A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a mandatory document for the Australian student visa (Subclass 500). It is issued by your education provider (university, vocational college, or secondary school) and certifies that you have been enrolled in an approved CRICOS course. Without a valid CoE, you cannot lodge a Subclass 500 application. This guide explains what a CoE is, how to obtain it, and what happens if your course changes.
What is a Confirmation of Enrolment?
A CoE is an official document issued by an Australian education provider on behalf of the Department of Education. It confirms that:
- You have been accepted and enrolled in a specific CRICOS-registered course.
- The course details (name, code, duration, start date, end date).
- Your tuition fees (total cost and any payment arrangements).
- Your enrolment is contingent on meeting certain conditions (e.g., meeting English-language requirements, final qualifications verification).
The CoE is submitted as part of your Subclass 500 visa application. Home Affairs uses the CoE to verify that your course is accredited and that your proposed study aligns with your student visa conditions.
What does a CoE contain?
A typical CoE includes:
- CoE number — a unique identifier issued by the education provider.
- Student details — your full name, date of birth, country of citizenship, passport number.
- Course details:
- CRICOS course code (8 characters, e.g., “088120D”).
- Course name (e.g., “Master of Business Administration”).
- Level of study (secondary school, diploma, bachelor, master, doctoral, etc.).
- Campus location.
- Study load (full-time or part-time; must be full-time for student visa).
- Duration (e.g., 24 months).
- Commencement date.
- Expected end date.
- Fees:
- Total course fees (in Australian dollars).
- Any fees already paid or deferred.
- Payment schedule (if applicable).
- Conditions:
- Academic conditions (e.g., “achievement of required English-language score”).
- Other conditions (e.g., “completion of prerequisite courses”).
- Issuing provider — the education provider’s name, ABN (Australian Business Number), and signatory.
When do you receive a CoE?
The timing varies by provider and intake:
| Timing | Situation |
|---|---|
| 6–12 weeks before course start | Most universities and vocational colleges issue CoEs in bulk before the teaching period begins (e.g., in December for February/March intake, or in June for July/August intake). |
| After final exam or qualification verification | Some providers require you to submit final qualifications (school exam results, diploma certificates) before issuing the CoE. If you are still awaiting results, the CoE may be issued conditionally pending results. |
| On payment of deposit or full fees | Some providers require a non-refundable deposit (e.g., A$5,000) or full tuition payment before issuing the CoE. |
| Up to 2 weeks before course start | If you are enrolling late or switching intakes, the provider may issue the CoE closer to the start date. |
Tip: Contact your education provider’s international student office to confirm when they will issue your CoE. Do not wait for the CoE to arrive; ask them proactively for an estimated date.
How to obtain a CoE
Step 1: Receive an offer letter
Your education provider sends you an offer letter confirming your conditional or unconditional admission to the course. The offer will specify any conditions you must meet before enrolment (e.g., submission of final exam results, English-language test, vaccination proof).
Step 2: Accept the offer
Reply to the offer letter, typically via the provider’s online system (student portal) or email. The provider will guide you through the acceptance process.
Step 3: Meet the conditions (if any)
If your offer was conditional, gather and submit the required documents:
- Final school or university transcripts (e.g., high school exams, bachelor degree results).
- English-language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc., if required).
- Vaccination proof (COVID-19, if applicable; check provider requirements).
- Police clearance certificate (if required by the provider or for certain countries).
Step 4: Confirm enrolment or pay fees
Some providers require you to pay a deposit or full fees, or to confirm your enrolment via their online portal. Check your offer letter for the provider’s specific requirements.
Step 5: Receive the CoE
Once the provider confirms that all conditions are met and enrolment is finalised, they will issue your CoE electronically. You will typically receive it as a PDF via email. Some providers also mail a printed copy.
Understanding CoE conditions
CoEs often include conditions that you must satisfy before commencing study:
- English-language condition: “Must achieve IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) before commencing.”
- Qualification condition: “Must provide certified copy of school certificate before starting.”
- Health condition: “Must undergo tuberculosis screening and provide clearance.”
If you do not meet a condition by the course start date, the provider can cancel your CoE, which will also trigger cancellation of your student visa if you have already been granted one.
