Enrolling and the Southern Cross Model

This new academic model allows students to focus on just one or two subjects at once, over a six-week teaching term, before moving on. This enables deeper learning as well as more control over when you study allowing you to create the ideal life balance.

It’s the future of study, with flexibility built-in.

Find out how the Southern Cross Model can work for you.

Enrolling as a full-time student

To enrol successfully you will need to understand your course progression in line with teaching periods in the University’s annual teaching calendar, including placements or other special requirements of your course. A small number of placements, research units and project-based units will be scheduled during Dual or Tri Term Calendars. See the Course Progression page for more information.

The key dates for Terms, Dual and Tri Term calendars can be found Key Dates / Teaching Calendar page.

I am a domestic student

Students seeking Youth Support or Austudy Allowance

• To retain full-time status under the Southern Cross Model, students will need to undertake a full-time load which is defined as 75% of a normal study load for Services Australia payments.
• For courses that are a year or more in duration, to retain full-time status under the Southern Cross model, students will need to undertake six units over the course of the year, with at least three units of enrolment across the first half of the year (Terms Summer to 2) and at least three units of enrolment across the second half of the year (Terms 3–5).
• For courses that are six months in duration, to retain full-time status, students will need to enrol in at least three units in either the first or second half of the year.
• Students enrolled in a course that is a year or more in duration, and undertaking at least six units across the year, can take a maximum break of two Terms and remain eligible for Services Australia payments.
• Austudy and Youth Allowance payments are also contingent on other eligibility criteria.

Full-time enrolment examples for domestic students

Below are some examples of study progressions for students to remain eligible to retain full-time status with six units only:

Example 1

Jerome enrols in a Bachelor of Business and Enterprise at Southern Cross and applies for Youth Allowance. Jerome wants to complete units in the following structure, and before study commences on 1 March 2021 Jerome enrols in 4 consecutive Terms.

As SCU has allowed Jerome to enrol in this period at the same time, and considers this period to be a single period of enrolment, the combined Equivalent Full-Time Study Load (EFTSL) can be aggregated. The total credit point weighting for this period is 72 (at least 75% of the full-time study load of 96 for the academic year).
Jerome meets all the other criteria for Youth Allowance, and Jerome’s payment will start on the first day of Term 2. Assuming Jerome remains enrolled, Jerome will be paid until at least the end of Term 5. Jerome’s ongoing entitlement to payment will be determined when Jerome advises enrolment intentions for the next academic year.

Example 2

Jerome will continue his study in 2022, and enrols again in terms 1, 2, 3, 4. However, Jerome does not want to complete as many units in Term 4, and will pick up an extra unit in Term 5. SCU allows Jerome to enrol in all intended 2022 study at the same time. Jerome’s enrolment for 2022 is as follows:

Jerome is advised his Youth Allowance can be paid to uninterrupted from the end of 2021 study until the end of his 2022 study because Jerome is enrolled: 

• across the academic year in 2022 and
• in at least 75% of the EFTSL for the academic year, and
• there is less than 21 weeks between the last day of study in 2021, and the first day of study in 2022.

Example 3

Charlotte enrols in a Bachelor of Business and Enterprise at SCU and applies for Youth Allowance. Charlotte wants to complete units in the following structure, and before her study commences on 1 March 2021, Charlotte enrols in 2 of the 6 terms.

Charlotte’s claim for Youth Allowance is rejected because Charlotte is only enrolled in 50% EFTSL.

Before Term 2 starts, SCU allows Charlotte to add units in Summer Term as follows:

Charlotte’s claim is reassessed and granted because Charlotte is now enrolled:

• in at least 75% EFTSL for the academic year
• in study periods separated by gaps shorter than 21 weeks.

I’m an international onshore student

If you are an international student visa holder you must satisfy certain visa conditions such as completing studies within the time set out in your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and in compulsory teaching periods. Compulsory teaching periods are Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4 and any teaching period where a mandatory placement, research or project-based unit is scheduled. International students must enrol in these study periods unless granted a deferment, suspension from enrolment or leave of absence.

To ensure you comply with your full-time study visa condition and the Course Progress and Completion Within Expected Duration of Study Policy you must enrol in eight units (96 credit points) over the six Terms. The maximum number of units per Term is two (24 credit points). The minimum enrolment per Term is one unit (12 credit points) in a compulsory study period.

Depending on unit availability and your intake, you can plan your study so that you can have a lighter load in some terms, and have study breaks during Term 5 and/or Summer Term. You may also be able to study up to 12 units (144 credit points) in a year and accelerate your completion.

Full-time enrolment examples for international students studying in Australia

International students studying in Australia are required to study full-time. The following examples all meet the full-time requirements.

What’s the weekly study time you need to allow when enrolling in your units?

Maximum 2 units per term. 20–25 hours per unit, maximum total study time 50 hours per week.