New Student Visa Regulations Starting July 2024
As of 1 July 2024, certain visa holders, including those on Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, will no longer be able to apply for a Student visa while inside Australia.
However, students with a genuine interest in studying in Australia can still apply for a Student visa from outside the country (offshore).
Key Points to Know:
- Affected Visa Holders: Those holding a Visitor visa (Subclass 600), Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), or other specified visas will not be able to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.
- Temporary Graduate Visa Holders: Graduates should plan to leave Australia at the end of their visa or explore job opportunities that may lead to employer-sponsored visas or permanent residency if they wish to stay.
- Unaffected Visas: Holders of Working Holiday Maker (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visas will not be impacted by these changes.
- Existing Applications: If a Student visa application is submitted before 1 July 2024, it will be processed as usual, even if you are in Australia.
- Offshore Applications: You can still apply for a Student visa from outside Australia and return to wait for the decision. However, you must hold a valid visa to enter and remain in Australia during this period. Be mindful of the conditions on your visa, particularly regarding work and study limits.
- No Bridging Visas for Offshore Applicants: If you apply for a Student visa from outside Australia, you will not be eligible for a Bridging visa to remain in the country while your application is processed.
- Visitor Visa Study Limit: Visitor visa holders can study for up to three months. For longer periods, you must apply for a Student visa from outside Australia.
Impacted Visas:
Visa holders of the following subclasses will be unable to apply for a Student visa while in Australia:
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
- Subclass 600 (Visitor)
- Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
- Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
- Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
- Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
These are in addition to visa subclasses that already prohibit onshore Student visa applications, including:
- Subclass 403 (Temporary Work – International Relations) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
- Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
- Subclass 771 (Transit)
- Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
Reason for the Changes:
This change aims to address the issue of “permanent temporariness,” where individuals extend their stay through various temporary visas without meeting the criteria for permanent residency. It is part of a broader Migration Strategy by the Australian Government, designed to protect the integrity of the international education system while supporting genuine students.
How to Apply for a Student Visa:
If you’re planning to apply for a Student visa:
- Apply early: Start your application from offshore as early as possible and monitor updates on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.
- Clear Study Plans: Make sure your study pathway shows clear course progression to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement in your visa application.
For more detailed guidance on how to apply, check our ‘How to Apply for Your Student Visa’ page.
