Big Changes to Australian Student Visas: What You Need to Know (October 2026)

If you are studying in Australia, planning to study here, or currently on a temporary visa thinking about switching to a student visa, the rules have just changed significantly.

From 2 October 2026, the Australian Government introduced a series of amendments to the student visa (Subclass 500) program. Two of the most impactful changes affect where you can apply for your student visa, and which visas can no longer be used to switch to a student visa onshore.

A lot of the early media coverage missed some of the finer details. Here is a clear breakdown of what has actually changed.

Change 1: Most Current Student Visa Holders Must Now Apply Offshore

If you are already in Australia on a student visa and want to apply for a new one (for example, to start a different course), you will generally need to leave Australia and apply from outside the country.

This is a significant shift from how the process worked before.

There is also an important follow-on rule: if you do apply from outside Australia because of this requirement, you must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted.

Who is exempt?

There are some exceptions. You can still apply for a new student visa while in Australia if you fall into one of the following categories:

  • Completing your current course: You have started but not yet finished your principal course, and you expect to finish within 12 months of your CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) end date. This covers students who simply need extra time to complete their studies.
  • Moving to a higher-level course: You have completed your current course and are enrolling in one further course at a higher AQF level. For example, finishing a bachelor’s degree and moving straight into a master’s degree (both must be higher education courses delivered by a registered higher education provider).
  • Enrolled in a doctorate: PhD and doctoral students can continue to apply from within Australia.
  • Provider default: If your college or course closed or was cancelled through no fault of your own, you can apply onshore within 12 months to complete an alternative course with a new provider.
  • School students: As defined under the student visa regulations.
  • Defence or Foreign Affairs students: Students sponsored by those portfolios.

Important notes

For dependants: This exemption only applies if you are the main student visa holder. If you are currently in Australia as a dependant on your partner’s student visa and now want your own student visa, you must apply from outside Australia.

For bridging visa holders: The new rules require you to hold a substantive visa to apply onshore. If you are currently on a bridging visa, do not assume you can lodge onshore — get advice first.

One narrow exception for bridging visa holders: If your student visa was cancelled but the Administrative Review Tribunal later overturned that cancellation after your visa had already ended, you have 28 days from the date you were notified of the ART decision to lodge onshore.

Common scenarios

Situation What it means for you
Finishing a bachelor’s and starting a master’s Generally still possible onshore. Check you meet the course-progression exemption.
Finishing a master’s and starting another master’s Same AQF level, so you would generally need to apply from outside Australia.
Bachelor’s to a VET diploma Lower level, so you would generally need to apply from outside Australia.
Need more time to finish your current course Generally still possible onshore if you will finish within 12 months of your CoE end date.
Your college closed or cancelled your course Provider-default exemption lets you apply onshore within 12 months.
Currently on a bridging visa Do not assume you can apply onshore. Get advice before lodging.

Change 2: 17 Visa Types Can No Longer Be Used to Switch to a Student Visa in Australia

Since July 2024, visitor visa holders and Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa holders have not been able to apply for a student visa while in Australia.

From 2 October 2026, that list has expanded significantly. If you currently hold any of the following visas, you must now apply for a student visa from outside Australia.

Newly added to the list:

  • Subclass 400 (Temporary Work, Short Stay Specialist)
  • Subclass 407 (Training)
  • Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity)
  • Subclass 417 (Working Holiday)
  • Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday)
  • Subclass 457 (Temporary Work, Skilled)
  • Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand / Temporary Skill Shortage)

Already restricted since July 2024:

  • Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
  • Subclass 600, 601, 651 (Visitor visas, including ETA and eVisitor)
  • Subclass 602, 771, 988 (Medical Treatment, Transit, and Maritime Crew)
  • Subclass 403 and 995 (Diplomatic-related visas)

The Government’s explanatory statement says the aim is to stop temporary migrants who came to Australia “for a purpose other than study” from using a student visa “to prolong their stay.”

In plain terms: if you are on a working holiday or a 482 work visa and were planning to switch to a student visa without leaving Australia, that is no longer possible.

What Should You Do?

If any of these changes affect your situation, or you are not sure whether they do, the most important thing is to get advice before you enrol in a course, lodge a visa application, or make any decisions about leaving or staying in Australia. Getting this wrong can have serious consequences.

Everyone’s situation is different, and the rules have nuances that are easy to miss. Cases involving packaged courses, students who have already changed courses under their current visa, or courses without a clear AQF level are particularly complex.

MCA Migration offers personalised advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Contact us to book a consultation to find out where you stand.

For a one-page overview of the October 2026 student visa changes, you can also ​download the summary published by the Migration Institute of Australia​.​​

This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Migration laws and regulations change frequently. Always seek advice from a registered migration agent before making visa decisions.