Most students seeking to continue their studies must now apply from outside Australia, while bringing family members has also become more difficult
Australia’s new student visa measures came into force on October 2, introducing tighter rules for international students, including Indians. The changes cover Student visas (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visas (subclass 590), with restrictions on further applications from within Australia and on bringing family members.
Under the new rules, most existing Student visa holders cannot apply for another Student visa while in Australia. Unless they qualify for an exemption, they must lodge the application from outside the country and also be offshore when the new visa is granted.
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Limited exemptions apply to certain categories, including students needing up to 12 additional months to complete their studies with the same education provider, PhD applicants, school students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students, and some students progressing to a higher-level qualification
The rules also restrict students from bringing partners or dependent children. Most new Student visa applicants can no longer include family members unless they fall within specified exemption categories. The exemptions cover some PhD students, government-sponsored students, foreign government scholarship recipients and eligible students from certain Pacific and ASEAN countries.
Family members generally can no longer join a Student visa holder later as subsequent entrants under the new arrangements.
Australia has also tightened rules governing transfers between education providers. As a transitional measure until June 30, 2027, non-school students must generally remain in their principal course for 12 months before seeking a transfer, compared with six months previously.
Applications lodged before October 2 will continue to be assessed under the rules that applied when they were submitted. The Department of Home Affairs has advised prospective students to check their eligibility and application location before making study, travel or relocation arrangements.
