This page provides general information only and is not migration advice. Visa rules change often. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website, and for advice about your own situation, speak to a registered migration agent or lawyer. Find a registered migration agent (OMARA register).
A plain-English summary of recent changes to Australian student visa rules, newest first, for students, parents and education agents. Each change links to the official source.
Recent changes
Most people can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia, or add family members
From 2 October 2026, most people in Australia, including most current Student visa holders, cannot lodge a new Student or Student Guardian visa application while in Australia unless an exemption applies (for example PhD study, moving up to a higher-level course, or needing up to 12 more months with the same provider). Most applicants also can no longer include a partner or children, and family members cannot be added after the visa is granted. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the earlier rules.
Who is affected: Students already in Australia planning a further Student visa, and anyone planning to bring a partner or children.
Home Affairs updated the Evidence Levels it assigns to countries and education providers, effective 30 September 2026, as part of its twice-yearly review. Evidence Levels set what financial capacity and English language evidence an applicant may need to provide. Individual levels are not published, so applicants should check the Document Checklist Tool for their own country and provider.
Who is affected: New Student visa applicants, and the agents who help them prepare documents.
2027 National Planning Level confirmed at 295,000 new students
The Australian Government confirmed a National Planning Level of 295,000 new overseas student commencements for 2027, the same as 2026. It is not a cap: it sets the processing priority for Student visa applications lodged outside Australia. Once an education provider reaches its allocation, applications are still accepted but processed more slowly.
Who is affected: Students applying from outside Australia, especially to providers that fill their allocation early.
For applications lodged from 1 July 2026, the Student visa application charge rose from A$2,000 to A$2,500. Applicants with passports from ASEAN countries or certain Pacific countries and Timor-Leste, and applicants for standalone English (ELICOS) or non-award courses, continue to pay the previous charge with an annual CPI adjustment.
Who is affected: Everyone applying for a Student visa, with the concessions listed.
For Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) applications lodged from 1 March 2026, the main applicant charge rose from A$2,300 to A$4,600, and charges for family members rose in line. Eligible applicants from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste are exempt from the increase.
Who is affected: Graduates planning to stay and work in Australia after their studies.
New processing rules for offshore applications (Ministerial Direction 115)
From 14 November 2025, Student visa applications lodged outside Australia are prioritised under Ministerial Direction 115, which replaced Direction 111. Education providers that keep their new international student numbers within their allocation receive higher processing priority. Applications lodged before 14 November 2025 continue under the earlier direction.
Who is affected: Students applying from outside Australia.
This page provides general information only and is not migration advice. Visa rules change often. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website, and for advice about your own situation, speak to a registered migration agent or lawyer. Find a registered migration agent (OMARA register).