“LEAVE OF ABSENCE” CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS

BEFORE DEPARTING AUSTRALIA

LEAVE OF ABSENCE PAPERWORK
 Submit a “Leave of Absence” form and any supporting documentation, such as a medical
certificate, counsellor’s report or death certificate to your International Student Advisor (ISA).
If supporting documentation is not available before you leave, you must provide this document
by _______________ (date) to ______________________ (name of ISA). If the International
Student Advisor does not receive it by this date, your enrolment at Griffith University will
be cancelled and you will have to apply for readmission and a new CoE and student visa.
 It may be possible for you to remain onshore during leave of absence. Check with your
International Student Advisor.
 If applicable, submit a “Request to withdraw after the census date due to special circumstances”
form, with required documentation and letter, to Student Administration (undergraduate students and
postgraduate students) at the Student Centre – Nathan (N54), Mt Gravatt (M06), South Bank QCA (S03),
South Bank QCGU (S01). Access the form at: https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/student/student-forms
 Complete a “Request for Refund of Fees” form, and give to your International Student Advisor if
applying for withdrawal after the census date. If compassionate withdrawal is approved, your
tuition fees will be refunded. Please see information about the refund of OSHC below.
You may leave the credit in your student account as payment towards your tuition fees when you
return to studies, if you wish.
If you aren’t applying for withdrawal after the census date, have credit in your student account
and require a refund, submit the form direct to the International Office (N12).
OVERSEAS STUDENT HEALTH COVER (OSHC)
 If applying for cancellation before the end of Week 4, the OSHC charge will be refunded. If
remaining in Australia, you must pay for OSHC cover for the whole semester direct to your
Health Provider yourself. Having no health cover will contravene the conditions of your
student visa.
 If applying for cancellation after Week 4, you will be liable for the OSHC charge.
 If a “Request to withdraw after the census date due to special circumstances” is
approved, the OSHC charge will not be refunded.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
 Book your flight and notify your family of your arrival date.
 If you have excess baggage, arrange freight overseas.
 Give your itinerary to your family and/ or friends.
AT UNIVERSITY
 Update your overseas mailing address through the Griffith Portal at:
https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/student/current-students before you leave Australia.
 Pay any outstanding student fees and charges, e.g. Library fines or student loans.
 If you think you’ll need one, order an Official Academic Transcript at the Student Centre
– Nathan (N54); Mt Gravatt (M06); South Bank QCA (S03); South Bank QCGU (S01).
 Return all library books.

HOUSEHOLD
 If terminating your lease, visit Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) website for
information and relevant forms. Depending on the type of accommodation you have, the
following information might not be applicable. Then,
o Inform your landlord/agent of your intention to leave the accommodation and pay any monies owing.
Complete the Notice of intention to leave - form 13 (RTA website) and give to the landlord/agent.
Keep a copy of the form for your record.
o Arrange an exit inspection time with the landlord/agent and complete the Exit Condition Report
(general tenancies) - form 14a (RTA website). You sign and get the landlord/agent to sign. Keep a
copy of the form for your record.
o Arrange for you and the landlord/agent to sign a Bond refund - form 4 (RTA website) and send to the
RTA. Keep a copy of the form for your record.
o If you have any difficulties terminating your lease or getting your bond back, contact:
 The Welfare & Student Liaison Officer at Student Services
Tel: Nathan 3735 7470; Mt Gravatt: 3735 5669; South Bank QCA
3735 3143; South Bank QCGU 3735 6344
 Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service - Brisbane Southern Suburbs
(Acacia Ridge) Tel: 3277 7583 or email: taas2@arcsi.org.au
 The Tenants Union of Qld Tel: 3257 1108
 Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) Tel: 1300 366 311 or website:
www.rta.qld.gov.au
 Arrange the sale of any items you’re not taking home or donate them to other international
students.
 Arrange for a final reading and disconnection of electricity, gas and telephone, and pay any
monies owing.
 Arrange with friends to collect your mail and forward it to you - Australia Post does not
redirect mail overseas.
FINANCIAL & BANKING
 Pay any outstanding medical bills and submit claims to your Health Insurance provider.
 Close bank accounts, if applicable.
 Complete and submit a taxation return to the Australian Taxation Office, if you’ve been
working.

BEFORE RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA

 Check with your nearest Australian Embassy/High Commission to ensure your visa is current.
 Contact Griffith International Compliance to ask for a new CoE – this is necessary as your CoE
dates will need to be altered because of your time away from study.
Do this 4 weeks before you return to Australia, or if in Australia, 4 weeks before you begin
classes.
 You will receive a letter from Student Administration about enrolling for the next semester.
Check your program structure and course choices at: www.griffith.edu.au/programs-courses,
and enrol for the semester in which you are returning.
If you are unsure about course choice or program structure, contact Student Administration.

AFTER RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA

 If you’re on probation and/or your GPA is below 3.0 (undergraduate degree) or 3.5 (postgraduate
degree), you should make an appointment with your International Student Advisor when you
return to study to speak about your study load and support available to you.

CONTACT DETAILS:
International Student Advisors
  
Natane Halasz Vicki Roberts Liz Wright
Tel: +61 7 3735 7949 Tel: +61 7 3735 3799 Tel: +61 7 3735 7200
Fax: +61 7 3735 6646 Fax: +61 7 3735 6646 Fax: +61 7 3735 5280
Email: n.halasz@griffith.edu.au Email: v.roberts@griffith.edu.au Email: e.wright@griffith.edu.au

Address: International Office, Nathan campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan
Qld 4111 Australia
International Office
Tel: +61 7 3735 7200 Compliance Officer
Fax: +61 7 3735 5280 Tel: +61 7 3735 4262
Email: international@griffith.edu.au Fax: +61 7 3735 5280
Email: compliance@griffith.edu.au
Student Administration
For any study queries for all campuses, visit website:
http://griffith.custhelp.com/app/answers/list and you can email from here, if necessary.
Telephone + 61 7 3735 7700 for all undergraduate, postgraduate and Research Higher
Degree queries at all campuses.