If you’re planning on moving to Australia for study, you might have some questions around whether or not you have actually to attend classes or visit your campus.
The short answer is: it really depends on your course and the university’s policies, but as a general rule, international students are expected to actively participate in their studies to meet the conditions of their student visa.
Unlike secondary school, Australian universities often offer a bit more flexibility for students. Some lectures may be pre-recorded and available online, while things like tutorials and workshops may or may not have mandatory attendance requirements. That said, international students still need to make sure they are maintaining satisfactory academic progress and complying with their visa conditions.
What do student visa holders need to do?
Most international students study in Australia on a Student visa (subclass 500). One of the key visa requirements for this is that students must remain enrolled in a registered course (at either a university/higher education provider, or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and maintain satisfactory course progress for each study period, as outlined in visa condition 8202. Depending on the education sector and provider, attendance may also be monitored.
Students on a Subclass 500 visa must also comply with any work restrictions attached to their visa (which generally limit work to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session), hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and obey all Australian laws.
Is there a minimum attendance requirement?
Higher education providers must continue to monitor course progress regularly, but are not required to monitor specific attendance. However, some courses do have mandatory practicals, lab sessions, placements or fieldwork that all students need to attend in order to satisfactorily complete the course.
For students studying a VET or ELICOS course, providers may be required to monitor attendance in addition to course progress. Attendance requirements vary between providers and courses and should be clearly communicated before students begin their studies. Registered providers must report overseas students who do not meet course progress and/or attendance requirements and ensure that an overseas student is notified of the impending report and has the right of appeal.
While course providers may not monitor attendance in every class, regularly attending lectures, tutorials and workshops helps students stay on track academically. Many assessments build on material discussed in class, and some units include participation-based activities that contribute to final grades. Students should always check the requirements of individual subjects, as attendance expectations can vary significantly between courses and institutions.
What happens if attendance or academic progress becomes an issue?
Registered education providers in Australia are required to identify, notify and assist any international student who may be at risk of failing their course. Students must be given information about relevant support services that may be able to assist them in achieving their learning outcomes.
If a student continues to fail subjects or does not meet course progress requirements despite intervention and support measures, their provider may begin formal processes that could lead to suspension or cancellation of their enrolment.
