Major Changes to Australia’s Student Visa Rules from 2 October 2026

Legislative update — 12 October 2026: The National Code amendment (F2026L01351), commencing 2 October 2026, generally requires non-school international students to complete 12 months of their principal course before transferring to another provider, subject to specified exceptions.

This temporary restriction applies until 30 June 2027; from 1 July 2027 the period returns to six months. The proposed separate Student visa transfer arrangements for mid-2027 are not yet requirements enacted by this instrument.

Official source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L01351/asmade

Australia has introduced significant changes to the Student visa (subclass 500) program from 2 October 2026. The reforms affect people who are already in Australia and want to apply for another Student visa, as well as applicants who want to include partners or dependent children in their application. If you are planning to study in Australia, extend your studies or change your study pathway, it is important to understand how the new rules may affect you before enrolling in a course or lodging a visa application.

Most Student Visa Applications Must Now Be Lodged Offshore

From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants are required to be outside Australia when they lodge their application. This is particularly important for temporary visa holders who may previously have planned to move onto a Student visa while remaining in Australia.

Current Student visa holders are also more restricted in their ability to lodge another Student visa application while in Australia. Only applicants who meet specific exemption criteria can apply onshore. Where an applicant is required to apply offshore, they must also be outside Australia when the Student visa is granted. Lodging an application in Australia when the applicant is required to be offshore can result in the application being invalid.

Further Student Visas and Course Progression

The new rules also affect international students who want to obtain another Student visa while remaining in Australia. Most current Student visa holders can no longer simply apply for another Student visa onshore.

Limited exemptions are available, but the exact legislative criteria for onshore applications are narrow. Onshore lodgement is generally restricted to specific circumstances such as continuing a PhD, needing up to 12 months to complete an existing course with the same provider, or progressing to a higher Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level under strict conditions, alongside other situations like course completion or provider default. Sideways or downward course-hopping is effectively blocked.

This means students considering further study should carefully check their visa eligibility and course level before committing to a new enrolment.

New Restrictions on Including Family Members

There have also been substantial changes to the rules for partners and dependent children. Most Student visa applicants can no longer include family members in their Student visa application unless an exemption applies.

Limited exemptions are available for certain applicants, including some PhD students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students, foreign government scholarship recipients, and eligible students from Pacific countries and ASEAN member countries. Where an exemption applies, family members generally need to apply at the same time as the primary Student visa applicant and from the same location.

Subsequent Entrants Are No Longer Available

One of the most important changes is the removal of the Student visa subsequent entrant pathway. From 2 October 2026, Student visa holders can no longer add a partner or dependent child later as a subsequent entrant after the primary Student visa has been granted. There are no exemptions to this rule. For prospective students with partners or children, family arrangements should therefore be considered carefully before the initial Student visa application is lodged.

Changes to Education Provider Transfer Rules

From 2 October 2026, Australia introduced stricter transfer restrictions for international students under the National Code of Practice 2018.

Most international students, excluding school students, must complete at least 12 months of their principal course before transferring to another education provider, unless an exemption applies.

This temporary restriction remains in effect until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, the restriction will return to six months.

Students may be permitted to transfer earlier in certain circumstances, including where their current provider approves their release, the provider ceases operating, or an eligible government sponsor supports the transfer.

Students should also consider whether changing courses or providers affects their Student visa conditions or requires a new visa application.

What About Applications Lodged Before 2 October 2026?

Student visa applications lodged before 2 October 2026 will continue to be assessed under the rules that applied when the application was lodged. This includes applications that already included eligible family members.

What Should Students Do Now?

The Student visa framework has become more restrictive, particularly for people already in Australia who are considering further study or another Student visa. Before enrolling in another course, paying significant tuition fees or making travel arrangements, applicants should first determine whether they are permitted to lodge their Student visa application in Australia, whether they must leave Australia before applying, whether they must also be offshore when the visa is granted, whether they meet an exemption allowing an onshore application, and whether a partner or dependent child can be included in the application.

An incorrectly lodged application may be invalid and can have significant consequences for a person’s immigration status.

Need Help With Your Student Visa?

Every applicant’s circumstances are different. If you are considering studying in Australia, applying for another Student visa or are unsure how the new rules affect you, Chin & Co Migration Agency can assess your circumstances and provide professional migration advice.

This article provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Australian migration law and policy can change, and individual circumstances should be assessed before making immigration, enrolment or travel decisions.