Student visa changes: October 2026 update for education agents

What is changing and why?

Australia’s international education sector makes a significant contribution to the economy, communities and international partnerships.

The Australian Government is changing the Student visa program to strengthen its integrity and uphold the quality of Australian education. The changes will better support the program’s main purpose: temporary stays in Australia for study. 

The broader Student visa reforms are being introduced in stages. Other changes, including a proposed Transfer stream of the student visa for students changing education providers, are still being developed.

From 2 October 2026, new rules change who can apply for and be granted a Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) in Australia. They also change whether family members can be included in a Student visa application or added later.

They aim to reduce misuse of the Student visa program by people seeking to prolong their stay rather than pursue a genuine education outcome. They will also limit the use of successive temporary visas. The reforms will not affect the ability of genuine students to study in Australia.

Restrictions on Student visa applications in Australia

Most temporary visa holders will not be able to apply for a Student visa in Australia. This now includes Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders. This builds on changes introduced in 2024 for Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders. Affected temporary visa holders must also be outside Australian when the visa is granted. 

Current Student Guardian visa holders can continue to apply for another Student Guardian visa while in Australia.

Student visa holders generally cannot apply for another Student visa in Australia. 

Exemptions apply to:

• students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Department of Defence
• students applying to undertake a doctoral degree or primary or secondary school studies
• students affected by provider default
• students who need up to 12 additional months to complete their studies with the same education provider
• students who have completed the main course covered by their current visa and are progressing to a higher-level course.

Key considerations

• Applicants required to apply for a Student visa outside Australia must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. 
• Students prevented from applying in Australia may continue to apply from outside Australia.
• The changes do not affect current Student visas. 

Changes affecting family members

Student visa applicants, whether applying for their first or a further Student visa, can no longer include family members in their application unless an exemption applies.  The changes aim to better align Student visa with their main purpose: temporary stays in Australia for study and post-study work experience.

Exemptions apply to:

• doctoral students
• nationals of Pacific and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries
• fully- funded foreign government scholarship recipients
• students sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence.

Existing families in Australia

Arrangements will help avoid separating families already in Australia. Student visa holders may include the same family members in a new application if:

• the family members are included in their visa or visa application when the changes took effect on 2 October 2026, and
• the Student visa holder is eligible to apply for a further Student visa in Australia.

Key considerations

• No Student visa holder can add family members after their Student visa has been granted. There are no exemptions to this rule.
• Student visa applications lodged before 2 October 2026, including applications that included family members, will continue to be assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged.
• New Student visa applicants who cannot include family members will need to consider their family circumstances when deciding whether to apply.

Next stage of reforms

Transfer stream

A new Transfer stream within the Student visa subclass is intended to be introduced. It aims to strengthen the integrity of the Student visa program when students change education providers.

Under the proposed arrangements, Student visa holders who change education providers will need to apply for a new visa through this stream.

Temporary Graduate Visa

Restrictions on the ability of Temporary Graduate visa applicants to include family members in their application will be introduced.

Further information will become available as these reforms are progressed.

What education agents need to know

Education agents are expected to familiarise themselves with the changes to Student visa application requirements and consider how they may affect students’ study and visa plans.

To support students through the application process, education agents should be aware that:

• most temporary visa holders, including student visa holders must now be outside Australia when applying for a Student visa and when the visa is granted, unless an exemption applies restrictions apply to including family members, with exemptions for specified cohorts.
• family members cannot be added after a Student visa is granted and there are no exemptions to this rule.
• the proposed Transfer stream and restrictions on Temporary Graduate visa applicants to include family members are still being developed and more information will be available soon.

Applicants should understand how the new rules affect them before making visa, study, travel or relocation plans. 

Education agents should refer students to the Department of Home Affairs for the latest requirements and information about their individual circumstances.

Learn more

Visit the Department of Home Affairs Student Visa Reforms page for the latest information about the changes, affected visas and exemptions.