Policy effective: 2 October 2026. Last checked: 5 October 2026.
Australia has changed the rules for lodging Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) applications in Australia, and for including family in Student visa applications. Review these requirements before choosing your next intake or making travel and payment commitments. Read the Department of Home Affairs announcement.
Applying while you are in Australia
Most temporary visa holders must now lodge their application outside Australia. Affected applicants must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Student visa dependants seeking to become the primary Student visa applicant must apply offshore; Home Affairs states there is no exemption for that change. Current Student Guardian visa holders can still apply for another Student Guardian visa in Australia. Check the official onshore application rules.
Working Holiday holders: plan study and visa steps separately
Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) holders are on the list of people who cannot apply for a Student visa in Australia, with no exemptions for holders of those listed visas. An offer, enrolment or Confirmation of Enrolment does not remove this restriction. Check the full visa list and eligibility requirements.
Applying for a further Student visa
Existing Student visa holders need to meet a specific exemption to apply again onshore. Examples include certain course-completion extensions, PhD or school study, eligible progression to a higher qualification, government sponsorship and education-provider default. Each has conditions: a course-completion extension, for example, is limited to up to 12 additional months and continued study with the same provider. Higher education progression has additional requirements. These examples are not an eligibility assessment. Read the official fact sheet and the detailed Student visa criteria.
Partners and dependent children
Including family at the time of application is now restricted to specified exemptions. These can cover PhD students, certain government-sponsored or scholarship students, eligible Pacific or ASEAN nationals, and some existing dependants, subject to detailed conditions. Do not assume nationality or previous inclusion alone is enough. Home Affairs says family cannot apply later as subsequent entrants after the Student visa is granted, with no exemptions to that rule. Check the family rules and exceptions.
Existing visas and earlier applications
The changes do not alter your current Student visa. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026, including those with family members, continue under the rules that applied when lodged. See the official transition information.
Before accepting an offer or paying fees
Confirm the applicable application location and exemption requirements first. An offshore application does not provide a linked Bridging visa. Allow for travel and processing time, and ask the provider about intake dates, deferral and refund terms. Read Home Affairs guidance on next steps.
GSS Education provides course comparison and enrolment support. We are not a registered migration agent or law practice and do not provide immigration assistance or visa advice. For advice about your circumstances, consult a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner. Course enrolment does not guarantee visa eligibility or a visa grant.