Since 2 October 2026, most people on a temporary visa can no longer apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) while in Australia, and most current students can only get a further Student visa onshore if an exemption applies. You can still apply from outside Australia, and visas that have already been granted are not affected.
What Changed on 2 October 2026
New rules now apply to the Student visa (subclass 500) and the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590). They change who can apply for, and be granted, a visa while in Australia. The Government says the aim is to stop the Student visa being used mainly to stay in Australia, while still welcoming genuine students.
Who Can No Longer Apply in Australia
- Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday Maker (417 and 462), Skills in Demand (482), Visitor and Temporary Graduate (485) visa holders.
- Current Student visa holders, unless one of the exemptions below applies.
If you can’t apply in Australia, you can still apply from overseas. You must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is granted.
Exemptions for Current Students
You may still apply for another Student visa in Australia if you:
- are sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Department of Defence
- are applying to study a doctoral degree, or primary or secondary school
- need a new provider because yours can no longer deliver your course (a provider default)
- need up to 12 more months to finish your studies with the same provider
- have finished the main course on your current visa and are moving to a higher-level course.
Course Changes Must Move Up a Level
The Minister described the rule simply: you can go up the qualification scale, but only up. Moving from a bachelor degree to a master’s is fine. Finishing a degree and then enrolling in a lower-level diploma at another college is the pattern the Government wants to stop.
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)
If you plan to apply for a Student Guardian visa in Australia, check whether the new rules affect you. Current Student Guardian visa holders can still apply for another Student Guardian visa while in Australia.
Already Applied?
Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the rules that applied when they were lodged. The new rules also do not cancel or change any Student visa you already hold.
Changing Providers: More Changes Are Coming
The Government plans a new Transfer stream within the Student visa. Once it starts, students who change education provider will need to apply for a new visa. Details and a start date have not been released. A separate rule from 2 October also means most students must finish 12 months of their main course before moving to a new provider, until 30 June 2027. Talk to your provider before you transfer.
What You Should Do Now
- Check your visa expiry dateIf you can’t apply onshore, leave enough time to apply from overseas before your current visa ends.
- Use our free checkerOur Student Visa Rules Checker tells you in a minute whether you can apply in Australia.
- Plan your next course carefullyMake sure it is a higher level than the course you finished, or that another exemption applies.
- Get advice before you actBook a consultation with our registered migration agent before you change course, provider or visa.
Not sure how this affects you? Talk to our registered migration agent about your situation.
Book a consultationChecked against official sources on 21 October 2026. Sources: Home Affairs: Changes to Student visa application rules · Study Australia: Student visa changes, October 2026 update · Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500)
This update is general information, not legal advice. Migration law changes often, so check the official sources or speak to a registered migration agent before you make decisions.