Withdrawing or taking a break

We understand that circumstances can change. If you need to withdraw from your program or take a break from your studies, Bond offers options to help you manage your enrolment responsibly.

Before you decide

Withdrawing or taking leave can affect your academic progress, fees, and visa status (for international students). Before making any changes:

International students must maintain enrolment that meets visa requirements. Contact the International Student Team before withdrawing or applying for leave.

If you wish to discontinue your studies completely you must apply to withdraw. If you wish to return at a later date then you may apply for a leave of absence for up to three semesters. The permitted duration of the leave could depend on your program. As this process requires the withdrawal of subjects, you may incur a penalty depending when you withdraw and your circumstances.

To withdraw from study you must complete a Withdrawal from Program.

Taking a break (leave of absence)

There are times when continuing your studies is not possible due to competing priorities, unexpected circumstances or financial reasons. You may want to take a break for a semester/s with the intention of returning to the same program in the future.  In this case, you may be eligible to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) from your program.

Current Bond students can request a LOA from their program for up to three semesters (please refer to the Enrolment Policy). New students who wish to take leave should apply to defer commencement of their studies instead. See ‘First semester of study’ below.

How to request a Leave of Absence

Current students can request a LOA here.

You can request an LOA for the current semester until the Census Date. You will be automatically withdrawn from any subjects in which you are still enrolled. Please check for any potential implications.

Students will not normally be granted a leave of absence in programs (including program versions) that are scheduled to be discontinued. Leave approved on the basis of compassionate or compelling circumstances after the suspension process has commenced for the relevant program will be negotiated on the basis that a return to the program in which the student is currently enrolled may not be possible.  

Extending Leave of Absence

If you are taking a leave of absence and want to extend it for another semester/s, you should complete a new application.  However, if you have already taken three semesters of leave in your current program or this extension will take you over the three semesters, you will need to attach a personal statement to your application for consideration by the faculty.  Your personal statement should outline the reasons you wish to extend your leave, and you must attach any documentation that supports your request.

Scholarship recipients

Scholarship recipients must attach a personal statement and relevant documentation to their leave of absence application.  Scholarship holders must comply with the provisions outlined in the Enrolment Policy.

Returning from Leave of Absence

In the semester before you are due to return from your leave of absence, you should enrol before classes commence. You can enrol in your subjects for the next semester from Monday, Week 10 of the previous semester.

If you want to request an additional semester of leave of absence, you will need to submit an additional application. 

If you do not return from your leave of absence at the approved time, you will need to re-apply to study at Bond University, and you may not receive credit for all subjects previously completed.

Some programs do not allow students to take leave without faculty approval.  In these cases, you will be sent an email to confirm that your application has been closed and directing you to consult your faculty directly. 

Leave of Absence with a student visa

Student visa holders are not permitted to remain in Australia during LOA unless compelling or compassionate circumstances apply. 

If you believe you have compelling or compassionate circumstances, you must provide medical or other relevant supporting documentation with your leave of absence application. Permission to stay in Australia whilst on LOA ultimately rests with the Department of Home Affairs and is generally only granted due to medical circumstances that prevent you from leaving Australia.  

A period of LOA may affect the status of your student visa. 

First semester of study?

If it is your first semester in a new program, you are requesting to defer the commencement of your program rather than taking a leave of absence. In this case, you should send an email to the Admissions team to request a new offer for the semester in which you would like to commence. 

Withdrawal from program

If you wish to discontinue your studies completely, you must apply to withdraw. To withdraw from study you must complete a Withdrawal from Program. 

Withdrawal penalties

Withdrawing from a subject can affect both your academic record and your tuition fees, depending on when you make the change and the type of subject you are enrolled in. The table below outlines the academic and financial penalties associated with withdrawing from standard and non‑standard subjects, helping you understand what to expect at each stage of the semester. 

Subject typeTiming of withdrawalAcademic outcomeFinancial outcome
Standard Subjects (full semester subjects)Until end of Week 4No academic penalty; subject does not appear on transcriptFull tuition credit (no charge)
Week 5 – end of Week 7No academic penalty; subject appears on transcript with a W grade100% charge (no tuition credit)
Week 8 onwardsAcademic penalty (ie failing grade for the subject). Cancelled subjects will appear on your official academic record with a “WF” grade.100% charge (no tuition credit)
Non‑Standard Subjects (Half Units, Intensives, EMBA, Bond BBT)Before last withdrawal date (see eStudent)*Usually no academic penalty; may not appear on transcript depending on subject rules*Varies by subject; check dates in eStudent
After last withdrawal date (see eStudent)*Grade of W or WF depending on timing*Varies by subject; check dates in eStudent

*Please refer to the Cancellation, Withdrawal Dates and Penalty Information on the Help & Other Links tab in eStudent.  Contact your program advisor for relevant dates.

