Guide · Student visa rules
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026: check what applies to you
The rules for Student visas changed on 2 October 2026. Most people now have to be outside Australia when they apply. If you are a student already in Australia, you can still apply here in some special cases. The visa you have now has not changed.
This page is general information. It is not migration advice. OneCall Melbourne is not a registered migration agent. Everything here comes from the Department of Home Affairs website. Before you act, check that website, or ask a registered migration agent or a solicitor.
First, the good news
- The visa you have now has not changed. It is still good until its end date.
- If you applied before 2 October 2026, the old rules apply to you.
- Australia still wants international students. You can still apply if you meet the visa rules.
Check your situation
Tap the answer that fits you. It takes about one minute. We do not save your answers, and nobody sees them.
Question 1
Which one is you today?
Find the example closest to you
Tap a situation to see what the rules say and why. These are examples to show how the rules work. They are not real people, and they are not advice about your own case.
May apply in Australia“My course was going to end in November 2026. I failed two subjects, so now it ends in June 2027.”
You may be able to apply in Australia.
Why: You need about 7 more months. That is less than 12. If you are still at the same university, and it is the same course, this fits the "12 more months" special case.
What to do: Ask your university for a new CoE. Apply before your visa ends.
Outside Australia“I failed many subjects. I need two more years to finish.”
The rules say you need to apply from outside Australia.
Why: The special case is only for up to 12 extra months after your first course end date. Two years is too long.
What to do: Do not apply in Australia. Your visa is still good until its end date. Get advice and plan early.
May apply in Australia“I changed from one Bachelor course to another Bachelor course at the same university. I need 8 more months.”
You may be able to apply in Australia.
Why: You are at the same university. Your new course is at the same level. You need less than 12 extra months. All three parts of the special case fit.
What to do: Ask your university for a new CoE. Apply before your visa ends.
May apply in Australia“I finished my Diploma. Now I want to study a Bachelor Degree.”
You may be able to apply in Australia.
Why: You finished your course. A Diploma is AQF level 5 and a Bachelor Degree is level 7, so you are moving up.
What to do: Get your CoE for the Bachelor Degree. Apply before your visa ends.
Outside Australia“I finished my Masters. I want to study a Diploma so I can stay longer.”
The rules say you need to apply from outside Australia.
Why: The next course must be at a higher level. A Masters is level 9 and a Diploma is level 5, so you are moving down.
What to do: Do not apply in Australia. Do not pay for the Diploma before you get advice.
May apply in Australia“I finished my English course (ELICOS). My Bachelor Degree starts soon.”
You may be able to apply in Australia.
Why: An English course has no AQF level. A Bachelor Degree has a level. The government uses this as its own example.
What to do: Get your CoE for the Bachelor Degree. Apply before your visa ends.
Outside Australia“I finished my English course. I want to study another English course.”
The rules say you need to apply from outside Australia.
Why: Going from one course with no AQF level to another is not a special case. The government uses this as its own example.
What to do: Do not apply in Australia. Talk to your school about your options.
Outside Australia“I finished my Bachelor Degree at a university. I want to study a Graduate Diploma at a VET college.”
The rules say you need to apply from outside Australia.
Why: If you finished a higher education course, your next course must also be higher education, at a higher education provider. A VET college is not one. The government uses this as its own example.
What to do: Do not apply in Australia. Ask a university about a higher education course, or get advice.
Outside Australia“I want to leave my university and move to a cheaper college before I finish.”
The rules say you need to apply from outside Australia.
Why: There is no special case for moving to a different school, college or university before you finish your course.
What to do: Talk to your university before you change anything. Changing can also affect the visa you have now.
May apply in Australia“My college closed down.”
You may be able to apply in Australia.
Why: There is a special case for students who cannot keep studying because their school or college closed or cannot teach the course.
What to do: Keep every letter and email from the college. Find a new course, get a CoE, and apply before your visa ends.
May apply in Australia“My wife is on my Student visa. I need 6 more months to finish my course.”
You may be able to apply in Australia, with your wife on the application.
Why: You fit the "12 more months" special case. Family who are already on your Student visa may be put on the new application.
What to do: Apply together, from the same country, before your visa ends.
Outside Australia“I want to bring my wife or husband to Australia next year.”
You cannot add family to your visa later.
Why: From 2 October 2026 nobody can add family members after a Student visa is given. There are no special cases. Family can only be on the application itself, and only for a few groups of students.
What to do: Use the check above and tick "They are not on my visa now" to see the groups. Get advice before you plan.
Outside Australia“I am on a Temporary Graduate (485) visa. I want to study again.”
The rules say you need to apply from outside Australia.
Why: The 485 visa is on the list of visas that cannot be used to apply for a Student visa in Australia. There are no special cases.
What to do: You must be outside Australia on the day you apply and on the day the visa is given.
