Change my project details
Change my project details
During your candidature, you may want to make changes to your research project. This will require you to apply for minor changes or a more significant change, such as a change in the direction or focus of your research.
A minor change is simply a change to what is recorded on your student record, such as:
- thesis title wording
- Fields of Research codes.
A significant change in the focus of your research would normally require:
- an increase in the time you need to submit your thesis
- a change in the resources you need (eg facilities or supervisor expertise).
A request to make a significant change to your research will need to be considered carefully, as it may have implications on the progress of your research. If the change may lead to your thesis not being completed by your maximum course duration, or requires resources that cannot be provided, then your request may not be approved.
Study in areas of Critical Technology
If you are an international candidate with a student visa issued after 1 July 2022, you may have additional visa obligations before changing your project.
If you wish to change your project into a new or different area of critical technology, you must obtain approval from the Minister of Home Affairs. This can be done by completing the online form on the Home Affairs Critical Technology website
You will need to attach confirmation of this approval to your change of project application.
If your current project is no longer feasible, discuss alternate projects which do not involve a new or different area of critical technology with your advisory committee.
Please note, you do not have to seek approval for a project you commenced before 1 April 2024.
If you are not sure whether this applies to you, speak with your supervisor first.
Before you apply
You should discuss any significant changes to your research project with your advisory committee (includes your supervisors). Together, you will be able to determine what impact the change may have on the successful and timely completion of your thesis, and if any potential new resources you may need would be available.
If you are changing minor details, you should discuss what Fields of Research codes are appropriate for your study area.
Apply to change project details
Note: To apply you must complete the online 'Request Change In Project Details' form.
If you already had started a form previously, please return to the form by clicking the green button below:
Return to already started form
If you need to create a new form, please click on the blue button below:
Apply to change project details
Application process
- Step 1
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Submit the ‘'Request Change In Project Details' form
- Step 2
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Receive the automated system email – this acknowledges your application has been submitted
- Step 3
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Your request is assessed by the principal supervisor
- Step 4
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If your request may result in a delay in your thesis submission, or the resources you need, you request is assessed by the head of department
- Step 5
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If approved, your request is processed
- Step 6
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Receive the automated system email – this delivers the outcome of your application
How to get help
Get technical help
Follow these steps to get help if you are having an issue with the online 'Request Change In Project Details' form.
- See a list of known technical issues, and how to get around these
Get technical help - If you cannot see your technical issue in the list above, or if you are having issues with your username or password, contact Stop1.
How to cancel a form
To learn how to cancel forms that you have submitted by mistake and need to withdraw; or if you have a list of started forms that you do not intend to submit for approval, click on the button below.
Get other form help
If you have a question about filling in the online 'Request Change In Project Details' form, or your degree details on the form are not correct, contact your local graduate research administrator.
Get advice
If you need more information about making changes to your project details, you can talk to:
- your supervisors
- your advisory committee chair
- your local graduate research administrator.
My application is approved – what's next?
For a minor change, you don’t need to do anything else. Your student record is now a more accurate record of your research project.
For a more significant change, you may want to discuss the following points with your supervisors:
- How much of a delay to expect with the change, and how to catch up or stay on track towards a timely submission of your thesis.
- If you have already confirmed your candidature for your previous research project, what steps you might want to take to validate your new research project (eg the timeline/research plan is feasible, the scope is appropriate, the research is a novel contribution to your field).
- The appropriate use of any new resources (eg a new lab, a new archive or databases).
If this change included a change to your supervisors, you should discuss your and your supervisors’ roles and responsibilities soon after their appointment. It is good to have a clear understanding of what is expected of you, and what you should expect from your supervisors. We recommend that you read our Working with my supervisors page, and use the Supervisory Agreement as part of your discussions .
How to get advice
If you need more information about your approved change of research project details, you can talk to:
- your supervisor
- your local graduate research administrator.