Advice for International Students

Australia provides rigorous protection for international students through the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and related legislation, (including the National Code of Practice 2018) which protects and enhances Australia’s reputation for quality education, provides tuition protection and supports the integrity of the student visa program.

The Australian Government has created a fact sheet for international students, containing important information about your rights and responsibilities while studying in Australia.

International students requesting a transfer to the Institution or requesting a release from the Institution prior to the completion of the first 6 months of their principal course* should consult the Transfer Between Providers Policy and the Release Request Procedures. A release request will only be approved in limited and exceptional circumstances.

*The principal course of study refers to the main course of study to be undertaken by an international student where a student visa has been issued for multiple courses of study.

International students on a student visa must complete their course within the duration specified on their COE. This requires international students to be enrolled full time in each study period. A full-time study load for students who are not on Work Integrated Learning (WIL) professional placements is normally:

• no more than 9 credit points and no less than 6 credit points in each study period in a given academic year (this must equate to a maximum of 27 credit points per year) for undergraduate courses; and
• no more than 12 credit points and no less than 8 credit points in each study period in a given academic year (this must equate to a maximum of 36 credit points per year) for postgraduate courses.

For accelerated study load or for students undertaking WIL, refer to the Change of Study Load Procedures.

In limited circumstances including academic difficulties or situations considered compassionate or compelling, a student may be eligible to reduce their study load in a particular study period. Refer to Change of Study Load Procedures for further details.

The Australian Government offers various support services for free such as Study and Learning Support or Legal Advice, and Resources for Health and Mental Well-being. For better-suited confidential advice on work, accommodation, and visa-related concerns, you may submit your inquiries to the Intake Support Service. ICMS also provides both face to face and online Student Services wherever you may be around the world.

Also, check out our ICMS International Student Representatives here. 

The Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a combination of ten numbers and letters that serves as a reference number. It is quick and easy to create, and it will stay with you for your entire life. If you are a new or continuing student enrolled in a Higher Education Provider (HEP) or graduating after 1 January 2023, having a USI is mandatory.  

Your USI is your unique lifelong education number, and it also maintains an online record of your Australian training accomplishments 

• You will not be able to graduate or receive your award (testamur), unless you are studying offshore. 
• In addition to above, if you are a domestic student, you will not be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Loan Program (FEE-HELP). 

To manage your USI and consequently your FEE-HELP eligibility or graduation successfully, it is important to ensure that your personal information, that you submit to the USI Registry Portal matches exactly your personal information that you provide to at ICMS, including your first name, middle name, last name, and date of birth. 

USI Exemptions for International Students: 

International students may be exempt from obtaining a Unique Student Identifier (USI) under certain circumstances. Here are the exemptions: 

• If you completed your entire course offshore, you do not need a USI to receive your award.  

• If you partially studied in Australia and your graduation date is before January 1, 2023, you do not need a USI to receive your award. 
• If you partially studied in Australia, completed your studies, and are currently offshore, you are expected to be exempt from having a USI, even if your graduation date is after January 1, 2023. 
• For more information on USI exemptions for international students, visit https://www.usi.gov.au/exemptions. 

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please contact us via SUPPORT TICKET E-FORM or call us 0299770333. 

Complaints and appeals

If a student is dissatisfied with a decision, they may lodge a complaint in accordance with the Complaints and Appeals Policy and Complaints and Appeals Procedures.

Students have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of the Institution’s services or to raise a grievance about a member of the Institution’s community. Students can be assured that the complaints processes are fair, equitable and dealt with promptly. The Institution manages complaints in accordance with its Complaints and Appeals Policy and Complaints and Appeals Procedures, which provide further details on the following key processes:

Step 1: Students are encouraged to informally resolve a grievance where it is appropriate and reasonable to do so.

Step 2: Where a matter cannot be informally resolved, or if a student is dissatisfied with the outcome, the student may lodge a complaint. The complaint will be investigated and an outcome determined within a specified time period.

Step 3: Where a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint the student may lodge an appeal. The appeal will be investigated, considered by an Appeals Committee and an outcome determined within a specified time period. This is the final internal avenue for appeal.

Step 4: Where a student is still not satisfied, they may submit a complaint or appeal with an external body or agency. Full details and timelines are provided in the Complaints and Appeals Procedures.