No change“I applied for my new Student visa on 28 September 2026.”
The old rules apply to you.
Why: Applications made before 2 October 2026 are looked at under the old rules.
What to do: Wait for the decision. Answer on time if the government asks you for anything.
What changed, in simple words
1. Where you apply
Before, many people could apply for a Student visa while they were in Australia. Now most people must be outside Australia on the day they apply, and on the day the visa is given.
2. Your next Student visa
If you have a Student visa now, you can apply for the next one in Australia only if you fit a special case. If you are on the visa as a family member, there is no special case.
3. Your family
Most students can no longer put a partner or children on the application. Nobody can add family after the visa is given.
If you have a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590), you can still apply for another Student Guardian visa in Australia.
Who can still apply in Australia
You must have a Student visa in your own name, and fit one of these special cases. The government calls them exemptions. The full wording is on the Student visa page, under Eligibility.
| Special case | What must be true |
|---|---|
| You need up to 12 more months to finish | Count from your first course end date. You must be at the same school, college or university. If you study a package, it must be your main course. |
| You finished your course and are moving up | Your next course must be at a higher AQF level. If you finished a higher education course, the next one must be higher education too. |
| English or foundation, then a course with a level | You finished a course with no AQF level, and your next course has a level. |
| School, then a foundation course | You finished school, and your next course has no AQF level. |
| PhD | You are applying for a PhD (Doctoral Degree). A Masters by Research does not count. |
| Primary or secondary school | You are applying to study at school. |
| DFAT or Defence | The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence pays for your study. |
| Your school or college closed | You cannot keep studying because your provider closed or cannot teach your course. |
Not sure of your course level? Ask your school, college or university. You can also look at the AQF website or find your course on the CRICOS register.
Hard words, made simple
Government pages use these words. Here is what they mean.
- Apply (the government says "lodge")
- To send your visa application online in ImmiAccount.
- Granted
- The government said yes and gave you the visa.
- Special case (the government says "exemption")
- A group of students who may still apply while they are in Australia.
- Education provider
- Your school, college, TAFE or university.
- CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
- The paper from your provider that shows your course, its start date and its end date.
- Main course
- If your visa covers more than one course (a package), the last course is your main course.
- AQF level
- A number from 1 to 10 that shows how high an Australian course is. Certificate I is 1. A Diploma is 5. A Bachelor Degree is 7. A Masters is 9. A PhD is 10.
- Higher education and VET
- Higher education is university-level study. VET is job-skills training, for example at a TAFE or a private college.
- Provider default
- Your school or college closed, or it cannot teach your course any more.
- Bridging visa
- A short visa that lets you stay in Australia while you wait for a decision. You do not get one if you apply from outside Australia.
- Invalid application
- An application the government will not accept. It is like you did not apply at all.
- Family member (dependant)
- Your partner, or your child who is under 18 and not married.
Four mistakes to avoid
- Applying in Australia “just to try”. If you do not fit a special case, the government will not accept your application. It says this could cause problems for your visa. You also cannot ask the tribunal (the ART) to look at the decision again.
- Thinking you will get a bridging visa. You do not get one if you apply from outside Australia.
- Coming back too early. You may come back on another visa while you wait. But you must be outside Australia again on the day the Student visa is given.
- Paying before you check. Check which rule is yours before you enrol in a new course, pay fees, book flights or move house.
The government’s own list is on its “What you need to do” page.
Stressed, or still not sure?
It is normal to feel scared when the rules change. Remember two things. The visa you have now has not changed. And for most students, nothing has to be decided tonight. Do not apply for anything in a hurry. Talk to someone first.
Talk to OneCall Melbourne
Send us a message. We are not migration agents, so we do not give visa advice. We listen, help you work out what to ask, and introduce you to a solicitor who can advise you. The first chat is free.
Still stuck? Message Mezbaul
Md Mezbaul IslamEducation consultant, community volunteer
Mezbaul is an education consultant. He helps students from the Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Nepali communities with study questions, as a volunteer. He is not a migration agent, so he does not give visa advice. He can talk with you about your course and your study options.
Please send a message first. Tell him you got his number from the OneCall Melbourne website. Call only if it is an emergency.
Emergency only: call 0424 688 523
Free help for international students
The Study Melbourne Hub is run by the Victorian Government. It is free and private. It can help with money, housing, health and work problems. The international student support team at your own school or university can help too.
If it feels like too much
You do not have to carry this alone. Lifeline answers 24 hours a day. Beyond Blue has counsellors by phone and online chat. If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 000.
In Australia, only a registered migration agent or a lawyer can give you migration advice. You can check if an agent is registered on the official register of migration agents.
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Sources, read 2 October 2026: Changes to Student visa application rules (Home Affairs) · Applying while in Australia · Including or adding family members · What you need to do · Subclass 500 Student visa