The Australian Government requires that all research higher degree candidates are enrolled as internal students. Unlike undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, PhD and MPhil candidates cannot enrol as external students.

However, the University recognises that candidates who live a substantial distance from their principal place of University study do not always have the same type or frequency of access to school and University resources (including advisory contact). Thus, domestic candidates whose place of residence is more than 250km from their principal place of University study may be granted remote status by their school/institute. International students may not reside that far from their place of study while they hold a student visa, so the only international students who may be granted remote status are those who are living overseas.

Remote status must be approved by the school/institute, and recorded using the Remote Candidature page on mySI-net. When remote,

• the candidate and the advisory team must maintain satisfactory contact (by email, telephone, or in person);
• the candidate must have access to all necessary facilities (such as equipment, library resources, and the like); and
• the candidate must continue to make satisfactory progress with your research.

Not all research projects can be conducted on a remote basis: the school/institute should not approve remote status if these conditions cannot be met. In addition, schools and institutes may have local policies regarding remote status. For example, it may be a school/institute requirement for remote candidature that there is a suitably-qualified local associate advisor, so that the candidate can continue to meet in person with a member of the advisory team.

There is a University-wide requirement for candidates to attend their principal place of University study for a minimum period of time over the total period of your candidature: the default period is 9 weeks, but a larger period may be set by the school/institute on a case-by-case basis. The school/institute updates the Remote Candidature page on mySI-net when the candidate attends their principal place of University study and when they resume remote status.

The University expects that remote candidates will attend the University from time to time to obtain library materials, to consult with their advisory team, and to undertake other relevant activities within their school. The University Library provides remote access to its catalogue and databases as well as electronic journals and Internet services. However, remote candidates will need access locally to appropriate computer hardware and software and will need to obtain training from the Library. Detailed information on the services available can be obtained by contacting the University Library.

International Tuition Fees for Remote Candidates

International candidates pay a reduced tuition fee if they are recorded as remote at the mySI-net Remote Candidature page on the Census Date for the Semester (31 March for Semester 1, 31 August for Semester 2).