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Home / Student policies / Deferral, Suspension and Cancellation
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Deferral, Suspension and Cancellation
Sometimes life interrupts study. This page explains when your enrolment can be paused or
ended, who can initiate it, and the rights you have at every step.
Three different things: a deferral postpones the start or
continuation of your course; a suspension temporarily halts your enrolment; a cancellation ends
it. Each can be requested by you, or initiated by ALIT — with different rules.
When you request it
We may grant a deferral or suspension only on the grounds the National Code permits — most commonly
compassionate or compelling circumstances: circumstances beyond your control that affect your progress
or wellbeing. Examples include serious illness or injury, bereavement of a close family member, major
political or civil upheaval in your home country, or a traumatic experience.
- Apply in writing — using the DSC Application form, with supporting evidence such as a
medical certificate, death certificate or police report, to
admission@alit.edu.au. - We assess it — against the permitted grounds, with the decision and evidence documented.
- You receive a written decision within 10 working days, with reasons.
- If approved — we update your Confirmation of Enrolment and PRISMS, and explain what it means
for your visa. - If refused — you may appeal under
Complaints and appeals.
When ALIT initiates it
ALIT may suspend or cancel an enrolment on its own initiative only on permitted grounds — for example
misbehaviour, non-payment of fees, or breach of course-progress or attendance requirements after the
intervention process has been followed.
Before that happens, you have protections. We must:
- Notify you in writing of our intention and the reasons for it
- Tell you of your right to appeal within 20 working days
- Not report the change in PRISMS until the internal appeal process is complete — except
where your wellbeing, or the safety of others, or another National Code exception requires immediate
action
You may appeal at no cost, with a support person, and your enrolment status during the appeal is managed in
accordance with the National Code.
What it means for your visa
A deferral, suspension or cancellation is reported in PRISMS and can affect your student visa —
including the conditions attached to it and, in some cases, its validity. ALIT will explain our decision and
its process, but we cannot advise you on your visa. Contact the Department of Home Affairs at
homeaffairs.gov.au as soon as any of these arise.
Support while this is happening
If you are considering deferring, or you have received a notice from us, talk to Student Services. There
may be options short of stopping your study — an adjusted timeline, additional support, or a change of
study load. And if the circumstances behind it are serious, our support does not stop because your enrolment
is paused. See Student support.
Common questions
Can I defer my course as an international student?
You may apply to defer or suspend on compassionate or compelling grounds — circumstances beyond your control such as serious illness, bereavement or a traumatic experience — with supporting evidence. ALIT provides a written decision within 10 working days.
What are my rights if ALIT suspends or cancels my enrolment?
ALIT must notify you in writing of its intention and the reasons, tell you of your right to appeal within 20 working days, and must not report the change in PRISMS until the internal appeal process is complete — except where wellbeing or safety requires immediate action.
Download the full policy
P5.4 Deferral, Suspension and Cancellation Policy v2.0 (PDF)