Students and graduates
Australia’s student visa rules: what changed from 2 October
Student visa reforms now affect onshore applications, family inclusion and provider transfers. Here are the changes in force from 2 October 2026.
What to know
- New rules for Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) applications took effect on 2 October 2026.
- Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa while in Australia; current Student visa holders face tighter conditions for further onshore applications.
- Most Student visa applicants can no longer include partners or dependent children unless an exemption applies, and subsequent entrants cannot be added after grant.
- Until 30 June 2027, non-school students are generally required to remain in their principal course for 12 months before transferring education providers, up from six months.
- Applications lodged before 2 October continue under the rules in place when lodged; applicants required to apply offshore must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
What changed from 2 October
New rules apply to Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) applications. The Department says the reforms change who can apply for and be granted a visa while in Australia, and whether family members can be included.
The changes are aimed at genuine study and narrower pathways for extending a stay through successive temporary visas. They do not remove the ability to apply for a Student visa when a person meets the requirements.
Applying from inside Australia
Most temporary visa holders—including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders—can no longer apply for a Student visa from within Australia. Current Student visa holders seeking another onshore Student visa must demonstrate genuine course progression, and limited exemptions apply, including for some school and PhD students and people affected by provider default or course deferral.
The right location to apply depends on the visa held and the applicant’s circumstances. If Home Affairs requires an offshore application, the applicant must also be outside Australia when the Student visa is granted. An application lodged in Australia when offshore lodgement is required is invalid; an offshore application does not provide a linked Bridging visa.
Including a partner or dependent child
Most Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent child unless an exemption applies. Home Affairs identifies limited exemptions for groups such as PhD students, government-sponsored students, and eligible students from Pacific and ASEAN countries.
Students can no longer add family members as subsequent entrants after the Student visa is granted. A limited arrangement allows eligible Student visa holders applying for a further onshore Student visa to include family members who are already in Australia; the detailed criteria should be checked before lodging.
Changing education providers
As an interim rule until 30 June 2027, non-school students generally need to remain in their principal course for 12 months before seeking a transfer to another education provider, up from six months. Exceptions remain for exceptional circumstances and where a provider or course ceases to be registered.
The Government says a new Student visa transfer stream is planned from 1 July 2027. The 12-month interim setting applies now and should be checked alongside the student’s enrolment and visa conditions.
What applicants should check
Before lodging, travelling, changing courses or making financial commitments, check the current Home Affairs guidance for the correct application location, any exemption, family eligibility and grant-location requirements. If an application was lodged before 2 October 2026, Home Affairs says it will be assessed under the rules that applied on the lodgement date.
These changes affect different people in different ways. Confirm the current criteria for your own visa and circumstances before acting.