Beware of Agents Selling ‘False Hope’: Australia Tightens Student Visa Rules from 2 October

Significant changes introduced by the Australian Government to its student visa program came into effect on October 2, with the new rules applying to all visa applications lodged from that date onwards.

The reforms are among the most significant changes made to Australia’s student visa system in recent years. They are aimed at limiting the use of student visas as a pathway for foreign nationals to repeatedly apply for visas from within Australia in order to extend their temporary stay.

The changes also tighten regulations governing the inclusion of family members accompanying international students during their studies in Australia.

As a result, both current student visa holders and those planning to study in Australia will need to understand when they can apply for another student visa, where the application must be lodged, and who can be included in the application.

One of the key changes is that people currently in Australia on a student visa will no longer be able to apply from within Australia for another student visa as the primary applicant.

Previously students nearing the completion of one course could apply for a new student visa from within Australia if they intended to continue their studies through another course.

Under the new rules, a person who already holds a student visa and wishes to apply for another student visa as the primary applicant must be outside Australia when the application is lodged.

Furthermore, where an application is required to be lodged from outside Australia, the applicant must also be outside the country when the new visa is granted.