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What is Leave from Candidature?

Leave from candidature is the approved suspension of studies in the form of an intermission; parental leave or compelling or compassionate leave.  During the period of leave, the day count or EFTD (Equivalent Full-time Day count) is stopped.

What are the different types of leave available to HDR students?

Intermission: Is the voluntary suspension of studies for a minimum period of six months (one semester). You are entitled to a maximum of 12 months of intermission during candidature. You must complete one semester of enrolment in a research degree before being eligible for intermission. While on Intermission, your day count is stopped and you are not enrolled in your degree.

Parental Leave: An Application for Parental Leave must be made before the leave is taken. Candidates who are primary carers have an entitlement of a maximum of  85 calendar days and candidates who are secondary carers are entitled to a maximum of 14 calendar days. Whilst on Parental Leave your day count is stopped but you are still enrolled in the relevant semester. Documentary evidence is required when submitting a Parental Leave application.

Compelling and Compassionate Leave: An application for Compelling and Compassionate Leave should be made where compassionate or compelling circumstances exist. Refer to the  . Documentary evidence is required when submitting a Compelling and Compassionate leave application.

How do I apply for Leave from Candidature?

An application for leave from candidature will not be approved once a candidate has exceeded their maximum period of candidature as per clause 130 of the .

• An application for leave must be made using The 'Application for Leave from Candidature form' which is available in the Research forms page.
• This Adobe Sign form can be used by both scholarship and non-scholarship holders. Application of Leave from Candidature must be approved by –
  • the Primary Supervisor,
  • Dean, Graduate Research School
  • International Compliance (applicable to International students only).
• An application for leave must be made 14 days prior to taking leave except in circumstances where leave is unplanned in which case the application must be submitted within 30 days of the event.

For Parental and Compelling and Compassionate leave applications, medical documents / evidence will be required to process the leave application.

What do International Students need to know when taking leave? 

Under the ESOS Act 2000 and international student visa conditions, international students are permitted to take leave only in exceptional circumstance as outlined in the Deferring, Suspending or Cancelling an International Student's Enrolment: Policy and Procedures. If international candidates are granted approved leave from candidature they will be notified in writing by the International Student Support Services, and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will be notified.

International research candidates should also note that it is their responsibility to notify their Department or Faculty as well as the HDR Services team about their intention to apply for Leave from Candidature as soon as possible. The Â鶹´å is required by law to report to DHA any event affecting the enrolment of an overseas student (international candidate) within 14 days.

What do Scholarship holders need to know when taking leave?

Scholarship holders should check their conditions of award before applying for any Leave of Absence. Scholarship holders may take Leave of Absence and suspend their scholarship for the same period of time. There are no additional forms required from scholarship holders.

What do fee-paying students need to know when taking leave?

Fee-paying students are not liable for tuition fees during periods of leave. If you have already been charged fees for the Semester, then your account will be credited with the amount for the period of leave. A period equivalent to the length of leave taken will be added to the end of your candidature and fee-paying students will continue to be liable for tuition fees for that period.

What do Sponsored students need to know when taking leave?

Sponsors are not liable for tuition fees during periods of leave (if fees have already been paid for that semester, the sponsor account will be credited with the amount for the period of leave). A period equivalent to the length of leave taken will be added to the end of your candidature and the Sponsor will be liable for tuition fees for that period (at the end of the candidature).

While the total length of the candidature and tuition fee liability remains the same, the candidature is effectively extended to a later end-date.  The sponsored student must have the approval of the Sponsor prior to taking Leave (evidence of approval via email will suffice).

How long does it take to process the Application of leave?

Once the form (with approval from the primary supervisor) is submitted to the HDR Services team, it will be processed within 10 working days.

What do I need to do when returning from leave?

If you are on a scholarship and returning from an Intermission, please provide the Graduate Research School notice of your return 4 weeks prior so your stipend can be recommenced.