Education · for international students
The rules keep changing.
We explain them simply.
Student visa changes, course and provider questions, what to do next. Written in simple English from the government's own pages, with a free check of your own situation and a real person to talk to.
General information, not migration advice. OneCall Melbourne is not a migration agent.
What changed, and when
Rule changes that affect students
- In force
Most Student visa applications must now be made from outside Australia
If you already hold a Student visa you can apply for the next one in Australia only in a few special cases: up to 12 more months to finish at the same provider, moving to a higher-level course after finishing, PhD, school, DFAT or Defence sponsorship, or a provider that closed. Family members can no longer be added to a Student visa after it is granted.
Check what applies to you → - In force until 30 June 2027
Changing provider now needs 12 months, not 6
A new school, college or university cannot enrol you until you have finished 12 months of your main course with your current provider, unless your provider releases you or one of three other exceptions applies. From 1 July 2027 it goes back to 6 months.
Read the transfer rule → - Announced, not law yet
Planned: a new Student visa before you can change provider
The government has said that from mid-2027 students will need a new Student visa before transferring to another education provider. The details have not been published. We will explain it here the day they are.
Source for every item: the Department of Home Affairs website and the Federal Register of Legislation. Each article links to the exact page.
Tools
Work it out for yourself first
Student visa check
Can you still apply in Australia? What about your partner or children? Tap your answers and get the result by email.
Start the check →14 real-life examples
"I failed two subjects", "I finished my Diploma and want a Bachelor", "I want to move to a cheaper college". Find the one closest to you.
See the examples →Talk to a person
A community volunteer, our partner education consultant, or a solicitor. Members can message them directly.
Who can help →Latest
Articles for students
New articles are published here every week. The first ones are being written now.
How we work
From a government page to something you can actually use
- 01
We read the rule
The actual government page or legislation, the day it comes out. Not a news article about it.
- 02
We write it in simple English
Short sentences, every hard word explained, and a link to the source so you can check us.
- 03
You check your own situation
A few taps, and the page tells you what the rules say for you and what to do next. The result is emailed to you.
- 04
You talk to a person
A volunteer, our partner education consultant or a solicitor, depending on what you need. OneCall makes the introduction.
Articles are written by OneCall Melbourne and by partner education consultants who work with international students every day. OneCall checks each one against the source before it goes live. Partner names are shown to members who are signed in.
Worried right now?
Your current visa has not changed. Do not apply for anything in a hurry. Talk to someone first.
OneCall listens, helps you work out what to ask, and introduces you to a solicitor who can advise you. The first chat is free. In Australia only a registered migration agent or a lawyer can give migration advice.