Student visa (500)
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.
- Student visa lodgement
- Mostly offshore from 2 October 2026
- Student work limit
- 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session
What we do
- 01Prepare student visa applications, including the Genuine Student statement, financial capacity and English evidence, and respond to Department requests.
- 02Advise which visa comes next and whether it can be applied for in Australia.
When you need this
- Your student visa is ending and you need to know whether you can apply for the next visa from inside Australia under the rules that started on 2 October 2026.
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.
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Student visa requirements
The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test for applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024, and an intention to seek permanent residence later does not count against the applicant. The application must include a confirmation of enrolment or it is invalid. Applicants must show living costs of AUD29,710 for 12 months, or a parent's or partner's income of at least AUD87,856 (where family members can be included, AUD10,394 for a partner and AUD4,449 for each child, or income of AUD102,500, plus school fees of at least AUD13,502 a year per child), and hold Overseas Student Health Cover from the day of arrival. The current English minimum for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 is IELTS 6.0, or 5.5 with at least 10 weeks of English language study.
Student visa conditions
Work is limited to 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session, counted in 14 day blocks starting on a Monday; research masters and doctoral students are not limited. Students must maintain enrolment in a course at the same or a higher AQF level (a move from a doctorate to a master is allowed), with satisfactory attendance and progress, keep health insurance and tell their provider of their address within 7 days of arriving and within 7 days of any change.
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