Australia Student Visa Changes Oct 2026: Onshore Rules
From 2 October 2026, Australia changed who can apply for a Student visa while already in the country, and which family members can be included.
Charlotte Whitmore
Last updated
International Education Is Still Open for Business
Australia continues to welcome international students, and the core pathway through the Student visa (subclass 500) hasn't gone anywhere. What changed on 2 October 2026 is narrower: new rules on who can apply for that visa from inside Australia, not on who can study there at all.
Fewer People Can Switch Visas Onshore Now
Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, generally can't lodge a Student visa application while they're in Australia anymore. There are real exemptions, including people sponsored by DFAT or Defence, doctoral and primary or secondary school students, and current Student Guardian (590) holders.
Bringing Family Along Needs Extra Care
Family members generally can't be added to a first or further Student visa application unless a specific exemption applies, such as doctoral study, Pacific and ASEAN nationals, or certain fully funded scholarships. Family members also can't be added to the application after the visa has already been granted.
Timing Decides Which Rules Apply to You
If your application was lodged before 2 October 2026, it's assessed under the rules that were in place when you applied, so nothing changes retroactively. Anyone holding a Student visa already granted is completely unaffected by this update.
The Smart Move Is Applying From the Start
If you're planning to study in Australia, the simplest path now is lodging your first Student visa application from outside the country rather than switching onshore later. Getting advice early, before you travel, is the single best way to make sure your visa and your family's plans line up with the current rules.
Who is exempt from the new onshore rule?
Several groups can still apply for a Student visa while in Australia, including DFAT- or Defence-sponsored students, doctoral candidates, and primary or secondary school students. Current Student Guardian (590) visa holders are also still able to apply onshore.
Can I bring my family with me under the new rules?
Generally, family members can only be included in a Student visa application if an exemption applies, such as doctoral study or certain fully funded scholarships. If your family was already included in an application lodged before 2 October 2026, they can usually carry over into a further application.
Does this affect the Student visa I already hold?
No. Existing, already-granted Student visas are not affected by this change, so current students can continue as planned.
Explore Australia's Student Visa Options →
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