Student Transfer Policy

Montford International College | RTO 46346 | CRICOS 04334A | Version 2.2 – September 2026

PP52 – Student Transfer Policy

TEMPORARY ADDENDUM — Transfer Restriction Period (2 October 2026 to 30 June 2027)

Under the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students Amendment (Overseas Student Transfers) Instrument 2026 (F2026L01351), from 2 October 2026 until 30 June 2027 (inclusive) the Transfer Restriction Period is the first twelve (12) months of the student’s principal course with their releasing provider. From 1 July 2027 it reverts to six (6) months.

A student who had completed more than six but fewer than twelve months of their principal course on 2 October 2026 is again within the Transfer Restriction Period until they complete twelve months, or until 1 July 2027 if that comes first. The exceptions in National Code Standard 7.1A are unchanged.

This addendum expires on 1 July 2027 and will then be removed, together with the bracketed references to it in PP7, PP30 and PP52.

1. Purpose

This policy establishes the requirements and procedures for assessing and managing student transfer requests. It ensures MIC complies with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and the National Code 2018 – Standard 7, while supporting students' educational interests and welfare.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All international students enrolled at MIC on a student visa, and

All staff involved in the management of student enrolments and transfers.

It covers transfer requests made during the Transfer Restriction Period, as well as transfers after the Transfer Restriction Period, incoming transfers and concurrent enrolment of a student’s principal course.

3. Definitions

Term	Definition
Principal Course	The final course in a packaged offer.
CoE	Confirmation of Enrolment issued via PRISMS.
PRISMS	Provider Registration and International Student Management System.
Compassionate or Compelling Circumstances	Circumstances beyond the student’s control that impact their ability to continue the course.
Transfer Restriction Period	The period at the start of an overseas student’s principal course with their current (releasing) provider during which another registered provider must not knowingly enrol them unless an exception under National Code Standard 7.1A applies. Its length is set by National Code Standard 7.1: six months of the principal course (temporarily twelve months until 30 June 2027 — see the Temporary Addendum).
Releasing provider / Receiving provider	The registered provider the student is transferring from / the registered provider the student is transferring to.

4. Legislative References

This policy is guided by the following:

ESOS Act 2000

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 – Standard 7

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students Amendment (Overseas Student Transfers) Instrument 2026 (F2026L01351) — temporary, to 30 June 2027

Standards for RTOs 2025

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

5. Policy Statement

MIC is committed to supporting the rights of international students to transfer between education providers in a manner that is transparent, student-focused, and fully compliant with legislative requirements under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 – Standard 7.

This policy outlines the principles, conditions, and procedures under which international students may request to transfer:

To another registered provider, either during or after the Transfer Restriction Period of their principal course of study

From another registered provider, subject to eligibility and documented evidence, including where a release is granted or exemptions apply

Within MIC , to another course or program, where the transfer is educationally justified and does not breach student visa conditions.

In alignment with Standard 7, MIC will:

Not knowingly enrol a student from another provider who has not completed the Transfer Restriction Period of their principal course unless (National Code Standard 7.1A):

The releasing provider or course is no longer registered

A government sponsor supports the transfer

A sanction affects the student’s ability to continue

A release has been granted and recorded in PRISMS

Implement and make available a documented policy and process for assessing transfer requests (National Code Standard 7.2), clearly outlining:

Student responsibilities, including written requests and submission of a valid Letter of Offer

Situations in which transfers will be approved in the student’s best interests, such as:

Documented compassionate or compelling circumstances

Misleading conduct by an agent or provider

Failure of course delivery

Poor academic progress despite intervention

Mismatch between course and student expectations

Favourable outcome of an appeal

Circumstances under which a transfer may be refused, such as:

Unresolved support issues

Financial arrears

Lack of genuine academic or personal justification

Ensure decisions are made within 15 working days, communicated in writing, and include reasons and advice on accessing MIC’s Feedback, Complaint and Appeal Policy

Not charge a fee for issuing a release and advise the student to contact the Department of Home Affairs to determine if a new visa is required

Not finalise any refusal in PRISMS until:

The student has chosen not to appeal within 28 calendar days (or 20 working days, whichever is longer)

The appeal process is complete and the outcome supports refusal

The student withdraws from the appeal process

Maintain complete records of all transfer requests, decisions, and supporting documentation for a minimum of two (2) years after the student ceases to be an accepted student at MIC.

6. Step-by-Step Procedure Tables for Transfer Requests

A. Transfer Request to Another Institution – Within the Transfer Restriction Period

International students must not be granted a transfer before completing the Transfer Restriction Period of their principal course, unless one or more permitted exceptions under National Code Standard 7.1A apply. A transfer is not automatic and is assessed strictly on an exception basis only.

