Release request for international students

International Student Visa holders wanting to transfer to another education provider before completing the first six months of their principal program, will need a Release from UNSW.

Eligibility
Required documents
Applying for release

Important Note: Submitting a release request doesn’t guarantee approval. Releases are only granted under specific conditions. UNSW will consider applications for a release in the context that students were been assessed as a Genuine Student (GS) for the purposes of obtaining a student visa and have made an informed decision to undertake a course at UNSW.

UNSW assumes that a student’s decision was based on the availability of extensive course and general information and that students have taken into account relevant factors including family circumstances, study and career goals, other course options within Australia, location and costs. Check the International Student Transfer Between Registered Providers and PRISMS Reporting Procedures (PDF), opens in a new window

Entry requirements not met
If you have a packaged COE but didn’t meet the entry requirements for your main program.

Not progressing in your current program
If there's proof that your program isn't a good academic fit for you and there are no other suitable programs available at UNSW. Please provide academic statements and written support from an Academic Advisor or UNSW teaching staff.

Compassionate or compelling reasons
If there are serious medical or personal circumstances affecting your ability to study at UNSW. This must be substantiated by documented supporting evidence

Misleading information
If you were misled by UNSW or its representatives about the program or university substantiated by documented supporting evidence

Appeal decisions
If an appeal (internal or external) on another matter recommends or decides on granting a release.
No valid offer 
If you don’t have an unconditional offer from another CRICOS-registered provider at the same Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level or higher (a conditional offer is okay if the only condition is getting a release from UNSW).

Outstanding debts
If you owe any money to UNSW (fees, loans, fines, etc.).

Academic suspension or exclusion
If your academic progression status is suspended or excluded.

Program discontinuation and or visa breach
If you discontinued from your main program, you have breached student visa condition 8518, opens in a new window. You may also have breached other visa conditions. Please check the Immigration website, opens in a new window.

Change of mind
If you have decided you no longer want to study a particular Course at UNSW for personal reasons before completing your first 6 months of study.

Detrimental transfer
If the transfer is considered not in your best interests.

Lack of supporting documentation
If you haven’t provided the necessary documents and a personal statement to support your release request.

If you are under the age of 18, UNSW must have written confirmation from your parent or legal guardian that supports your transfer to the new provider.

Please upload the following documents with your application:

A valid unconditional offer letter from a CRICOS-registered provider at the same AQF level or higher (Conditional offer accepted where the only condition is requiring a release from UNSW), and
A personal statement explaining the reason(s), and
Documented evidence supporting your reasons. If you are applying on Compassionate and Compelling reasons, please have the authorising professional complete the Professional Authority form (PDF, 200kb, 1 page), opens in a new window
If you are sponsored by a government, a letter from your government sponsor confirming that they support the change.
If you are on a packaged offer, a copy of your up-to-date transcript or the final academic transcript and the final attendance certificate.

Applications may take up to ten (10) working days to process.

Important: Do not discontinue from your program before receiving approval for your release. If your release is approved, your discontinuation from UNSW will be automatically processed.

The outcome of your request will be recorded online in PRISMS (as per Standard 7, opens in a new window  of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018, opens in a new window). Hard copy letters are not provided.

How to apply for:

If you are under 18 years of age, you must complete this Release Request Form (PDF, 275KB, 2 pages), opens in a new window.

Your parent or legal guardian must sign both your Release Request form and your personal statement. 

You must also provide confirmation that your new education provider accepts responsibility for approving your accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.

Scan and email the Release Request form to international.student@unsw.edu.au, opens in a new window along with your offer, personal statement and supporting documentation as listed above.
Download form
If you have a packaged offer to UNSW and have not met the entry requirements, you must complete this Release Request Form (PDF, 275KB, 2 pages), opens in a new window.

You must also provide a copy of your up-to-date transcript, or the final academic transcript and the final attendance certificate.
Download form
Higher Degree Research candidates must complete this Release Request Form (PDF, 275KB, 2 pages), opens in a new window.

Scan and email the form to international.student@unsw.edu.au along with your offer letter, personal statement and supporting documentation as listed above.

Download form
Please complete the Request Program Discontinuation and Release Form, opens in a new window.

Once your request has been assessed, the outcome will be emailed to your UNSW email address.

Complete form

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