Australia's new student visa rules: most Indian students can no longer bring family or switch visas onshore

Australia’s student visa rules changed on 2 October 2026 under the Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026. The government says the reforms are meant to curtail “visa hopping”, and SBS News reports they are part of Labor’s plan to bring net overseas migration down to 225,000 by 2028. For Indian families, two parts matter most: who can come with the student, and where the application must be made.

Step 1: Check whether your family can come with you

New Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent children unless an exemption applies. Home Affairs lists these exempt groups:

• PhD students;
• students sponsored by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or Department of Defence;
• recipients of foreign government scholarships;
• eligible students from Pacific countries and ASEAN member countries.

India is in neither of the country groups. In practice, an Indian student going for a bachelor’s or master’s degree without a government scholarship can no longer bring a partner or children on the Student visa.

Families already together in Australia are largely protected. Home Affairs says students who already have family members on their current Student visa, and who are eligible to apply from inside Australia, may be able to include them in their next application. The Explanatory Statement to the regulations says the changes are not meant to affect children born in Australia to a Student visa holder.

Step 2: Do not plan to add family later

Until now, many students arrived first and brought their partner or children later as “subsequent entrants”. That option has ended. Home Affairs says family members cannot be added to a Student visa after it is granted, and there are no exemptions. If your family qualifies under an exemption, include them in the first application.

Step 3: Check where you must apply from

Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. They must be outside Australia when they lodge and when the visa is granted.

Current students who need a new Student visa generally must also apply from offshore. Home Affairs lists limited exemptions, among them school and PhD students, students whose education provider has defaulted, students affected by a course deferral, students who need up to 12 more months to finish with the same provider, and students moving up to a higher qualification level. Someone on a Student visa as a dependant who now wants their own Student visa as the main applicant must apply from outside Australia; there is no exemption.

Step 4: Think twice before changing provider

Assistant Minister Julian Hill’s office says that until a new transfer visa starts on 1 July 2027, students other than school students must stay 12 months in their main course before moving provider, up from six months. The new transfer stream will allow moves only to the same or a higher qualification level, and not from higher education to vocational training. SBS News reports that switching provider will need a new visa, with a fee expected to be about half the original Student visa fee.

Step 5: If you applied before 2 October

The regulations say the new rules apply to visa applications made on or after 2 October 2026, so applications lodged before that date, including those that listed family members, are decided under the old rules. Home Affairs says the changes do not affect a Student visa you already hold.

Assistant Minister Julian Hill’s office says similar restrictions will apply to Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas, without separating families already in Australia. Check the Home Affairs subclass 485 page for when and how this applies before making plans.

These rules are detailed and exemptions turn on individual facts. Check the Home Affairs pages for your situation, and use a registered migration agent if you need advice.

Key dates

• 2 October 2026: new Student visa rules on family members and onshore applications take effect.
• 1 July 2027: new visa for students transferring between providers is due to start; until then, the 12-month rule applies.