Extending your stay (student visas)
While you can’t extend or renew a visa, you can apply for another visa to extend your stay.
If your visa is about to expire
If you’re not in Australia and your student visa is set to expire before you can complete your studies, you’ll need to apply for a new visa as soon as possible.
Processing times for student visas can vary, so it’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to prepare (we recommend applying at least 8 weeks before your visa expires).
- Use the visa processing times guide (Department of Home Affairs) to see how long your visa application may take to process.
- Apply for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to attach to your application – it can take up to seven University working days for us to come back with an outcome.
- Renew your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to cover the duration of your new visa and update your OSHC start and end dates in the Web Enrolment System (WES).
- Use the document checklist tool (Department of Home Affairs) to find out which documents you need to attach to your application.
- Apply for your Student visa (subclass 500) at least eight weeks before your current visa expires.
If you need any help with a visa application, you can contact a registered migration agent.
After you apply
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive an acknowledgement email from the Department of Home Affairs.
Log into your ImmiAccount and check the health assessment tab to see if there are any health assessment requirements. If you’re required to have a health assessment, you’ll need to book an appointment online with Bupa Medical Visa Services or call them on 1300 794 919.
Processing times
Your application may take longer to process if you’re required to provide more information or documentation. To keep things moving, make sure you check your ImmiAccount and email regularly for updates and requests.
For more information about processing times, see subclass 500 Student visa (Department of Home Affairs).
If you’re under 18
If you’re under 18 years old, contact our International Student Engagement (ISE) team at iss@monash.edu or call +61 3 9905 6267.
Research degree students
If you’re unable to submit your thesis by the end of your course, you’ll need to apply for a candidature extension as well as a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
If you’ve submitted your thesis for marking but you’re required to stay in Australia for your thesis correction, you’ll need a new visa. To apply, you need a letter from your supervisor (you won’t need a new CoE).
Staying to graduate
If your student visa is about to expire and you want to stay in Australia to attend a graduation ceremony, you can apply for a visitor visa (subclass 600). Just use the graduation confirmation email to support your application (you'll receive this about seven weeks before your ceremony). If your family would also like to attend, they can also apply for a visitor visa using a copy of your graduation confirmation email.
