The Australian Government is committed to enhancing the integrity of the Student visa program to ensure visas are granted to genuine students and to provide opportunities for these students to contribute to Australia’s economic growth.
As part of the newly released Migration Strategy, the Australian government announced changes to Student visa eligibility. Starting 1 July 2024, certain temporary visa holders will be restricted from applying for a Student visa while in Australia. Specifically, holders of Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas will no longer be able to apply for a Student visa onshore. This restriction will add to the existing list of visas from which onshore applications for a Student visa are not permitted. The complete list of visa holders who will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore includes:
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
- Subclass 600 (Visitor)
- Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
- Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
- Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
- Subclass 771 (Transit)
- Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
- Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
- Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
- Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
The issue of visa hopping has led to a growing number of ‘permanently temporary’ former international students living in Australia. These changes, along with other measures, aim to close this loophole and end this practice.
The Department of Home Affairs confirms that the Temporary Graduate visa holders should either depart Australia or seek skilled employment and other visa pathways, including those that may lead to permanent residency. Visitor visa applicants intending to study will be required to apply for their Student visa from offshore. Genuine Student visa applicants can apply from outside Australia and, if they meet the criteria, will be granted a Student visa.
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