02/10/2026
Australia has introduced significant changes to Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) applications from 2 October 2026.
Under the new rules, most temporary visa holders in Australia can no longer lodge a Student or Student Guardian visa onshore. Current Student visa holders wanting another Student visa are also generally required to apply from outside Australia unless they qualify for a specific exemption. If you are affected, you must be outside Australia both when you lodge and when the visa is granted.
There are limited exemptions for current students, including needing up to 12 additional months to finish the same course with the same provider, PhD study, primary or secondary school, DFAT/Defence sponsorship, provider default, and certain genuine progression to a higher AQF level. For higher education graduates, the next course must also be a higher education course delivered by a higher education provider.
Another major change is for family members. Student applicants generally cannot include a partner or dependent children unless an exemption applies, and once a Student visa has been granted, family members can no longer be added later as subsequent entrants with no exemptions to that rule.
Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the rules that applied when they were lodged.
Before changing courses, enrolling, travelling or making family relocation plans, understand how the new rules apply to you.
