Course & Subject Enrolment Basics
What is enrolment?
Enrolment is the process by which you select and register for subjects in a particular study period.
You may make changes or withdraw from a subject(s) in accordance with the key dates for each study period.
Please note that applying for and being admitted to a course is different from enroling in subjects! After you are admitted, you must enrol in subjects each study period to maintain your place in your course.
Your guide to planning and selecting subjects and classes
There are 2 steps to making sure you plan your studies and course.
Step 1: Plan your studies
Understand your course, plan your year, plan your trimester
Step 2: Select your subjects
Enrol in your subjects for the study period
The basics
Enrolment checklist
Fees policies
Understanding key dates
Course credit & RPL
Changing your enrolment
Changing your details
Student ID card
Student email
Enrolment & subject selection support
The Student Engagement Team can assist with questions about choosing subjects, timetable changes, taking leave or withdrawals.
Student Services and Student Finance on-campus can assist with subject selection, general administration enquiries, finance and fees, student ID cards or change of details.
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You can also contact us via Live Chat, phone or email.
Enrolment checklist
Make sure to give us your current address!
Please don’t use any University academic or administrative areas as your home or mailing address.
Home address: You need to provide your residential home address—no PO Boxes allowed. If you're a temporary resident in Australia, your home address must be an overseas one.
Mailing address: If you're a permanent resident or Australian citizen, you don’t have to enter a mailing address unless you want your mail from the University sent somewhere other than your home address. Once you’ve entered a mailing address, make sure to keep it up to date. If you're a temporary resident in Australia, you must provide an Australian mailing address.
Billing address: Only provide a billing address if you want your University invoices sent somewhere other than your home or mailing address. This address will appear on your invoice. If someone else, like an employer, sponsor, or your parents, is paying your fees, it's up to you to send them the invoice, either by post or electronically.
Telephone numbers: It's super important to keep your phone number up to date. You can add, change, or delete any phone numbers as needed.
Emergency contact: We need to know who to contact in case of an emergency. This could be a parent, guardian, relative, or a close friend—someone local, interstate, or even overseas.
TCSI Reporting: The University is legally required to collect information for the Commonwealth Government, so it's important to make sure the info you provide is accurate. Any details we already have will be displayed, so just double-check and update them if needed.
Need to update your details? Change of details form - Torrens University | Change of details form - Think Education
Read the Privacy Policy.
Your USI (Unique Student Identifier) is your individual education number for life and is required by the Australian Government to complete your course.
Learn more and find out how to add a USI to your student account.
The University is dedicated to giving all students the right support and services. If you have any specific needs, please let us know by filling out this section. If you'd rather talk to someone directly, feel free to contact us - we're here to help!
This shows the current fee status we have on record for your course(s).
How do I check my fee status?
In the Student Portal, under the Student Finance menu, Click on 'Account Summary by Term'.
In the Description column, you will see the fee payment type (e.g. International Tuition Upfront, Domestic FEE-HELP).
You will only be able to see this after you have enrolled in at least one subject.
Status types
International students should double-check that their fee status is listed as 'International.
Domestic fee-paying students might be able to apply for FEE-HELP by completing the Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form. You can easily complete both the HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP forms online by selecting the right options on your screen.
If you’re a Commonwealth Supported student, don’t forget to fill out the Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP form. This includes eligible New Zealand Citizens and Permanent Residents who are enrolling as Commonwealth Supported students. If you’re enrolling in more than one course, you’ll need to complete a form for each one where you have Commonwealth Support.
Conditions of enrolment
At Torrens University Australia, we understand the financial commitment our domestic students make, and we're here to support you throughout your education while ensuring your rights are protected under Australian law.
This policy covers everything related to domestic student fees, including how fees are collected, managing student loans like FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP, and VET Student Loans (VSL), and how refunds or re-credits of your HELP/VSL balance are handled.
Domestic Fees Policy - Torrens University
Domestic Fees Policy - Think Education
At Torrens University Australia, we understand the financial commitment international students make, and we're here to support you throughout your education while protecting your rights under Australian law.
This policy covers everything related to international student fees, including how fees are collected and refunded, with a focus on fairness, transparency, and compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and other important regulations.
This policy aligns with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and other relevant guidelines to ensure compliance and support for our international students.