Withdrawal without academic and/or financial penalty 

If you have experienced serious and unavoidable disruption to your studies and special circumstances beyond your control made it impractical to complete one or more subjects, you may be eligible to apply for withdrawal without academic penalty or withdrawal without academic and/or financial penalty. Bond University applies the special‑circumstances guidelines defined by the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) 2003. 

To apply, you must submit an Application to Withdraw Without Penalty with supporting documentation as outlined on the form. Applications must be received by Student Assist within the timeframe specified in the Withdrawal Without Penalty Procedure.

Students must submit their application by Friday of Week 7 of the semester following the semester in which they were enrolled in the affected subject(s).

Find out more about withdrawing without academic and/or financial penalty

Impact on student visas

Where a student visa holder's proposed new enrolment or withdrawal from a program is inconsistent with the National Code, a student visa holder may not receive approval to change their enrolment.

Under enrolment

The National Code, Standard 8 requires student visa holders to be enrolled with an academic load that ensures the overseas student is in a position to complete the program within the expected duration specified on the overseas student’s CoE.

The registered provider must not extend the duration of the overseas student’s enrolment if the overseas student is unable to complete the program within the expected duration, unless:

  • there are compassionate or compelling circumstances, as assessed by the registered provider on the basis of demonstrable evidence, or
  • the registered provider has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, an intervention strategy for the overseas student because the overseas student is at risk of not meeting academic progression requirements, or
  • an approved deferral or suspension of the overseas student’s enrolment has occurred under Standard 9 (Deferring, suspending or cancelling the overseas student’s enrolment).

A student visa holder must consult with an Enrolment Advisor at Student Assist prior to withdrawal from a subject/s, unless the student will replace the withdrawn subjects with an alternate subject with equivalent academic load that is consistent with the students’ academic program structure and sequence.  

A student visa holder must seek approval from the International Compliance team to study less than full time academic load in any ‘in session’ period of study to ensure the proposed academic load is in accordance with National Code Standard 8 & 9.

Modes of delivery

The National Code, Standard 8 outlines that student visa holders are not permitted to undertake more than one-third of a higher education program by distance learning or on-line learning. Student visa holders are not permitted to undertake subjects exclusively by online or distance learning in each compulsory study period. A student visa holder must study at least one unit that is not by distance or online learning in each compulsory study period, unless the student is completing the last unit of their program.

Withdrawal from program

Student visa holders withdrawing from study entirely will no longer be meeting the 8202 condition on a student visa and may be required to leave Australia. If you are unsure about your student visa obligation following a withdrawal we strongly recommend you contact the Department of Home Affairs or a representative of the Bond University International Compliance team at [email protected].

Overseas student transfers

The National Code standard 7 does not allow a registered provider to knowingly enrol an overseas student seeking to transfer from another registered provider’s program prior to the overseas student completing six months of his or her principal program, except where any of the following apply:

  • the releasing registered provider, or the program in which the overseas student is enrolled, has ceased to be registered
  • the releasing registered provider has had a sanction imposed on its registration by the ESOS agency that prevents the overseas student from continuing his or her program at that registered provider
  • the releasing registered provider has agreed to the overseas student’s release and recorded the date of effect and reason for release in PRISMS
  • any government sponsor of the overseas student considers the change to be in the overseas student’s best interests and has provided written support for the change.

The above standard requires student visa holders to complete 6 calendar months study in their principal program before they are eligible for a release letter. 

The Bond University Overseas Student Transfer Policy provides information relating to student visa holder requests for a release letter prior to the completion of 6 calendar months study in the principal program. 

Where a student visa holder lodges a full and complete release letter application to the Student Assist a relevant officer will conduct a review and provide an outcome in writing within 14 calendar days from the date of lodgement. 

The relevant officer may request further documents or evidence from the applicant, which may extend an outcome timeframe.  An applicant may request a stay on an outcome decision in order to gather and provide further evidence or documentation for the application.   

Exit Awards

If you are considering withdrawing and have completed a significant portion of your program, you may be eligible for an exit award (a lower-level qualification).

Learn more about exit awards

Need help?

If you have questions or need guidance, contact Student Assist.

Student Assist is a support unit located within the Main Library that can connect you with any assistance you may need. The team can provide personalised advice on all aspects of student administration at any stage of your university journey, and connect you with specialised help. 

In person: Located in the Main Library - head straight from the entrance and look for the Information sign near the computer area.

Office opening hours: 8.30am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

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