CQUniversity and the Australian Government want international students in Australia to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding place to study. Australia's laws promote quality education and consumer protection for international students.

The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 enforces quality educational standards and protects the rights of international students. The National Code provides information on these standards designed to protect international student rights and govern the delivery of CRICOS registered courses.

Student Responsibilities

As per the Student Declaration you signed when you accepted your offer, you must adhere to the University’s Policies and Procedures concerning your enrolment. If you hold a student visa, you should also be aware of the following:

  • You must complete your course by the end date on your Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). This usually requires you to complete 48 credit points per academic year. The University can only extend the duration of your COE in limited circumstances.
  • Changes in your enrolment may result in cancellation of your visa.
  • You must hold a valid visa while in Australia. It is your responsibilities to know when your visa expiry date and apply for a new visa or depart Australia before it is void.
  • You must comply with the conditions of your visa, including those related to work limitations, OSHC, course progress/attendance and ensure your address is up-to-date in MyCQU.
  • You must not study more than 33% of the units you need to complete at CQUniversity via online. If a unit is offered both on-campus and via online, you must enrol in the on-campus offering.
  • You must be enrolled in at least one on-campus unit in each compulsory term.

University Responsibilities

Under the ESOS Act 2000, CQUniversity is legally required to comply with the standards and requirements of the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (National Code 2018).

The ESOS Act 2000 and the National Code 2018 affect the way CQUniversity markets, offers and provides courses of study to international students studying in Australia. The University is required to:

  • Monitor the enrolment of international students, in accordance with the Full-time Student - Duration of Study Policy and Procedure, to ensure students can complete their course within the expected course duration, do not exceed their 33% online allowance and are enrolled in at least one on-campus unit in each compulsory term.
  • Monitor students' course progress in accordance with the Academic Progression Policy and Procedure.
  • Monitor attendance for ELICOS and VET students.
  • Provide international students with access to appropriate internal complaints and appeals processes. Students who are not satisfied with the outcome arising from the University's internal complaints and appeals process may refer their appeal or complaint to the Queensland Ombudsman.
  • Provide a range of student support services to assist students with adjusting to study and life in Australia.
  • Have policies that set out the grounds and procedures for suspending or terminating student enrolments, for instance, failure to re-enrol, non-payment of tuition fees, general or academic misconduct, or unsatisfactory course progress.
  • Notify the Department of Education and Department of Home Affairs of changes to a student’s enrolment or a breach of visa conditions related to course progress/attendance.