02/10/2026
🚨 STUDENT VISA UPDATE | NEW RULES FROM 2 OCTOBER 2026🚨
Essence Migration | Essence Legal Pty Ltd
Australia's new Student visa application rules have commenced. If you are planning further studies, a new visa application or travel with your family, check how the changes affect you before making commitments.
1. Applying for another Student visa in Australia
Current Student visa holders generally need to apply outside Australia for another Student visa, unless an exemption applies. Most other temporary visa holders are also restricted from applying onshore. This includes Student visa dependants seeking to become primary Student visa applicants.
If you are required to apply offshore, you must be outside Australia when lodging the application and when the visa is granted.
Onshore exemptions for current Student visa holders may include:
• Needing up to 12 additional months to finish the same main course with the same education provider.
• Applying for PhD study or primary/secondary school studies.
• DFAT or Defence sponsorship.
• Completing an AQF-level main course and progressing to a higher AQF level. After higher education, the next course must also be higher education delivered by a higher education provider.
• Completing school and progressing to a non-AQF course, or completing a non-AQF course and progressing to an AQF-level course.
• Being unable to continue because the education provider has defaulted.
Each exemption has conditions. Do not assume that changing courses automatically qualifies you.
2. Including partners and dependent children
Family members can generally only be included in a new Student visa application where an exemption applies. This also affects applications for a further Student visa.
Eligible groups may include PhD students, DFAT/Defence-sponsored students, recipients of foreign government scholarships, and eligible students from Pacific countries or ASEAN member countries.
Existing dependants may also qualify under transitional arrangements for a further onshore application. Specific provisions apply to certain children born in Australia. Eligibility must be checked individually.
The primary applicant and included family members must be in the same location when applying: all in Australia or all outside Australia.
3. Family members joining later
Under the new rules, Student visa holders can no longer use the subsequent entrant pathway to add family members after their visa has been granted. Home Affairs states that there are no exemptions to this rule.
4. Current visas and earlier applications
These changes do not affect your current Student visa. Student visa applications lodged before 2 October 2026, including family applications, continue to be assessed under the rules applying when lodged.
Current Student Guardian visa holders may continue to apply for a further Student Guardian visa in Australia.
Do not assume you have a 28-day opportunity to lodge after a visa expires. Seek advice before expiry, before changing courses and before booking travel.
Need advice about your next step?
Essence Migration | Essence Legal Pty Ltd
Migration enquiries: 0432 574 315
Email: [email protected]
Address: 203/8 French Ave, Bankstown NSW 2200
General information only, current as at 2 October 2026. This post does not replace advice about your individual circumstances. Visa eligibility depends on the applicable legislation and your circumstances.
Sources:
Department of Home Affairs, Changes to Student visa application rules (subclasses 500 & 590):
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/changes-to-student-visa-application-rules-500-590
Home Affairs factsheet:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/changes-to-student-visa-applications-factsheet.pdf
Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 (F2026L01347):
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L01347/asmade
