Australia has started a new set of student visa rules. They took effect on 2 October 2026 and apply to the Student visa (subclass 500) and the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590).
The rules limit onshore student visa applications, remove family options for most students, and tighten course transfers. They also come with new costs.
If you plan to study in Australia, or you are already there, read this before you decide on a course, a provider or your family plans.
Key Changes at a Glance
| Area | What changed |
|---|---|
| Applying from inside Australia | Most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore |
| Student to Student visa | You must show genuine course progression |
| Family members | Most students can no longer bring partners or children |
| Adding family later | Not allowed for any student |
| Changing providers | Wait 12 months in your principal course, up from 6 |
| New transfer visa | Starts 1 July 2027 |
| Higher Education to VET | Onshore switching is no longer allowed |
Source: Department of Home Affairs and the Assistant Minister for International Education.
1. Student Visa Charges and Costs
Fees are a big part of this update, so here is what is known.
- Application fee: SBS News reports that the Student visa application fee has risen from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000.
- New transfer visa: From 1 July 2027, students who change providers must apply for a new visa. SBS reports it is expected to cost about half the original visa fee. SBS also puts the likely cost at around AUD 2,500. Those two figures do not match, so the final fee is not confirmed.
Why this matters: Switching colleges used to cost only a change of enrolment. Soon it will cost a visa application too. Pick the right course and provider the first time.
Always check the official Home Affairs fee page before you pay, because fees can change.
2. Limits on Applying for a Student Visa Inside Australia
The government wants to stop what it calls “visa hopping”. That means moving from one temporary visa to a Student visa while already in Australia.
What changed:
- Most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa while in Australia.
- This includes Working Holiday Maker visa holders and Skills in Demand visa holders.
- Student visa holders who apply for another onshore Student visa must show genuine course progression.
Limited exceptions include:
- School students
- PhD students
- Students affected by a provider default
- Students whose course was deferred
Students can still extend their visa to finish a course in some cases. SBS lists illness, failing a subject, or a provider going out of business.
What “course progression” means: After finishing a course, you can apply for a new Student visa only if the next course ranks higher on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). A move from a Diploma to a Bachelor’s degree fits. A move to a lower or same-level course may not.
3. Family Rules: Who Can Bring Partners and Children
This is the change that affects many Indian families.
New rules:
- Most students can no longer include a partner or children in their Student visa application.
- Limited exceptions apply to PhD students, nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries, and students sponsored by Australian or foreign governments.
- Where family can come, they must be included in the original application.
- No student can add a family member after the visa is granted. The “subsequent entrant” option has been removed for everyone.
- Similar limits apply to Temporary Graduate visas.
Families already in Australia: The government says families already together in Australia will not be separated. Eligible students applying for a new onshore visa may include only family members already there.
For Indian applicants: India is not on the ASEAN or Pacific list. Unless you are a PhD student or government-sponsored, plan to study without your family. Do not assume you can bring them later.
4. Stricter Rules for Changing Education Providers
Transfers are changing in two stages.
From 2 October 2026 until 30 June 2027:
- Non-school students must stay in their principal course for 12 months before asking to transfer. The old limit was six months.
- School students keep the six-month rule for their first registered school course.
- Transfers are still possible in exceptional cases, or when a provider or course closes.
From 1 July 2027:
- Students who want to change providers after arriving must apply through a new Student visa transfer stream.
- You must receive the new visa before you start at the new provider.
- Your new visa keeps the same end date.
- You can only move to an equal or higher AQF level.
5. No Switching From Higher Education to VET
Students can no longer come to Australia for a higher education course and then move onshore to a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course.
The government says this closes a gap that let some students enter through a stricter pathway and then move to a lower-cost, lower-quality course. Some providers built their business on that.
6. Why Australia Made These Changes
The government says it wants to protect the quality of its international education sector and keep the Student visa focused on temporary study.
SBS reports several related points:
- The government aims to bring net overseas migration down to 225,000 by 2028.
- Student visa refusals reached a record 35 per cent in August, up 12 per cent from the same month last year.
- Temporary visa holders have grown from 1.8 million to 2.8 million in a decade, according to an independent MP quoted by SBS.
Officials stress that Australia still welcomes genuine students. The message is clear, though: weak applications and course-hopping plans will face more scrutiny.
7. What Indian Students Should Do Now
If you are applying for 2027 intakes:
- Choose your course with care. You will have to stay put for at least 12 months, and a new visa will be needed to move after mid-2027.
- Plan a clear study path. Each course should lead to a higher level.
- Decide about family early. Most students cannot bring family at all.
- Prepare a strong Genuine Student case. With refusals at record levels, your documents and course choice must make sense together.
- Budget for visa costs. Include the AUD 2,000 application fee and a possible transfer visa fee.
If you are already in Australia:
- Check your visa conditions before any course change.
- Do not start at a new provider without confirming the rules for your case.
- If you hold a visa other than a Student visa, you probably cannot apply for a Student visa onshore. Get advice before you plan anything.
For help with courses, funds and documents, see our Study in Australia guide for students in Ahmedabad and Surat. For work rules, read our earlier update on Australia’s student work hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new Australia student visa rules start?
They took effect on 2 October 2026.
Can I still apply for an Australian student visa?
Yes. Australia says you can still apply if you meet the visa requirements.
Can I bring my spouse or children on a student visa?
Most students cannot. Exceptions apply to PhD students, nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries, and government-sponsored students.
Can I add my family after my visa is granted?
No. The option to add subsequent entrants has been removed for all students.
How long must I stay in my course before changing provider?
Non-school students must stay 12 months until 30 June 2027. After that, the new transfer visa stream applies.
Is there a new student visa fee?
SBS reports the application fee is AUD 2,000, up from AUD 1,600. A new transfer visa is expected to cost about half that, but the final fee is not confirmed.
Can I move from a university course to a VET course after arriving?
No. Onshore switching from Higher Education to VET is no longer allowed.
Talk to SWEC Visa Consultant Before You Apply
The new rules reward careful planning. A wrong course or provider choice can now cost you more time and money.
SWEC Visa Consultant helps students across Ahmedabad, Surat and Gujarat with:
- Course and university selection
- Genuine Student documents
- Financial planning
- Student visa application support
- Pre-departure guidance
Book a free Australia student visa consultation with SWEC today.
For official details, visit the Home Affairs page on changes to Student visa rules and the Minister’s announcement on the reforms.
