Handbook 2009

International Student Support

Murdoch University is a Registered Provider of Education Services and Training as stipulated under the Commonwealth Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 (as amended in 2007) and the Western Australian State Education Service Providers (Full Fee Overseas Students) Registration (ESPRA) Act 1991. The University’s Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) Provider Code is 00125J.

Full details of the ESOS Act and the National Code of Practice can be found at

http://aei.gov.au/AEI/ESOS/Default.htm

Details of the ESPRA Act, including details of the State Government Conciliator, can be obtained from Murdoch International.

Use of Personal Information

Information provided by students to the University may be made available to Commonwealth and State agencies pursuant to obligations under the ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code.

Contact Details

All international students are required to keep Murdoch University informed of their current Australian residential address. This must be done within seven days of arrival in Australia and within seven days of any subsequent change of address. Any changes to contact details should be updated on MyInfo.

Keeping the University informed of current contact details fulfils the obligation to update the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Condition 8533 of a Student Visa; failure to do this is a breach of the visa conditions.

Only a student’s Home address should be recorded as the Residential Address, not a Post Office Box address. Students are also required to provide and maintain their emergency contact details via MyInfo.

Changes to Approved Study Programs

Completing studies within the timeframe of student visa

International students are obliged, under the terms of their Student Visa, to maintain a study load that will see them complete within the duration specified on the visa. It is expected that a student will maintain a full-time study load (12 points per semester). Students intending to amend their study program by changing unit selections or withdrawing from units, decreasing the number of units being studied or changing a unit’s mode of study from internal to external must contact an International Student Adviser prior to making any changes. The International Student Adviser will be able to provide information and advice that will ensure the integrity of the Student Visa and the study program.

Course Transfer

If an international student wishes to change their course of study they must submit a Course Transfer application: see

http://www.oss.murdoch.edu.au/forms/

After a decision has been made, the student will be notified. Changing the course of study may have an impact upon the student’s visa, and students may be required to apply for a new visa if the duration of study has been extended. If an international student is given permission to change their course of study they must contact an International Student Adviser.

Intermission of Enrolment (deferral or suspension of studies)

If an international student wishes to intermit their studies they can do so under Murdoch University regulations (carefully read ‘Intermission of Enrolment’ in the Study at Murdoch section of this Handbook). However, DIAC does not permit international students to defer for more than six months, and then only on medical grounds. International students wishing to intermit their studies should contact an International Student Adviser for advice regarding the implications of the intermission on their student visa.

Withdrawal of Enrolment

If an international student wishes to withdraw from the University, they can do so by completing a ‘Change of Enrolment/Address’ form. Before submitting the form they must contact an International Student Adviser to discuss the implications of the withdrawal on their student visa.

Transferring to another Educational Provider

DIAC does not allow international students to transfer educational providers within the first six months of their course of study. Students wishing to do so must submit a request in writing to Murdoch International for a Letter of Release. If the request is granted, a Letter of Release will be provided. If the request is denied, students have the right to appeal in writing to the Director of Murdoch International. For further information see:

http://www.murdoch.edu.au/International-students

Academic Progress

The University is required to monitor the academic progress of each international student at the end of each study period. This is undertaken as part of the Board of Examiners where all students are assessed against relevant academic progress rules. Students who have failed to meet satisfactory course progress are notified.

If a student is to be excluded from their course or from the University, there are significant implications for the student’s visa. Murdoch International is required to report the student to DIAC for failure to meet satisfactory academic performance; this may result in the student visa being cancelled and a three-year embargo put in place.

Students to be excluded from the University will be notified in writing and will have 20 working days in which to lodge an appeal before the exclusion is put into effect or a report made to DIAC. Whilst the relevant internal appeal process is undertaken the enrolment is maintained. If no appeal is submitted within 20 working days or all appeals have been unsuccessful, Murdoch International is required to report the unsatisfactory academic progress to DIAC.

International students concerned about their academic progress or interested in further information and advice on this monitoring and reporting process are advised to contact an International Student Adviser.

Appealing to an External Agency

International students studying at Murdoch University on a student visa have the right to access an external agency for appeals if they are not satisfied that the University’s internal complaint and appeal process has been conducted fairly. A complaint can be made to the Western Australia Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is independent and external to the University and does not charge any fee for the service.

Normally, the Ombudsman will only consider whether the University has followed its own policies and procedures and whether the handling of a case has been fair and reasonable. The Ombudsman does not make a new decision to replace the decision made by the University (for example, as to what the academic result for a unit should be). However, as a result of an investigation, the Ombudsman may recommend that the University reconsider the case.

All complaints to the Ombudsman need to be made in writing, but initial enquiries about making a complaint may be made by telephone; ask to speak to an Enquiry Officer.

Contact details for the Ombudsman are:

Ombudsman Western Australia

PO Box Z5386

St Georges Terrace

PERTH WA 6831

Telephone: (08) 9220 7555, or freecall 1800 117000 (outside the metropolitan area)

Facsimile: (08) 9325 1107

mail@ombudsman.wa.gov.au

http://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au

Extension of Student Visa

International students may need to extend their student visa for a variety of reasons. It is important to remember that DIAC requires students to complete their studies within the timeframe of their student visa. Once a student realises that they will not be able to complete their studies within the time allowed on their student visa, they must contact an International Student Adviser to discuss the effects this may have on their current student visa, or on the extension of their student visa in the future.