Australia has introduced significant changes to the Student visa (subclass 500) framework on 2 October 2026. Australian Student Visa changes 2026 introduced important new rules for subclass 500 applicants, including restrictions on onshore applications, further Student visas, course progression and the inclusion of eligible family members.
The changes affect:
These reforms make it particularly important to check your eligibility before enrolling in another course or lodging a Student visa application.
The reforms introduced three major changes:
From 2 October 2026, holders of the following visas became ineligible to apply for a Student visa while in Australia:
The following visa holders were identified as already being ineligible to apply for a Student visa in Australia:
Being physically present in Australia does not necessarily mean that you can apply for a Student visa in Australia.
Your current visa subclass and personal circumstances should be assessed before you lodge an application.
The reforms also restrict applications for further Student visas made inside Australia.
A secondary Student visa holder can no longer apply for a Student visa as the primary applicant while in Australia.
A primary Student visa holder is generally unable to apply for another Student visa in Australia unless the applicant falls within one of six exemption categories.
| Exemption | When an onshore application may be available |
|---|---|
| 1. Additional time to complete the original main course | The student requires up to 12 additional months from the original course end date to complete the main course for which the original Student visa was granted. The course must be completed with the same education provider. |
| 2. DFAT or Defence sponsorship | The student is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence. |
| 3. Doctoral degree | The student is applying to study a Doctoral or PhD degree. This exemption does not apply to a Masters by Research. |
| 4. School studies | The student is applying to undertake primary or secondary school studies. |
| 5. Course progression | The student has completed the relevant main course or another qualifying course and is progressing to a course at a higher AQF level, subject to the applicable requirements. |
| 6. Education provider default | The student has been affected by an education provider default. |
The reforms introduced major changes for students who want to include a spouse, partner or another eligible family member.
Eligible family members must apply:
Family members can no longer apply later as subsequent entrants after the Student visa has been granted. The Department’s reform material states that there are no exemptions to this subsequent-entrant restriction.
| Student’s circumstances | Application lodged in Australia | Application lodged outside Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Applying for a Doctoral or PhD degree | Yes. Any eligible family members may be included. They do not need to have been included on a previous Student visa. | Yes. Any eligible family members may be included. |
| Sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence | Yes. Any eligible family members may be included. They do not need to have been included on a previous Student visa. | Yes. Any eligible family members may be included. |
| Receiving a fully funded foreign government scholarship | No, unless the student qualifies under another onshore exemption. If another onshore exemption applies, eligible family members may be included. | Yes. Any eligible family members may be included. |
| National of a prescribed Pacific Island or ASEAN country | No, unless the student qualifies under another onshore exemption. If another onshore exemption applies, eligible family members may be included. | Yes. Any eligible family members may be included. |
| Needs up to 12 additional months to complete the original main course | Yes, but only family members included on the previous Student visa may be included. New family members cannot be added. | Yes, but only family members included on the previous Student visa may be included. New family members cannot be added. |
| Affected by an education provider default | Yes, but only family members included on the previous Student visa may be included. The applicant must have applied for or held a Student visa before 2 October 2026. | Yes, but only family members included on the previous Student visa may be included. New family members cannot be added. |
| Completed the main course and is progressing to another qualifying course | Yes, but only family members included on the previous Student visa may be included. | No. |
The detailed result depends on the particular exemption, the place of application and, in some cases, the applicant’s previous Student visa history.
Students should not assume that a partner or child can be added after the primary Student visa is granted.
If eligible family members intend to apply, family arrangements should be considered before the primary applicant lodges the Student visa application.
Where a person applies outside Australia because the person is not eligible to lodge a Student visa application in Australia:
Different arrangements may apply where a person is eligible to apply in Australia but chooses to lodge the application outside Australia.
An applicant who does not meet an exemption permitting an onshore application should not lodge the Student visa application in Australia.
The Department states that an application lodged by a person who is not eligible to apply in Australia will not be accepted and will be invalidated.
An invalid application may affect the applicant’s visa status. If the applicant’s existing visa has already expired, the applicant may also be unable to apply for another visa.
An invalidity decision cannot be merits reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal.
The new Student visa framework introduced significant restrictions for onshore applicants, existing Student visa holders and families.
Before lodging an application, it is important to determine:
Migration Dreamz can assess your circumstances and provide professional advice about your Student visa options.
Book an appointment with Migration Dreamz to have your circumstances assessed by a Registered Migration Agent and receive advice tailored to your proposed visa application.
