Maximum duration of an APA
Conditions for reduced duration
Conditions for increased duration
Extensions
Change in student load status
Suspension
Transfer to another provider
Change of degrees
Termination of an APA
Provision of False Information
Maximum duration of an APA
The maximum duration of a full-time Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) is:
- three years for a Research Doctorate
- two years for a Research Masters.
The maximum duration of a part-time APA is:
- six years for a Research Doctorate degree
- four years for a Research Masters degree.
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Conditions for reduced duration
The duration of your APA will be reduced by any period where you:
- already started your research degree prior to receiving the APA, or
- defer your APA.
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Conditions for increased duration
The duration of an APA will be increased by any periods of:
- paid maternity leave
- additional sick leave
- parenting leave.
An increase in the duration must be approved by the higher education provider (provider).
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Extensions
If you are a Research Doctorate student you may get an extension of up to six months.
Your provider will approve an extension only if:
- you are making satisfactory progress
- the grounds for the extension are related to study and are due to circumstances beyond your control.
Example: Medical condition.
No extension is available for Research Masters students.
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Change in student load status
If you change from a part-time student load to a full-time student load then the duration of the APA will be re-calculated as follows:
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
The duration for which you have already received a part-time APA will be halved
|
| 2 |
Remaining duration = Maximum duration – (result of step1)
|
If you change from a full-time student load to a part-time student load then the duration of the APA will be re-calculated as follows:
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
The duration for which you have already received a full-time APA will be doubled
|
| 2 |
Remaining duration = Maximum duration – (result of step1)
|
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Suspension
Apply to your provider if you wish to suspend your scholarship. Your provider will make the final decision on your request.
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Transfer to Another Provider
If you are receiving an APA from one provider and decide to transfer to another, then you may be able continue to receive your scholarship. This is possible only if your new provider agrees to its continuation.
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Change of degrees
You may continue to receive your APA if you change from a:
- Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree, or
- Research Doctorate degree to a Research Masters degree.
If you complete your Research Masters degree and start studying for a Research Doctorate degree then you may continue to receive your APA. Your APA will continue only if:
- there is no gap between the completion of your Masters and the start of your Research Doctorate degree, or
- you defer your APA during any gap between degrees.
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Termination of an APA
Your provider will terminate your APA if you:
- cease to meet the ongoing eligibility criteria
- are found guilty of serious misconduct
- cease to be a full-time student and have not been approved for a part-time APA, or
- fail to maintain satisfactory progress as required by your provider.
Exception: Your APA has been suspended.
If your APA is terminated, it cannot be reactivated unless the termination was an error.
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Provision of False Information
Please be aware that providing false information to gain an APA is a criminal offence.
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