At Pilates ITC, we know that study sometimes needs to fit around a lot of competing demands. If you're finding it difficult to keep up, a deferral may not always be the only option.

Before pressing pause, we encourage you to contact us so we can look at whether another support option may help you continue progressing.

Depending on your course and circumstances, this might include:

• reviewing your study approach or schedule;

• accessing Adult Learning Tips and other study support resources;

• using Ask an Educator for learning, coursework, assessment or Work Placement questions;

• contacting Student Support for help with administration, scheduling, LMS access or course planning;

• for undergraduate Blended Students, exploring whether a Change of Cohort may be appropriate;

• for postgraduate Students, reviewing your individual Course Training Plan and scheduled learning arrangements; or

• accessing other support options available through your course.

If, after considering these options, taking a temporary break is still the right choice, this policy explains how deferral works.

This policy explains the process, conditions and support available when requesting a temporary deferral from a Pilates ITC course.

It applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate Students and to both Blended and Online study modes.

The general deferral rules are the same across undergraduate and postgraduate study, although the way your return to study is scheduled may differ depending on your course structure.

• Deferral: A temporary approved pause in your Pilates ITC enrolment.

• Current-Pathway Deferral: A deferral requested after a scheduled undergraduate pathway has commenced and where re-entry into a future scheduled delivery point may be required.

• Course Training Plan: The individual training and scheduled learning plan used for postgraduate Students.

• Extenuating Circumstances: Significant circumstances outside your reasonable control that may affect your ability to continue studying, such as serious illness, injury, family responsibilities or other substantial personal circumstances. Supporting evidence may be required.

• Maximum Course Duration: The maximum timeframe available to complete your course or pathway.

This policy applies to:

• undergraduate Students enrolled in Blended or Online study modes;

• postgraduate Students completing the 11333NAT Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method or an associated Advanced Pathway;

• Students seeking a temporary pause in their enrolment; and

• Pilates ITC Team members responsible for considering and administering deferral requests.

Unless otherwise stated, the following conditions apply to both undergraduate and postgraduate Students:

• you may be approved for up to two deferral periods during your enrolment;

• the total standard deferral period may be up to 6 months;

• in exceptional circumstances, a total deferral period of up to 12 months may be considered;

• approval beyond the standard allowance is at Pilates ITC's discretion and may require supporting evidence;

• a Deferral Fee applies in accordance with the current Fees Schedule;

• your deferral is not confirmed until you receive written confirmation from Pilates ITC; and

• your enrolment, LMS access, assessment activity and Work Placement are paused during the approved deferral period.

Deferral is designed to temporarily pause your existing enrolment. It is not a new enrolment or a restart of your course.

For undergraduate Students studying in the Blended study mode, your course includes scheduled in-person training such as Course Delivery Days, Teaching Clinics and Practical Assessments.

Your deferral therefore needs to consider both your enrolment pause and the availability of suitable future scheduled training dates.

You may request a Blended deferral where:

• you remain within your allowable number and duration of deferrals;

• suitable future course dates are available;

• you meet the relevant notice requirements; and

• your enrolment remains otherwise eligible to continue.

Where possible, requests should be made at least 31 days before the commencement of the relevant scheduled pathway or Orientation.

If your scheduled pathway has already commenced, deferral will generally only be considered where extenuating circumstances apply.

Your request may be assessed against factors such as:

• your course progress;

• the stage of your current pathway;

• the circumstances affecting your participation;

• availability of an appropriate future re-entry point;

• your Maximum Course Duration; and

• whether another option may be more appropriate.

Supporting documentation may be required.

For undergraduate Students studying in the Online study mode, there is no need to align your return with a scheduled in-person cohort.

If approved, your enrolment is paused for the agreed period and resumes at the end of your deferral according to your revised enrolment timeline.

The standard deferral limits and conditions apply.

Postgraduate Students are not allocated to traditional cohorts.

Instead, your postgraduate enrolment follows an individual Course Training Plan, which may include scheduled services such as Course Intensives, Study Halls, Personalised Supervision Meetings for Blended Students and other course-specific activities.

If you defer from a postgraduate course or Advanced Pathway, your entire enrolment is paused for the approved period.

This may affect:

• LMS access;

• assessment submissions and outcomes;

• Work Placement activity;

• scheduled Course Intensives;

• Personalised Supervision Meetings where applicable;

• other scheduled postgraduate learning or support services; and

• your Course Training Plan.

When you return, Student Support will review your Course Training Plan and reschedule applicable services according to:

• your revised enrolment timeline;

• course progression;

• Educator availability;

• applicable course requirements; and

• your Maximum Course Duration.

Postgraduate Students do not use the undergraduate Change of Cohort process.

Once your deferral is confirmed:

• your LMS access is paused;

• your course progression is formally paused;

• you cannot submit new assessments;

• new assessment outcomes will not generally be processed during the deferral period;

• Work Placement is paused and should not be recorded as course Work Placement during the deferral;

• scheduled course services may be cancelled or rescheduled;

• your payment arrangements will be paused or amended in accordance with your approved deferral; and

• your enrolment timeline will be updated.