International Fees Policy - Torrens University
International Fees Policy - Think Education
Understanding Key Dates
Each study period has key dates that impact your fees liability and subject grades.
| Key date | Explanation |
|---|---|
|
International Financial Liability Deadline |
The deadline for an international student to finalise enrolment for the study period, after which financial liability will be incurred. Subject fees are due as per the date on your invoice. Effective from September 2024. Remember – you must study full time. |
|
Enrolment Change Deadline |
You can add subjects, change subjects, or change class times using the online subject selection tool. For trimesters, this is the end of week 2. |
|
Census Date (Domestic) |
This is the deadline for domestic students to withdraw from a subject without financial or academic penalty. For trimesters, this is the end of week 3. For shorter terms, this is during week 2. |
|
Academic Withdrawal Date |
This is the deadline for you to withdraw from a subject without academic penalty. If you withdraw from a subject by this date, you will still have to pay the fees, but you won’t receive a Fail grade. Instead, your transcript will show “Withdrawn Not Fail”. |
|
Withdrawal Deadline |
This is the deadline for you to withdraw from a subject. If you withdraw from a subject by this date, you will still have to pay the fees, and your transcript will show “Withdrawn Fail”. |
|
Results Release Date |
Your results will be finalised by Examination Committee and published in your Student Portal on this date. It is usually 2 weeks after the end of the study period. |
Course Credit & RPL
We’re committed to helping you build on what you already know, whether it’s knowledge from previous courses or skills gained through real-life experiences.
Our goal is to ensure you don’t need to repeat learning you’ve already completed, wherever or however you gained it.
Find out more about how to apply for course credit or recognition of prior learning by reviewing the policies and procedures.
Changing your enrolment
Your student visa is granted for the length of your course, and the University will keep an eye on your progress to make sure you're on track.
Sometimes, though, there are valid reasons why you might not finish within this timeframe. If you need to extend your visa, the University will look at your situation to see if you’re eligible for an updated Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Keep in mind, if you haven’t maintained a full-time study load or passed all your subjects, you might not be approved unless there are extenuating circumstances.
You may decide that you want to enrol in a different course that better suits your career/study goals.
Students applying for a transfer must satisfy the admission criteria for the course for which they are applying as per the Admissions Policy (including consideration of whether the course has available places at a particular location and/or is being taught out due to academic changes).
Torrens University
Think Education
A leave of absence (LOA) is a temporary break from your studies where you stay enrolled at the university but don’t attend classes or take part in academic activities. It’s usually for a set period, up to one year, and after that, you're expected to return and continue your studies.
- Torrens University - Application for Leave of Absence
- Think Education - Application for Leave of Absence
Returning from Leave of Absence
When you return from your leave, depending on how long you are away, remember that your course might have changed or been discontinued during your time off. The University will work with you to figure out the best way forward according to the rules and policies.
If you choose not to take a leave of absence, or do not wish to transfer to another course, you may decide to withdraw from your course completely.
Please check the key dates is the Enrolment Policy, for deadlines by which you can vary their enrolment with or without academic and/or financial liability.
- Torrens University - Withdrawing from a Course Procedure
- Think Education - Withdrawing from a Course Procedure
- Course Withdrawal Form (on MyHub)
Before proceeding, please review the Enrolment Policy and the International Student Study Load Reduction Procedure on the Torrens University Australia website. Keep in mind that depending on when you apply for a reduced study load, you could still be liable academically and financially. To avoid any penalties, make sure to apply at least 14 days before the start of the study period.
Students need approval to take on more than a 1.5 equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL). Keep in mind that taking on extra subjects may impact your workload and require more time to keep up with all your subjects during the study period. Also, note that a study overload won’t be accepted as a reason for any assessment changes, like extensions, exam deferrals, or adjustments to assessment results. It also can't be used as grounds for appealing any interventions or penalties due to poor academic progress.
If you decide not to continue with the study overload after getting approval, make sure to withdraw from the extra subject before the relevant deadlines—census date for domestic students, and 14 days before the study period for international students and domestic students in non-HELP/VSL courses—to avoid any academic or financial penalties.
According to the Enrolment Policy:
- A full-time domestic student must maintain a minimum study load of 0.75 EFTSL or more. A part-time student has a study load of 0.74 EFTSL or below.
- International students must maintain a minimum study load of 1 EFTSL or above.
- Any load above 1.5 EFTSL needs approval from the Program Director to ensure you have a reasonable chance of success.
Forms
- Torrens University - Application for Study Overload
- Think Education - Application for Study Overload
Changing your details
University policy requires you to enrol under your full legal name and verify your citizenship and identity.
Your legal name must be used by the University for specific purposes such as reporting to Australian and state government bodies and in official statements.
Your legal name must also match what is recorded on your:
- International visa
- USI
- FEE-HELP/VET Student Loan (domestic)
Your legal details will appear on official University documents, such as your testamur, academic transcript and student card, and display in some of our systems.
If you have changed your legal name, you can request to have this updated on your student record using the 'Change of Details' form
You must attach supporting documents with your request, as stated on the form, such as:
- Registered Marriage certificate
- Change of Name Certificate - issued by the Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the applicable state or territory
- Driver’s Licence
- Passport
Please refer to the form for the further information about supporting documents.
- Torrens University - Change of Details
- Think Education - Change of Details
It is important we have the correct information for you in case we need to contact you.
Mailing address and phone number:
Update these in your Student Portal by going to the Personal Information > Addresses and Phones section.
Note: the address listed as Mailing Address is the address where you are currently living.
Personal email and other addresses - submit a completed 'Change of Details' form to Student Services for all other changes.
