IIFS must not knowingly enrol an overseas student wishing to transfer from another registered provider’s course prior to the overseas student completing six months of their principal course of study, except in certain circumstances (school sector). As the principal course of study is generally the final course of study covered by the overseas student’s visa, transfer requirements apply to all courses of study prior to the overseas student’s principal course.

STUDENT REQUEST TO TRANSFER TO IIFS FROM ANOTHER REGISTERED PROVIDER
As outlined under Standard 7 of the National Code, IIFS will not actively recruit or enrol a student wishing to transfer from another registered provider’s course prior to the student completing six (6) months of their principal course of study, except in limited circumstances. These are as follows;

• The original registered provider has provided an evidence of release, or
• the releasing registered provider, or the course 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 their course with that registered provider;
• 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. This usually applies where the overseas student’s study in Australia is sponsored by the government of another country. After completing six calendar months of the principal course, an overseas student can transfer without needing to meet one of these conditions.

STUDENT REQUEST TO TRANSFER FROM IIFS TO ANOTHER REGISTERED PROVIDER
An international student requesting a transfer from IIFS to another registered provider prior to completing six (6) calendar months of their principal course of study, must obtain approval from IIFS in the form of a request for a release.

A release will not be required where:

• An international student has completed six months or more of their principal course of study. Where this is the case IIFS will approve the request to study with another registered provider without restriction; and
• The course for which the student has received an eCOE will not be offered by IIFS, and/or has been ceased to be registered on CRICOS.

Granting release for student transfer In accordance with Standard 7 of The National Code 2018, and recognising student’s right to exercise freedom of choice as consumers, as a principle, IIFS will grant a student’s request to transfer to another provider, where it will not be of detriment to the student. With a focus on student welfare and support, IIFS will grant a release where;

• The student will likely be reported because they are unable to achieve satisfactory course progress at the level they are studying, even after implementing the required intervention strategies to assist the student in accordance with Standard 8 (Overseas student visa requirements);
• There is evidence of compassionate or compelling circumstances;
• There is evidence that the overseas student’s reasonable expectations about their current

course are not being met;

• There is evidence that the overseas student was misled by the registered provider or an education or migration agent regarding the registered provider or its course and the course is therefore unsuitable to their needs and/or study objectives;
• IIFS is not able to deliver the course as outlined in the written agreement; or
• An appeal (internal or external) on another matter results in a decision or recommendation to release the overseas student.

Grounds for refusing a transfer request
IIFS considers the following factors as detrimental to the student, and therefore, as reasonable grounds for refusing a transfer request: The request is considered detrimental to the student’s wellbeing; Where the student is transferring to the same or a similar course with another provider; The student has not started studying, or has studied with IIFS (attending and participating in the classes) for less than four (4) weeks and has not had an opportunity to experience the program of study, and/or the range of support services available at IIFS. In this situation IIFS will re-visit the issue within a timeframe negotiated with the student; The student has requested a transfer to a course with another registered provider that is considered by IIFS to be unsuited to student’s academic capabilities, study plans or career aspirations. This includes where a student wishes to transfer from a higher-level qualification to a lower level qualification (e.g. from a diploma level courses to a certificate level course); The transfer may jeopardise the student’s progression through a package of courses; The intended course will not provide adequate preparation for further study, and/or is not recognised by higher education or VET providers as meeting their entry requirements; IIFS forms the view that the student is trying to avoid being reported to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for failure to meet the academic progress requirements; or The student is indebted to IIFS (non-payment of fees or college dues) and/or has outstanding disciplinary issues. IIFS may agree to approve a request for a release if the student can demonstrate that the transfer would be in their best interests. If issued, there will be no cost to the student in obtaining the letter. When finalised and accepted, changes to student enrolment will be updated in PRISMS. Where appropriate IIFS will counsel students, to consider their personal or academic reasons for transferring. Outcomes of counselling may include the identification of alternative academic programs within IIFS, and/or the recommendation of appropriate student support or study skills support as an alternative to the transfer. Where the student is eligible for a release, this will not affect their right to transfer. As required by standard 7.2 of The National Code 2018, IIFS will only grant a release where the student has provided a letter from another registered provider confirming that a valid enrolment offer has been made (i.e. a letter of offer). In addition to this IIFS requires the student to outline in writing their reasons for requesting a transfer to another registered provider. Where IIFS grants a release, a release will be processed at no cost to the student, pursuant to standard 7.4 of The National Code 2018. Where IIFS does not grant a student’s request for a release, IIFS will provide written reasons for refusing the request. In accordance with Standard 10 of the National Code, the student will be informed of their rights of appeal against the decision. All appeals will be carried out in line with IIFS’s Complaints and Appeals Policy and Procedure