What happened
Australia's latest student visa (Subclass 500) rules took effect on 2 October 2026 and apply to every application made from that date.
Most new international students can no longer bring family members with them, and students already holding a visa cannot apply to bring family later. Families already together in Australia will not be separated. Most people on temporary visas, including visitor and working holiday visas, can no longer apply for a student visa from inside Australia; they must leave and apply from abroad.
Students who are not at school must now stay with their first education provider for 12 months instead of six. From 1 July 2027, students who want to change provider will need to apply through a new student transfer stream, and transfers will only be allowed to a course at the same or a higher level, so a university student cannot switch onshore to a vocational (VET) course. The government says the aim is to stop 'visa hopping'.
Some groups are exempt, including PhD students, DFAT- or Defence-sponsored students and foreign government scholarship holders.
What it means for you
- If you planned to bring a spouse or child with you to Australia for a master's, that is no longer possible for most students. Plan your family arrangements before you apply.
- Choose your university and course carefully: you must stay with your first provider for 12 months, and moving down to a lower-level course after arrival is being closed off.
- If you are a PhD applicant or hold a government scholarship, check whether the exemptions apply to you.
UNIFER data: Australia courses
Sources
- OfficialAustralian Minister for International Education: Student visa integrity reforms take effect today
- OfficialAustralian Department of Education: Extension of the overseas student transfer restriction period to 12 months
- AnalysisProfessor Andrew Norton: New restrictions on onshore applications for student visas
- Reported byICEF Monitor: Australia: New rules now in force for accompanying dependants and onshore student visa applications (8 October 2026). This story is based on their reporting; read the original for full detail.
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