What happens if your course changes?
If you need to change your course after receiving a CoE (e.g., switching from a master’s degree to a postgraduate diploma), you must:
- Request a new CoE from your education provider. The provider will issue a new CoE with updated course details (course code, duration, fees, start/end dates).
- Notify Home Affairs via ImmiAccount that your course has changed. You may need to lodge a new visa application or request a variation to your current application, depending on the extent of the change.
- Update your OSHC (health insurance) if your course duration has changed.
Important: A course change does not automatically update your visa. If the new course is at a lower level (e.g., bachelor to diploma) or in a significantly different field, Home Affairs may cancel your student visa and require you to lodge a new application. If the new course is at a similar or higher level, you may be able to apply for a variation onshore.
CoE cancellation
Your provider can cancel your CoE if:
- You fail to pay fees or meet payment arrangements.
- You do not meet enrolment conditions by the specified date.
- You formally withdraw from the course.
- You breach a serious condition (e.g., attendance requirement, academic performance).
If your CoE is cancelled, Home Affairs will automatically cancel your student visa (or any issued bridging visa) unless you have obtained another visa beforehand. If you are in Australia on a student visa and your CoE is cancelled, you will have limited time to depart or to secure another visa. See au-visa-conditions-8202-8105-8501.md for condition 8202 (maintaining enrolment).
CoE and visa lodgement
You cannot lodge a Subclass 500 application without a valid, unconditional CoE. If your CoE is still conditional at the time of lodgement, Home Affairs will not issue a visa until the conditions are satisfied. If the conditions are not met by a specified date, your application may be refused or your visa cancelled.
Multiple CoEs (changing courses mid-year)
If you complete one course and wish to enrol in another (e.g., bachelor → master, or diploma → bachelor), you must obtain a new CoE from the new provider. Some providers allow you to switch courses within the same institution (e.g., from one master’s to another) via a course variation rather than a new enrolment. Check with your provider.
If you are already in Australia on a student visa and wish to enrol in a new course at a different provider:
- Obtain a CoE from the new provider.
- Request a variation to your current student visa (onshore application).
- Or, if the new course is at a significantly different level, lodge a new student visa application.
See au-visa-transition-school-uni-postgrad.md for guidance on transitioning between study levels.
CoE validity
A CoE is typically valid for the duration of your course plus a grace period (often 7 days before the course start date and 7 days after the expected end date). If you do not commence your course within the period specified on your CoE, the CoE may expire and be cancelled by the provider.
FAQ
Q: Can I apply for a student visa before receiving my CoE? A: No. A valid CoE is a mandatory requirement. You must have the CoE in hand before lodging your Subclass 500 application.
Q: Can I lodge my visa application before my CoE conditions are fully met? A: You can lodge with a conditional CoE, but Home Affairs will not issue a visa until the conditions are satisfied. It is best to wait until the CoE is unconditional.
Q: What if my CoE is issued after I have already lodged my visa application? A: Contact Home Affairs via ImmiAccount and upload the CoE. Your application will then be assessed based on the valid CoE.
Q: Do I need a separate CoE if I am bringing a dependent child who is also studying? A: Yes. Each student (including dependent children) must have their own CoE from their respective education provider.
Q: Can I work without a CoE? A: No. You must have a valid, current CoE to maintain your student visa. Without a CoE, your visa may be cancelled.
Q: What if my provider issues the CoE but it contains wrong information (e.g., incorrect course code)? A: Contact your provider immediately and request a corrected CoE. Do not submit an incorrect CoE to Home Affairs, as this could lead to refusal or cancellation.
Q: How long does a CoE take to process once I accept my offer? A: Processing times vary, but most providers issue a CoE within 2–4 weeks of offer acceptance. Contact your provider for an estimate.
Q: What if my course is deferred (moved to a later semester)? A: Your provider will issue a new CoE with an updated start and end date. Your visa will need to be updated to reflect the new course dates.
Sources
- CRICOS: cricos.deewr.gov.au
- Student visa (Subclass 500): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-visa-500
- ImmiAccount: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/immiaccount
- PRISMS: prisms.deewr.gov.au
Last reviewed: April 2026. Visa rules and charges change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.