For postgraduate Students, this includes pausing course-related Work Placement even if you continue working professionally during your deferral.

Your normal professional teaching may continue, but activities completed while your Pilates ITC enrolment is formally deferred should not be assumed to count towards postgraduate Work Placement unless Pilates ITC has specifically confirmed otherwise.

Before your approved deferral period ends, Pilates ITC will provide information about recommencing your studies.

Depending on your enrolment, this may include:

• revised course dates;

• an updated payment schedule;

• reactivation of your LMS access;

• recommencement of Work Placement;

• upcoming assessment requirements; and

• any other steps needed to resume your studies.

Your return may need to align with an appropriate future Course Delivery or Teaching Clinic schedule.

Where your original delivery pattern is no longer available, Student Support will discuss the options available.

Your course generally resumes at the end of the approved deferral period according to your revised enrolment timeline.

Student Support will review and update your Course Training Plan.

Any postponed Course Intensives, PSMs or other scheduled services will be rearranged where applicable and subject to Educator availability and your revised course timeline.

You will receive confirmation of your return arrangements before recommencing.

A Deferral Fee applies according to your study mode. Refer to the current Fees Schedule.

The fee covers the administration associated with pausing and revising your enrolment.

Where applicable:

• payment arrangements are updated as part of the deferral process;

• payments due before the deferral is formally approved may still be processed;

• an amended payment plan may be issued for acceptance; and

• your existing payment arrangement remains in place until your deferral is formally confirmed.

If you're experiencing financial hardship, contact Student Support so we can discuss the appropriate available process.

Let us know that you're considering a deferral and explain your circumstances.

We may first discuss whether another support or scheduling option could help you continue without pausing your enrolment.

Student Support will consider:

• how many deferrals you have already used;

• the total deferral time already taken;

• your current course progress;

• your Maximum Course Duration;

• scheduled learning requirements;

• whether extenuating circumstances apply; and

• for postgraduate Students, your current Course Training Plan.

If a deferral appears appropriate, you will be asked to complete the relevant Deferral Request Application.

Supporting evidence may be required, particularly where:

• you have exceeded the standard deferral allowance;

• you are requesting an extended deferral;

• an undergraduate pathway has already commenced; or

• extenuating circumstances form part of your request.

Incomplete applications may delay or prevent approval.

If your request is conditionally approved, you may receive:

• an invoice or payment link for the applicable Deferral Fee;

• an updated enrolment timeline;

• an amended payment plan; and

• information about your anticipated return arrangements.

For postgraduate Students, detailed rescheduling of individual services may occur closer to recommencement where necessary.

Where a revised payment plan or other documentation is issued, you will generally have 7 days to complete the required action unless otherwise advised.

Until this is completed, your existing enrolment and payment arrangements remain in effect.

Your deferral is only confirmed once you receive a Confirmation of Deferral from Pilates ITC.

Do not assume your course, payments or scheduled training have been paused until this confirmation has been issued.

In exceptional circumstances, Pilates ITC may consider a deferral period beyond the standard 6-month allowance, up to a maximum total of 12 months.

This may require:

• supporting documentation;

• review of your course progress;

• consideration of whether your course can still be completed within an appropriate timeframe;

• review of future course or Educator availability; and

• approval by the appropriate Pilates ITC Manager.

Approval is not automatic and will be considered individually.

Pilates ITC may decline a deferral where:

• you have already reached the maximum allowable deferral period;

• there is insufficient information to support the request;

• required documentation has not been provided;

• there is no viable pathway for you to recommence and complete the course;

• your Maximum Course Duration or other course requirements prevent the proposed arrangement; or

• another enrolment process is more appropriate.

If a deferral cannot be approved, Student Support will discuss the next available options with you.

Approved deferral time is generally added to your enrolment timeline in accordance with the terms of the deferral.

However, a deferral does not provide unlimited additional time to complete your course.

If you later require further time beyond your revised Maximum Course Duration, the Course Extensions Policy and Procedure will apply.

If you're considering a deferral, we encourage you to contact us before completing an application so we can talk through your circumstances and the available options.

Our Student Support Team can help you understand how a deferral would affect your course, payment arrangements, scheduled learning and return to study.

Visit our Contact Us page for current contact details.

This policy aligns with the Standards for RTOs 2025, specifically:

Clause 1.4: You're supported to complete your training through flexible arrangements and access to student support services.

Clause 1.7: You're actively involved in decisions that affect your training and assessment experience.

Clause 1.8: You receive clear, timely, and easy-to-understand information so you can make informed choices throughout your learning journey.

Clause 3.6: Your training and assessment arrangements are designed to be flexible and responsive to your individual needs.

Clause 5.1: Any changes to your training or support—like deferrals—are managed fairly, transparently, and with your wellbeing at the centre.

Clause 5.2: If you’re ever dissatisfied with how a deferral or enrolment change has been handled, you can access our Complaints and Appeals Policy for support.

 Disclaimer: This Policy / Procedure when printed, this becomes an uncontrolled document. 

Policy# P-COU-047

Version Control Table