02/10/2026
๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐: ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐จ๐๐๐ก๐ง ๐ฉ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ๐ฎ ๐ข๐๐ง ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
โ๏ธ There are new rules for current Student visa holders who want to apply for another Student visa while in Australia.
โ๏ธ Unless you meet limited exemption criteria, you will now need to be outside Australia when you lodge your application. You must also be outside Australia when your visa is granted.
โ If you hold a Student visa as a dependant and want to apply for a Student visa as the primary applicant, you must lodge your application from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted. There are no exemptions to this rule.
โ๏ธ The changes do not affect your current Student visa.
โ๏ธ Current Student Guardian (subclass 590) visa holders can continue to lodge a further Student Guardian visa application while in Australia.
๐ฅ Exemptions โ๏ธ
๐ฏ Lodging in Australia if you hold a temporary visa other than a Student visa
๐บThere are no exemptions to the rule if you hold an affected temporary visa.
๐บYou can only apply from outside Australia and you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
๐ฏLodgiโng in Australia if you currently hold a Student visa
If are a Student visa holder, you may be able to apply for another Student visa in Australia if you:
๐บneed up to 12 more months after your original course end date to complete your studies. You must be continuing to study with the same education provider. If you have a package of courses, the course you need more time to complete must be your main course.
๐บare sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or Defence
๐บare applying to study a PhD Degree
๐บare applying to do primary or secondary school studies
๐บhave completed your main course that has an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and are progressing to a course at a higher AQF level*.
๐บhave completed your school studies and are progressing to a course that does not have an AQF level
๐บhave completed a course that does not have an AQF level and you are progressing to a course that does have an AQF level
๐บcannot continue your course because your education provider has defaulted.โ
โโ*Note: If you completed a higher education course, your next course must also be a higher education course delivered by a higher education provider.
๐ What you need to do
๐ค Applicants
Before making visa, travel or financial plans, enrolling in another course or applying for a Student visa:
๐น Check whether you must be outside Australia to apply or whether an exemption applies to you.
โ๏ธ Leave Australia before lodging if you cannot apply onshore.
๐ If you must apply from outside Australia, you must also be outside Australia when your Student visa is granted.
โณ You can check current visa timeframes via our Visa processing times guide.
โ ๏ธ If you lodge an application in Australia when you are required to be offshore, your application will be invalid.
โ If you do not meet an exemption, you should not apply in Australia. An invalid application outcome could affect your visa status and you may not be eligible to apply for a further visa if your visa has already expired.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ If you include a family member who is not eligible to be included, their application will be invalid.
โ๏ธ After applying from outside Australia, if you are not eligible to apply in Australia
๐น You may return to Australia on another valid visa while your Student visa application is being processed, but you must be outside Australia when your Student visa is granted.
๐ซ You will not receive a Bridging visa linked to an application lodged outside Australia.
๐ Education providers, education agents and migration agents
You should understand:
๐น Which temporary visa holders are affected
๐น Which current Student visa holders may meet an exemption
๐น The offshore lodgement and grant requirements
๐ You should confirm that applicants can meet the new requirements before encouraging them to enrol, make financial commitments, or lodge an application.
๐
Applications lodged before 2 October 2026
Student visa applications lodged before the new rules started, including applications that included family members, will continue to be assessed under the rules that were in place when they were lodged.
โ ๏ธ Make sure you know how the new rules affect you before making visa, study, travel or relocation plans.
โน๏ธ For more information, visit Subclass 500 Student visa.
