Australia implements new student visa rules restricting family reunification

Australia has implemented new regulations for Student (subclass 500) and Student Guardian (subclass 590) visas, effective 2 October 2026. The changes primarily restrict the ability of international students to include partners or dependent children in their visa arrangements.

Under the new framework, most student visa holders can no longer add family members after their initial visas have been granted. This restriction applies to new applications and those seeking to extend their stay within the country. The Department of Home Affairs stated, “There are no exemptions to this rule,” for most applicants, though specific exceptions exist.

Exemptions are limited to certain groups, including PhD students, recipients of foreign government scholarships, and students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence. Additionally, students from Pacific countries and ASEAN member nations may qualify for exemptions. These changes significantly impact large international student populations, including those from Ghana and Nepal, as Nepal is not an ASEAN member.