02/10/2026
The Australian Government has introduced major changes to the Student visa framework last night, implementing some of the reforms announced by Immigration Minister Tony Burke in September.
Unlike the previous announcement, these changes have now been legislated and will take effect from 2 October 2026.
The reforms significantly restrict who can lodge a Student visa while in Australia, when existing Student visa holders can apply for another Student visa onshore, and which family members can be included or subsequently added to a Student visa.
Here is what you need to know.
From 2 October 2026, holders of a much broader range of temporary visas will be prevented from lodging a Student visa application while in Australia.
The affected visas include:
• Subclass 400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)
• Subclass 403 – certain International Relations visa holders
• Subclass 407 – Training
• Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity
• Subclass 417 – Working Holiday
• Subclass 457 – former Temporary Work (Skilled)
• Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday
• Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand / former TSS
• Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate
• Subclass 600 – Visitor
• Subclass 601 – Electronic Travel Authority
• Subclass 602 – Medical Treatment
• Subclass 651 – eVisitor
• Subclass 771 – Transit
• Subclass 988 – Maritime Crew
• certain Subclass 995 visa holders
This means, for example, that a Working Holiday Maker holding a Subclass 417 or 462 visa will no longer be able to lodge a Student visa from inside Australia from 2 October 2026.
The same restriction now extends to Training, Temporary Activity and Skills in Demand visa holders, amongst others.
If affected, the Student visa application will generally need to be made from outside Australia.
From 2 October 2026, simply holding a Student visa will no longer automatically allow you to apply for another Student visa while remaining in Australia.
Onshore applications will remain available only in specified circumstances.
• COMPLETING YOUR EXISTING COURSE
You may be able to apply for another Student visa onshore where you have already commenced your principal course but need additional time to complete it
