Australia's new student visa restrictions, announced on 17 September, took effect on 2 October 2026. A further change to provider transfers follows on 1 July 2027.
Applying from inside Australia
Most temporary visa holders in Australia, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore. Students applying for another Student visa must show genuine progression in their studies. School students, PhD students and students affected by a provider closing or a course deferral are exempt.
Bringing your family
Onshore applicants can include only family members who are already in Australia, and adding family members later ("subsequent entrants") is no longer possible for any student. Similar limits apply to Temporary Graduate visas. PhD students, nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries and government-sponsored students are exempt.
Changing provider
Until 30 June 2027, students outside school must complete 12 months of their main course, instead of six, before transferring. From 1 July 2027 a new transfer stream starts: the new visa must be granted before studying with the new provider, transfers are allowed only to the same or a higher qualification level, and students who came for higher education can no longer move to vocational (VET) study onshore.
Key points
- From 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders cannot switch to a Student visa onshore.
- Family can only be included if already in Australia; adding them later is no longer possible.
- 12 months in your main course before changing provider (until 30 June 2027).
- From 1 July 2027: a new transfer visa stream, same or higher level only.
Choose your course and provider carefully before you travel, and plan from the start whether your family will come with you: both are much harder to change later.
Source
- Australia student visa restrictions take effect October 2026Erickson Immigration Group · Oct 23, 2026
Written by the Study and Work Abroad team in our own words from the sources above. Rules change often: before you apply, ask us to check the current rules for your case.
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