1. Before you withdraw

When you withdraw from a course or program, there can be academic, financial and visa consequences.

The date you withdraw determines if you are financially liable for a course and if there are any academic penalties.

If you are having trouble undertaking your studies, you may be eligible for help, including extensions on assessment, or deferred or supplementary examinations.

If you are experiencing overwhelming health or personal problems, you should consider withdrawing immediately to avoid unnecessary penalties that may result from delaying your decision.

For more general advice:

Domestic students

As a domestic student you don’t need approval from the University to withdraw from your program - you can simply drop your courses through mySI-net.

If you are dropping one or more courses make sure you understand how this will impact on your progression in your program.

In either case, before withdrawing:

  • Consider deferring or interrupting your studies. If you are withdrawing from your program before passing any courses, you will lose your place and will have to re-apply for admission.
  • Speak to someone from Centrelink if you receive Austudy, ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance or other payments from the Australian Government.
  • If you hold a UQ scholarship, check your scholarship terms and conditions as reducing your study load or withdrawing altogether from your program will most likely impact on your scholarship.

International students

Withdrawal from one or more courses may affect student visa eligibility. If you are on a student visa, you should seek advice from your faculty before taking any action to withdraw from a course or program.

We also strongly recommend contacting the Department of Home Affairs. Changing your study load can affect your student visa.

If you want to transfer to another education provider in Australia but haven't yet completed the first 6 calendar months in your program, you must meet certain criteria to be approved for release from UQ. Read the Transfer of Provider – Overseas Students Procedures before applying. 

Once you’ve spoken to your faculty and you intend to withdraw from your program, submit the online form below:

Apply online to withdraw

Submit a request to withdraw from your program.

Remember if you are withdrawing after census date you remain liable for fees in that semester, and if you are withdrawing before census date in your first semester of enrolment, an administrative charge for late cancellation of enrolment will apply.


Request now

We are required by law to notify the Department of Home Affairs when an international student withdraws from their program. If you are in Australia on a student visa, you will have 28 days to:
  • leave Australia
  • enrol in an alternative program, or
  • apply for a different visa.

If you choose to leave Australia, your student visa may be cancelled.

HDR students

HDR students can withdraw online.

Withdrawing won’t stop you applying for re-admission at a future date. 

Please note there are no academic penalties for HDR students who withdraw and you do not need to repay your scholarship.

In the sections on this page, 'financial liability' and 'financial consequences' strictly refer to fees.