome

You’ll receive an email update regarding the outcome of your deferral request. Here's what to expect:

If your deferral is approved, you will be issued a fresh offer letter confirming your new intake.
If your request is declined, you still have the option to proceed by accepting the original offer as outlined in the response.
If you plan to postpone your course for over a year, you’ll need to submit a new application to the university you were originally accepted into.
International students who have accepted an offer and paid fees but haven’t yet applied for a student visa may also defer. If approved, the provider may not hold your original place but will issue an offer for a future semester. Upon acceptance of this new offer, a revised Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be sent.

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