HOW DO I APPLY FOR A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

If you would like time away from study, the application process is dependent on your enrolment status.

Domestic Students

If you are domestic, undergraduate student applying for leave and you have

  • not accepted your QTAC offer, you can defer your QTAC offer through QTAC.
  • have accepted your QTAC offer but you haven’t started semester 1, you won’t be able to apply for a leave of absence until you have completed one semester of study unless exceptional circumstances warrant it. If exceptional circumstances are present, apply for a leave of absence via ‘eStudent’ > ‘Study Plan’ > ‘Leave of Absence’. You can defer your studies for up to 2 cumulative years (although this can be extended if special circumstances justify it)
  • have completed at least one semester of study, apply for a leave of absence via ‘eStudent’ > ‘Study Plan’ > ‘Leave of Absence’. You can defer your studies for up to 2 cumulative years. Applications of this type are automatically accepted.

If you are domestic, postgraduate student, you can apply for leave up to one cumulative year via ‘eStudent’ > ‘Study Plan’ > ‘Leave of Absence’. You can exceed 1 year leave of absence if special circumstances justify it.

If you are a domestic, research degree student, you can take a limited number recreation/sick leave as long as your supervisor permits it. You can apply for this leave through QUT Virtual. If you wish to take more time than this, you need to apply to the Research Degrees Committee. You should submit your application at least 4 weeks before you want to take leave. For sick leave, make your application as soon as possible. You make this application through QUT Virtual. Be sure to check with QUT whether or not this will affect your scholarship payments, if you have one.

If your application was rejected, our Advocacy Officers can help you appeal this decision. If your application was approved and you wish to return to study, you do not need to reapply for your course. QUT will invite you to re-enrol into your course. You will be withdrawn from your course if you fail to re-enrol.

 

International Students

If you are an international student (undergraduate and postgraduate), you can apply for leave of absence up to 6 months if:

  • you have completed at least one semester of your course; and
  • extenuating circumstances that are beyond your control are preventing you from continuing your studies.

To apply for a leave of absence, go to via ‘eStudent’ > ‘Study Plan’ > ‘Leave of Absence’. If your application was rejected, our Advocacy Officers can help you appeal this decision. If your application was approved and you wish to return to study, you do not need to reapply for your course. QUT will invite you to re-enrol into your course. Consult the Australian Diplomatic Mission in your home country 2 months before you wish to re-enrol to ensure your visa status is up to date. If your student visa is no longer valid, contact HiQ immediately to request an electronic confirmation of enrolment (eCOE) so you can apply for another student visa. You will be withdrawn from your course if you fail to re-enrol.