Immigration Law
Student and temporary visas
Temporary visas carry the conditions that cause most of the trouble later: a work limit breached, a course changed, a no further stay condition nobody noticed, a travel facility that expired while the holder was overseas. Sun Lawyers advises students, graduates, visitors and permanent residents on temporary visas and bridging visas, and on the next step before the current visa ends. We work in English and Mandarin.
- Student visa lodgement
- Mostly offshore from 2 October 2026
- Student work limit
- 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session
- Temporary Graduate 485
- 2 years bachelor or coursework master; 3 years research or doctorate
- Work and Holiday 462
- Chinese passport holders aged 18 to 30, by ballot, 5,000 places
What we do
- 01Advise which visa comes next and whether it can be applied for in Australia.
- 02Act in refusals, cancellations and condition breach matters; see also our page on visa refusals and review.
When you need this
- You have received a notice about a breach of a visa condition, or your visa has been refused or cancelled.
Who you will work with
Jing Sun
Principal Solicitor · Notary Public
Founder and Principal Solicitor with 16+ years across commercial, corporate, litigation and immigration law. Also a Notary Public.
ProfilePoints worth knowing
Most student visa applications must now be lodged offshore
From 2 October 2026, holders of a Visitor (600), Temporary Graduate (485), Working Holiday (417/462), Skills in Demand (482), Training (407) or Temporary Activity (408) visa, among others, cannot apply for a student visa in Australia, with no exemptions. Primary student visa holders can apply onshore only under six exemptions, including needing up to 12 more months to finish the same course with the same provider, progressing to a course at a higher AQF level (higher education graduates must progress to another higher education course), a PhD, or school study. Most student visa applicants can no longer include family members, and family cannot join later as subsequent entrants.
How we work
- 01A first conversation in English or Mandarin about your current visa, its conditions and expiry date, and what you want to do next.
- 02Before any work starts, we confirm the scope of work and our fees in writing.
- 03We lodge in time, keep you informed, and tell you in writing what the conditions of the new visa require of you.
Common questions
My student visa expires soon and I want to start another course. Can I apply from inside Australia?
Only if you hold a student visa as the main applicant and fit one of the six exemptions, for example moving to a higher AQF level or needing up to 12 more months with the same provider. Holders of visitor, graduate and working holiday visas must apply from outside Australia.
This page is general information about Australian immigration law and is not legal advice. Please contact us about your own situation.
Last updated: October 2026