Revised Process – Transfer Request Within the Transfer Restriction Period

Step	Action	Responsibility	Guidance/Compliance requirements
1	Confirm restriction status	Admin Officer	Confirm, from the principal course commencement date in PRISMS, whether the student has completed the Transfer Restriction Period (see the Temporary Addendum). If it is completed, follow Process B instead.
2	Advise student of restriction	Admin Officer	Advise the student in writing that transfers within the Transfer Restriction Period are restricted and will only be considered if a National Code exception applies.
3	Obtain Letter of Offer	Student	Must be from a CRICOS-registered provider and for a course at the same or higher AQF level, unless justified.
4	Complete Transfer Request Form	Student	Form must include detailed reasons for requesting transfer within the Transfer Restriction Period.
5	Attach supporting evidence	Student	Mandatory evidence if claiming an exception (e.g. medical reports, welfare concerns, compassionate or compelling evidence). Requests without evidence will not be assessed.
6	Submit transfer request	Student	Submit completed form and all supporting documents to the International Office.
7	Acknowledge receipt	Admin Officer	Acknowledge receipt in writing within 5 working days, advising that assessment is exception-based.
8	Preliminary compliance check	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	Confirm whether the request meets at least one National Code exception (e.g. welfare risk, compassionate or compelling circumstances, provider unable to deliver course as agreed).
9	Detailed assessment	Compliance Manager	Assess against: National Code 2018 Standard 7 Academic progression Student welfare and safety Evidence credibility Student’s best interests Risk of visa non-compliance
10	Decision making	Compliance Manager	Decision must be made within 15 working days. Transfers must be refused if no valid exception applies.
11	Notify student of outcome	Administration Officer	Approved: issue written release, update PRISMS within required timeframes. Refused: provide written reasons, appeal rights, and confirm PRISMS will not be updated until appeals are finalised.
12	Appeals (if applicable)	Student	Student may lodge an appeal under the Complaints and Appeals Policy within 28 calendar days (or 20 working days, whichever is longer).
13	Finalise PRISMS (if approved)	Compliance Manager	Update PRISMS only after appeal period has concluded or appeal outcome is finalised.
14	Record keeping	Admin Officer	Retain all records, evidence, decisions, and correspondence for minimum 2 years.

B. Transfer Request to Another Institution – After the Transfer Restriction Period

Step	Action	Responsibility	Guidance/Details
1	Obtain Letter of Offer from receiving institution	Student	Required for all external transfer requests.
2	Complete Transfer Request Form	Student	Form available at Reception or International Office.
3	Attach supporting documents	Student	Include offer letter, transcripts, any personal or medical documentation.
4	Submit request	Student	Submit full application to International Office.
5	Assess application	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	Evaluate based on attendance, academic progress, and valid reasons.
6	Decide on outcome	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	Must decide within 10 working days.
7	Notify student	Administration Officer	Inform student in writing.
8	PRISMS update	Admin officer/ RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	If approved, update PRISMS for release.
9	Appeals	Student	Follow MIC Complaints and Appeals Policy.
10	Finalise and record	Admin Officer	Keep all documentation and update student record.

C. Transfer Request from Another Provider to MIC

Step	Action	Responsibility	Guidance/Details
1	Apply to MIC	Student	Submit application form + all required documents.
2	Provide CoE	Student	If the student is within the Transfer Restriction Period at their current provider, a release recorded in PRISMS (or another Standard 7.1A exception) is mandatory.
3	Attach supporting documents	Student	Includes transcripts, reason for transfer, ID, etc.
4	Assess application	Admin Officer	Confirm eligibility, evaluate academic history and document.
5	Make decision	Admin Officer/ RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	If approved, proceed with next steps.
6	Issue CoE	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	If accepted, issue CoE to finalise transfer and enable visa update.
7	Notify student	Admin Officer	Provide outcome via email and/or letter.
8	Appeals (if needed)	Student	Lodge as per Feedback, Complaint and Appeal Policy.
9	Recordkeeping	Admin Officer	Retain full documentation securely.

D. Internal Course Transfer – Within MIC

Step	Action	Responsibility	Guidance/Details
1	Complete Course Transfer Form	Student	Form available at Reception.
2	Provide supporting documents	Student	Academic transcript, attendance report, reasons for transfer.
3	Get Academic Department sign-off	Student	Approval from new course coordinator.
4	Submit full application	Student	Submit to International Office.
5	Assess application	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	Check course suitability, space availability, and visa implications.
6	Make decision	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	Must finalise outcome within 10 working days.
7	Update enrolment	Admin Officer	Issue new CoE if required.
8	Inform student	Admin Officer	Send written notice of decision.
9	Appeals	Student	Use internal grievance process.
10	Record update	Admin Officer	Document changes in SMS and retain evidence.

E. Concurrent Enrolment – Additional Course (Optional Study)

Step	Action	Responsibility	Guidance/Details
1	Complete the Concurrent Enrolment Declaration	Student	Explains why they seek concurrent study and names their principal provider and course.
2	Sign the declaration	Student	Confirms they hold a current CoE for the principal course, have completed the Transfer Restriction Period of it (or an approved exception applies), and are committed to attendance and progression in it.
3	Assess application	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	Ensure new course doesn’t conflict with visa or principal course requirements, based on the student’s signed declaration.
4	Approve concurrent study	RTO Manager/ Compliance Manager	If compliant, issue CoE for additional course.
5	Recordkeeping	Admin Officer	Record the decision and the signed declaration in the student’s aXcelerate portfolio. Document and monitor student’s primary course progression.

7. Related Documents

Course Transfer Request Form

Concurrent Enrolment Declaration

PP16-Feedback, Complaint and Appeal Policy

International Student Handbook

PP12-Student Support Services Policy

PP34-Data Privacy and Record Keeping Policy

PP49 – Course Progress Policy

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 – Standard 7

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

PRISMS Provider User Guide

Department of Education Concurrent Enrolment Guidance

The complete MIC Policy and Procedure Manual is available on request from [email protected].

Questions about this policy? Email [email protected] or call +61 3 7048 4870.

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