Student Visa Reforms in Stages: What Took Effect on 2 October 2026 and What Is Still Being Developed

From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore and family-member inclusions are restricted, while a Transfer stream and Temporary Graduate visa family limits remain under development.

From 2 October 2026, the Australian Government introduced the first stage of Student visa reforms: most temporary visa holders lost the ability to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) or Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) while in Australia, and new Student visa applicants can no longer include family members unless an exemption applies. A proposed Transfer stream for students changing providers and restrictions on family members for Temporary Graduate visa applicants are still being developed; details and commencement dates for those measures have not been published. Individual circumstances are assessed against the Department of Home Affairs’ current requirements, and case-specific advice should be sought from a registered migration agent.

Onshore Student visa applications restricted

Most temporary visa holders — including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders — can no longer lodge a Student visa application while physically in Australia. Student visa holders generally cannot apply for a further Student visa onshore either. Applicants who are required to apply from outside Australia must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Exemptions allow onshore applications for: - Students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Department of Defence - Students applying for a doctoral degree, primary or secondary school studies - Students affected by provider default - Students who need up to 12 additional months to complete their current course with the same provider - Students who have completed their main course and are progressing to a higher-level course

Current Student visas are not affected by these changes. Current Student Guardian visa holders may continue to apply for another Student Guardian visa while in Australia.

Family-member inclusions limited

First-time and subsequent Student visa applicants can no longer include family members in the application unless an exemption applies. The change aligns the Student visa with its core purpose of temporary study stays.

Exemptions for family-member inclusion: - Doctoral students - Nationals of Pacific countries and ASEAN member states - Fully-funded foreign government scholarship recipients - Students sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence

Existing families in Australia

Transitional arrangements protect families already in Australia. A Student visa holder may include the same family members in a new application if: - Those family members were included in the holder’s visa or visa application before 2 October 2026, and - The holder is eligible to apply for a further Student visa onshore.

Important limits: - No family members can be added after a Student visa has been granted — there are no exemptions to this rule. - Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the rules in place at lodgement.

Changing education providers: Transfer stream still in development

Further changes to Student visa settings for students who change providers are being developed. A new Transfer stream within the Student visa subclass is intended to be introduced; Student visa holders who change providers will be required to apply through this stream. The Transfer stream remains under development; its detailed rules and commencement date have not been published.

Temporary Graduate visa family restrictions also in development

Restrictions on the ability of Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applicants to include family members will be introduced. Those restrictions are still being developed; further information will be released as the reform progresses. Temporary Graduate visa holders retain unlimited work rights and can use Australian qualifications for graduate work opportunities.

Note: The Temporary Graduate visa application charge increased to A$5,750 on 1 July 2026. Eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and ASEAN member states were excluded from that increase.

What to do next

Understand how the changes affect your situation before making visa, study, travel or relocation plans.
Check whether the new onshore application requirements affect any plan to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.
Consider how the family-member changes may affect your arrangements.
Review official visa requirements before changing education provider or course.
Use the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool to confirm the financial capacity and English language evidence you may need.

If you need advice about your individual visa circumstances, contact a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.