NewImportant
AustraliaVisas and rules
Australia: most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore (from 2 October)
- Officially announced
- Oct 2, 2026
- Effective from
- Oct 2, 2026
- Last checked
- Oct 22, 2026
Checked against official sources
Key points
- Country
- Australia
- Topic
- Visas and rules
- Who
- Working Holiday visa holders in Australia who planned to switch to a Student visa onshore; Student visa holders planning a new Student visa for their next course; and people planning to study with a partner or children.
- Effective date
- Oct 2, 2026
From 2 October 2026, Australia changed the application rules for the Student visa (subclass 500). Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. Including family members (partner and children) in a Student visa application is also no longer possible in most cases.
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (external site)
What changed
The Home Affairs factsheet says "Most temporary visa holders in Australia will no longer be able to lodge a Student" visa onshore, and the Home Affairs decision tree lists Working Holiday visa holders among those affected.
People who cannot apply onshore must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Student visa holders applying for a further Student visa must also apply offshore unless an exception applies.
Family members can no longer be included in the application unless an exception applies, and family members cannot be added after the visa is granted.
Study Australia says a new "Transfer stream" for students changing providers is planned; details have not been published.
Who it applies to
- Working Holiday visa holders in Australia who planned to switch to a Student visa onshore; Student visa holders planning a new Student visa for their next course; and people planning to study with a partner or children.
When it applies
- Oct 2, 2026Officially announced
- Oct 2, 2026Effective from
From 2 October 2026 (Home Affairs Student visa page notice, posted 2 October 2026). Study Australia published its notice on 7 October 2026.
Exceptions
Main exceptions for Student visa holders who can still apply onshore (Home Affairs factsheet): extending with the same provider by up to 12 months after the original course end date; DFAT or Defence sponsorship; PhD or school studies; moving to a higher AQF level after completing the main course; and provider default.
Show details
Main exceptions for including family members: PhD study, DFAT or Defence sponsorship, foreign government scholarships, and eligible Pacific and ASEAN nationals (Japanese citizens are not covered by the nationality exception).
Applications lodged by 1 October 2026 are assessed under the rules at the time of application. Current Student visas are not affected.
What to check or do
- Always check the official page for the latest information and your individual situation.
- 1.
- If you plan to switch from a Working Holiday visa to a Student visa, use the Home Affairs decision tree to check whether you need to leave Australia and apply offshore.
- 2.
- If you are on a Student visa, check whether your next course falls under an exception (such as moving to a higher level).
- 3.
- Confirm where you must apply and which exceptions apply before booking flights or enrolling (Home Affairs also advises checking the new rules before making plans).
Official sources
Related countries, cities, schools and guides
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (external site)
