If you decide that an individual unit or the course you have enrolled in isn’t for you, you must complete your higher education provider's withdrawal process by the census date to avoid being charged fees.
What's on this page
How do I withdraw from study?
Each provider has their own process for withdrawing from a subject or course. Your provider’s process will outline the forms to complete and how to submit your withdrawal request form.
Further assistance – Talk to your provider
If you can’t find your provider’s withdrawal procedure on their website or in your student portal, contact your provider’s enrolment and admissions office.
It is important to understand the difference between withdrawing from a unit of study (but still being enrolled in the course) and withdrawing from the course. Discuss the difference with your provider.
You may also wish to talk to your provider about options to take a break from study while staying enrolled in the course. This is commonly known as a leave of absence.
What if I don’t follow my provider’s process?
If you don’t withdraw correctly from either your units of study or your course before the census date, you will continue to be charged fees.
Make sure you keep a copy of your withdrawal documents and confirmation emails as proof.
If you are studying more than one course, or studying at more than one provider, you must withdraw from each course and provider separately following each provider's withdrawal process.
What if I don’t withdraw by the census date?
If you withdraw from your study after the census date, you are still required to pay the relevant fees.
This means you will still have a HELP debt to repay, or you will lose any upfront payment made if you are paying fees directly to your provider.
Your provider might also have academic and financial penalties.
Additional information
If you were unable to withdraw from your course by the census date because of special circumstances, you can apply to have your fees remitted. Find out more about special circumstances.
For example
Ash commenced a Bachelor of Laws but after a few weeks, they decided not to continue with their degree and instead accepted a full-time work offer.
Ash didn’t withdraw from their course by the census date, and as a result they were charged tuition fees for the units of study which they deferred to a HECS-HELP loan.
Ash had enrolled in 4 Semester 1 subjects, each with a $2,040 student contribution amount.
As they didn’t withdraw by the census date, Ash now has a $8,160 HECS-HELP debt.
Can I still withdraw from a unit or course after the census date?
While you can withdraw from a unit or course at any time, if you withdraw after the census date of the unit(s), you are required to pay the relevant fees for the unit(s).
However, separate to being charged the unit fees if you withdraw after the census date, there may be academic penalties for discontinuing your unit of study after a certain deadline. These may appear on your transcript. Check with your provider.