02/10/2026
🇦🇺 IMPORTANT: Australian Student Visa Changes – From 2 October 2026
New rules apply to Student visa (subclass 500) applications.
📌 Applying in Australia: Most affected temporary visa holders must now be outside Australia when they lodge their Student visa application and when the visa is granted.
🎓 Current Student visa holders: If you are applying for another Student visa, new rules also apply. Some exemptions may allow you to apply in Australia, including certain students progressing to a higher-level course, PhD students and students who need additional time to complete their current course.
👨👩👧 Family members: Student visa applicants can generally no longer include their partner or dependent children in their application, unless a specific exemption applies.
🚫 Adding family later: Family members generally cannot be added to a Student visa after it has been granted.
📄 Existing applications: Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the rules that applied when they were lodged.
⚠️ These changes include important exemptions, so your eligibility will depend on your current visa, course and personal circumstances.
👉 Read our full blog to understand the changes and who may be affected:
Australia’s Student visa rules change from 2 October 2026, affecting onshore applications, further Student visas and bringing family members to Australia.
