Australia implements new student visa regulations

The Australian government has introduced new student visa rules aimed at reducing net overseas migration. Under the updated regulations, most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) while remaining within Australia. Applicants required to apply offshore must be outside the country when their new visa is granted.

The changes also restrict the ability of most student visa applicants to include spouses or dependent children on their visas, with exceptions for specific groups such as doctoral students. These measures are part of a broader government plan to lower annual net overseas migration from approximately 300,000 to 225,000 by mid-2028.

Immigration experts have raised concerns regarding the impact on students who change courses or need to extend their studies, as they may be forced to leave the country and face lengthy processing times. Additionally, university officials have warned that policy uncertainty and higher rejection rates could lead to enrollment shortages.