- Torrens University - Change of Details
- Think Education - Change of Details
HECS-HELP & FEE-HELP
Request for Commonwealth Support and HECS-HELP
If you’re a Commonwealth Supported student, you’ll need to complete a Request for Commonwealth Support form for each program you're enrolled in. Before filling out the form, make sure to read the Commonwealth Supported Students booklet, which you can find at StudyAssist, or grab a hard copy from Ask Adelaide at Hub Central, North Terrace Campus, to understand your obligations.
After submitting the form, you’ll get a receipt number and the option to print it. It’s a good idea to print it now since this is your only chance to do so. If you don’t print the form, be sure to write down your receipt number.
Request for FEE-HELP Assistance
FEE-HELP is a loan that helps eligible students cover their tuition fees. If you’re a domestic student applying for FEE-HELP, you’ll need to complete this form for each program. Before starting, read the FEE-HELP Information booklet at StudyAssist
Study Assist has more information about financial and study support.
Once you submit the form, you’ll receive a receipt number and the option to print it. We recommend printing it now, as this will be your only chance. If you decide not to print, make sure you note down your receipt number.
Important:
You’ll need to provide your Tax File Number (TFN) to complete the form.
If you don’t have a TFN yet, but have applied for one, it’s a good idea to get a certificate from the Australian Taxation Office.
You must provide either your TFN or the certificate before the census date. If you don’t, you won’t be eligible for FEE-HELP and will need to pay your full tuition directly to the University.
Unique Student Identifier
Your USI (Unique Student Identifier) is your individual education number for life and is required by the Australian Government to complete your course.
You need a USI if you are:
- undertaking Nationally Recognised Training
- a higher education student seeking Commonwealth financial assistance (eg a FEE-HELP loan)
- a higher education student graduating in 2023 or beyond
- Go to the USI Registry System, and have a valid form of ID ready.
- Agree to the terms and conditions (if you have previously agreed to the terms and conditions, you might not see this step).
- Select 'Create USI'.
- Select your evidence of identity document (see the types of ID you can use).
- Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your form of ID.
If the name you use for business or official purposes is not the name on your form of ID, you can choose to enter this in the preferred name field. - Enter your contact details, including at least two contact methods.
- Confirm your identity. The USI Registry System will check and confirm your identity using the ‘Documentation Verification Service’ (DVS).
- Secure your account with a USI password and check questions.
If you have studied anything within Australia since 2015 you may already have a USI.
There are 4 ways to help you retrieve your USI if you can’t remember it. They are:
- Email address you might have registered with originally
- Mobile number and date of birth
- Personal Details and Check Questions
- Personal Details and an ID Document
Once you have your USI, you can provide it to us via the Student Portal.
- Log into the Student Portal using your student email credentials.
- Go to the 'Personal Information' section and click on 'Unique Student Identification'.
- Enter in your USI number into the box provided and select 'Continue'.
- A confirmation message ‘Thank you, your USI has been saved’ will be displayed.
This will upload your USI into your student information system against your enrolment record.
Studying in Australia
International students who have entered Australia to study must obtain a USI to graduate from their course.
To create a USI, you will need to have been issued with an Australian Visa from customs. If you have yet to be issued with an Australian Visa, you will not be able to create a USI with your non-Australian issued passport.
Studied in Australia but since left the country
If you started your course after 1 January 2023, you will need a USI to be eligible for course completion.
Studying outside of Australia
International students who study with us, and who undertake all study offshore online, are not required to have a USI.
USI Exemptions
Higher education international students are automatically exempt from needing to have a USI if they meet ALL the criteria below:
- they studied with an Australian education or training provider in Australia
- they did not access Commonwealth financial assistance for their studies
- they commenced their studies before 1 January 2023
- they are currently offshore and will not return to Australia.
Source: International Students - Exemptions from the USI. To apply for an exemption, visit the USI website.
Your student ID card
Why do I need an ID card?
- to identify yourself as a student - you must carry it all times when on campus
- for after hours building access - check your campus page for opening hours
- use the printers, scanners or photocopiers
- borrow from the library
- confirm your identity when undertaking on-campus exams
- transport concession in some states (refer to your campus page for details)
- get student discounts or concession tickets
- your photograph
- campus
- full name as per your student record
- study mode
- student number
- expiry date (usually your expected course end date)
You can visit Student Services at your nearest campus and request a student ID card. Drop in or book at time.
If visiting your campus is not an option we can mail one to you, however campus security access will not be included. Please email Student Services and include:
- your full name, student number and postal address (this must be the mailing/postal address on your student account)
- a high-resolution, passport style photo
A replacement student card is an expired, lost, damaged, stolen or faulty student card that needs to be replaced. Your card may have expired because you're a recently-graduated student commencing a new course, or your student card expiry date has passed before you have completed your current course.
- Lost cards incur a replacement fee ($15-$20 as per your Letter of Offer).
- Faulty or damaged cards must be handed to Student Services on-campus before a new one can be issued.
- Expired cards will be replaced at no cost.