Australia student visa rules changed on 2 October 2026: onshore applications and family members

The Department of Home Affairs changed the rules for Student and Student Guardian visa applications from 2 October 2026. The changes decide who can apply from inside Australia and who can bring family. They apply to new applications only.

Who can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore

Most temporary visa holders in Australia, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, can no longer lodge a Student or Student Guardian application while they are in Australia. Current Student visa holders applying for another Student visa are also barred, including dependants who apply in their own right, unless an exemption applies. If you are barred, you must be outside Australia when you lodge and when the visa is granted.

Exemptions: when you can still apply for another Student visa in Australia

• You need up to 12 more months to finish your studies with the same provider.
• You are sponsored by DFAT or Defence.
• You are studying a PhD.
• You are in primary or secondary school.
• You are completing a course with an AQF level and moving to a higher AQF level. Higher education students must move to a higher education course at a higher education provider.
• You are finishing school and moving to a course with no AQF level, or finishing a non-AQF course and moving to an AQF course.
• Your education provider has defaulted and you cannot continue.

Family members on a Student visa

Student applicants generally cannot include a partner or dependent children, including on a further Student visa application. Current Student visa holders cannot add family members after the visa is granted, and there are no exemptions to that.

• Family can still be included for PhD students, students sponsored by DFAT or Defence, students on foreign government scholarships, and eligible students from Pacific or ASEAN member countries.
• If family members are already on your current Student visa and you apply onshore, you may be able to include them in your next application.
• The main applicant and all included family must be in the same location when the application is lodged.

What Indian students and families should do now

1. 1If you are applying from India, plan to apply from outside Australia. These rules affect people who are already in Australia on another visa.
2. 2If you want to bring a spouse or children, check whether you fall under an exemption before you accept an offer. For most taught courses you will not.
3. 3If you are already in Australia and want to change course or provider, check the exemption list first. A sideways move or a move to a cheaper provider generally does not qualify.
4. 4Budget as if you will be studying without family for the first year, and compare the plan with other destinations.

General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules, fees and deadlines change; we confirm what applies at your consultation.