New rules for student visa applications

The Australian Government has updated its rules for student visa applications, the inclusion of family members on student visas, and overseas student transfer between education providers. These changes were effective from 2 October 2026. Details about the changes can be found on the Australia Government's Department of Home Affairs website.

For students, the main change when applying for a student visa is as follows:

• They must be outside of Australia when they lodge their application and when their visa is granted, unless an exemption applies.
• For students reapplying during course progression, they may be eligible to apply in Australia after completing their main course and progressing to a higher AQF level. Where the completed course was higher education, the next course must also be higher education with a higher education provider.
• Most other temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a student or student guardian visa while in Australia.

The Australian Government has issued the following factsheets to assist agents and providers understand the latest changes:

• Applying for a student visa (subclass 500) or student guardian visa (subclass 590) while in Australia - decision tree.
• Changes to student visa application rules factsheet.
• Extension of the overseas student transfer restriction period to 12 months.

Questions? Please email Admissions@utscollege.edu.au if you have any questions about the new processes.