Australia’s New Student Visa Rules From 2 October: What Indian Students Need To Know

New Australian student visa rules took effect on 2 October 2026. Temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, can no longer apply for a student visa from inside Australia and generally must apply from abroad. Current student visa holders seeking another student visa face tighter conditions, with exemptions for certain PhD and school students, government-sponsored students, and those who need more time to finish their course.

Non-school international students must generally complete 12 months of their principal course before switching to another registered provider, up from six months; this stays in place until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, a new transfer stream will apply for moves from higher education to vocational training, and students will generally need the new visa before starting at the new provider.

Indian students made up 16% of the 687,810 international students in Australia in the year to June 2026, the second-largest group after China. Applications lodged before 2 October are reportedly assessed under the old rules. Check the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.