Australia tightens onshore student applications and family inclusion

The Student Visa Reform Regulations were registered on 1 October 2026 and commenced the next day. They apply to applications lodged from 2 October. Certain current Student visa holders seeking another subclass 500 visa must be outside Australia when applying and when the visa is granted, subject to specified exemptions.^[1]

Onshore exceptions include eligible progression to a higher course and up to 12 extra months after the original end date to complete a course with the same provider; for packaged courses, this applies only to the main course. Doctoral, school, Defence and Foreign Affairs categories have other exceptions. Family inclusion is also restricted, with exceptions including doctoral, specified government-sponsored, and eligible Pacific or ASEAN applicants. Specified existing student dependants can be included in a further onshore application with the primary applicant. The post-grant subsequent-entrant route is closed.^[2][3]

Applications lodged before 2 October remain assessed under the earlier rules. Current visas remain valid. Applicants should check the date, visa category and location of each family member rather than assume a universal offshore requirement or family ban.^[1][3]

This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.