Change my current supervisors
Changing current supervisors
As your research project progresses, your supervisory panel might need to change. If this happens, you can request to make changes to your current advisory committee (includes your supervisors).
If your new principal supervisor is in a different department, see Change of department.
You can view your key milestone date including expected thesis submission date, supervisors and other candidature details on the landing page when you log in to my.unimelb and click on the Student Admin then Graduate Research tab. Once you have reviewed your details – follow the instructions in the Apply to change supervisor section.
Who can supervise me?
Supervisors need to be suitably qualified and experienced to be registered. The Supervisor Eligibility and Registration Policy describes the eligibility for University of Melbourne staff and staff external to the University to supervise graduate researchers.
External supervisors
You or your advisory committee may suggest to add an externally based expert to your advisory committee.
All external supervisors must be registered with the University. If the expert is not already registered with the University, a request needs to be submitted to get them added to the external supervisor register. More information is available on the Apply to change supervisors or advisory committee members tab on this page.
If your supervisor isn't working out
Before you submit a request to change your supervisor, make sure you've read about how to work effectively with your supervisors. You should also read about what to do if your supervisor isn't working out for you. Lastly, check the University's Graduate Research Training Policy.
Apply to change supervisors or advisory committee members
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:
Note: the online form you will use to apply for a change of supervisor is the 'Request Change In Project Details' form.
To avoid delays with processing your request, please make sure that you include the contribution percentage of each supervisor (as discussed with your principal supervisor and advisory committee) when completing the form.
Supporting documentation (for adding an external supervisor only)
If you wish to add an external supervisor who is not yet approved by the University, supporting documentation is required. You or your supervisor should request the following documentation from the external supervisor:
- a completed External Supervisor Agreement
- a copy of their CV.
Please note: If you are enrolled in a jointly awarded PhD the University requires a completed External Supervisor Record (Joint Award) form only.
Once your external supervisor has supplied the required supporting documentation, your local graduate research administrator will need to submit it for approval.
Application process
- Step 1
- Seek agreement from all members of your current advisory committee for the change
- Step 2
- Submit the 'Request Change In Project Details' form
- Step 3
- Receive the automated system email – this acknowledges your application has been submitted
- Step 4
- Request is assessed by principal supervisor and head of department
- Step 5
- Receive the automated system email – outcome of application
- Step 6
- Automated system email to all new and removed supervisors – advising application has been processed
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 changing your supervisor, you can talk to:
- your supervisors
- your advisory committee chair
- your local graduate research administrator.
My application is approved – what's next?
You should discuss early in your candidature what your and your supervisors’ roles and responsibilities are. 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 Supervision Agreement as part of your discussions.
How to get advice
If you need more information about your approved change of supervisor/s, you can talk to:
- your supervisors
- your advisory committee chair
- your local graduate research administrator.