Deferment

What does deferment mean?

Deferment as used by UAC means that you have received an offer to enrol in a course but have been given permission by the institution to delay the start of the course for a fixed period, which is usually six months or one year.

This means that if you receive an offer to study in 2009 and defer for one year, you will start your studies in 2010. All deferments are granted subject to the course being offered the following semester or following year.

Deferred DFEE students From 1 January 2009 undergraduate domestic fee-paying (DFEE) courses are no longer being offered*. However, students who were offered a place in a DFEE course in 2008 and deferred until 2009 will be able to commence their studies on a fee-paying basis in 2009. Information about enrolling in a deferred DFEE course will be available from the institution. Deferred DFEE students who wish to apply for other courses in 2009 must apply either direct to their institution or through UAC. *There are some exceptions, including arrangements for continuing and deferred students, for students who enrol in employer-reserved places and for students who have consumed their Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

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Who can defer?

It depends on the institution. Some institutions grant deferment only in special circumstances - read Who can defer - table 6.

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How do you defer?

When you receive an offer to enrol in a course, information included with your offer will explain how to apply for deferment.

Most institutions will ask you to provide a statement to explain why you wish to defer and what you will be doing during this period.

If your application for deferment is successful, you will receive written confirmation of your deferment from the institution concerned. This will also give instructions on how to re-apply for your deferred course.

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How do you secure your deferred place?

It is important to check with your institution for information about taking up your deferred place. Generally, to take up your enrolment you must submit a new application with UAC (except for Australian Catholic University, Australian National University, Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University, University of Canberra, University of New England, University of New South Wales, University of Newcastle and University of Wollongong), include the code of your deferred course on your UAC application and supply all your supporting documentation again.

Courses may change from year to year so you must find the current UAC course codes and information about the courses the institutions are offering.

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Do you have to pay to defer?

Some institutions charge a fee when you defer – read who can defer - table 6. When you re-apply through UAC to commence your deferred course, you must pay the relevant UAC processing charge and late fees (if applicable).

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Can you apply for other courses when you re-apply?

Yes. If you were granted deferment but would like to be considered for other courses, then put these courses ahead of your deferred course in your list of preferences.

If you receive an offer to a course that you put ahead of your deferred course, then your deferred offer is no longer valid.

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Can your offer lapse?

Yes. There are two circumstances when your deferred offer can lapse.
• When you re-apply, if you receive an offer to a course you have placed ahead of your deferred course, your deferred offer will lapse. You cannot receive an offer to a new course and still retain your deferred offer.
• If you undertake degree studies or certain levels of TAFE study other than HSC courses during your deferment year, your offer may lapse. Check with each institution to ascertain specific policies.

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