What Australia Expects of Education Agents After the October 2026 Student Visa Changes

The Australian government expects education agents to fully understand the Student visa changes that took effect on 2 October 2026, advise students on how the new in‑Australia application limits and family‑member restrictions affect their plans, and direct them to the Department of Home Affairs for case‑specific guidance. Agents must also stay across the proposed Transfer stream for provider changes and upcoming Temporary Graduate visa family‑member rules, both of which are still under development.

Key changes effective 2 October 2026

In‑Australia Student visa applications now restricted

Most temporary visa holders — including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders — can no longer apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) while in Australia.
Student visa holders generally cannot apply for another Student visa in Australia unless an exemption applies.
Applicants required to apply from outside Australia must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Current Student visas are not affected.

Family‑member inclusions limited

First‑time and subsequent Student visa applicants can no longer include family members unless an exemption applies.
Family members cannot be added after a Student visa is granted; there are no exemptions to this rule.
Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the rules at lodgement.

Exemptions for in‑Australia Student visa applications

Exemption category	Details
Sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence	Applies to in‑Australia applications
Doctoral degree, primary or secondary school studies	Applies to in‑Australia applications
Provider default (education provider cannot deliver the course)	Applies to in‑Australia applications
Up to 12 additional months to complete studies with the same provider	Applies to in‑Australia applications
Completed main course and progressing to a higher‑level course	Applies to in‑Australia applications

Exemptions for family‑member inclusions

Exemption category	Details
Doctoral students	May include family members
Nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries	May include family members
Fully‑funded foreign government scholarship recipients	May include family members
Sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence	May include family members

Existing families in Australia

Transitional arrangements allow the same family members to be included in a new Student visa application if they were included in the visa or visa application before 2 October 2026 and the holder is eligible to apply for a further Student visa in Australia.

Proposed further reforms (details not yet published)

Transfer stream: A new Transfer stream within the Student visa subclass is intended for students changing education providers. Student visa holders who change providers will need to apply through this stream. The Australian Government is still developing details; further information will be made public at the appropriate time.
Temporary Graduate visa family restrictions: Restrictions on including family members in Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) applications will be introduced. More information will become available as the reform progresses.

What agents must do now

Familiarise themselves with the changed Student visa application requirements.
Consider how the changes affect students’ study and visa plans.
Be aware that most temporary visa holders must now be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted (unless exempt).
Understand family‑member restrictions and exemptions for specified cohorts.
Know that family members cannot be added after grant, with no exemptions.
Recognise that the Transfer stream and Temporary Graduate family restrictions are still being developed.
Advise students to understand the new rules before making visa, study, travel, or relocation plans.
Refer students to the Department of Home Affairs for the latest requirements and individual circumstances.

Individual circumstances

Visa outcomes depend on the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements. For advice on individual cases, applicants should contact a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).