Are you planning your trip to Australia? Or are you already there and want to continue your studies? From October 2nd, there are new rules you should be aware of before paying for a course or making plans with your partner.
The changes affect visa applications within Australia, the courses you can study afterward, and the family members who can accompany you. The conditions for transferring to another school have also changed.
We’ll tell you what you should keep in mind, with examples and official sources.
1. In most cases, you will need to apply for the visa from outside Australia.
From October 2, 2026 , most student visa applications must be submitted from outside Australia . You can only apply within Australia if you have an eligible visa and meet one of the exceptions. immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
This affects, for example, those who are there on a Working Holiday visa or certain temporary work visas and want to stay to study. They can no longer rely on making that change from Australia. Minister for Home Affairs
Do you have to return to your home country? Not necessarily. “From outside” means being outside Australia, but you should check where you can apply and how to arrange your wait. If you don’t qualify for an in-country exception, you must also be outside the country when your visa is granted. Home Affairs
If you were planning to travel first and choose the course once you’re there, it’s a good idea to review that plan before buying your flights.
2. To apply for another visa without leaving Australia, one of the exceptions requires improving your academic level.
If you finish your course and want to continue studying, one of the exceptions for applying for another Student Visa in Australia requires progressing to a higher-level qualification . You must also meet the other requirements of that exception. Home Affairs
In vocational training, these are examples of how you can advance to the next level:
| If you’re finished… | A higher-level course would be… |
|---|---|
| Certificate III, Level 3 | Certificate IV, Level 4 |
| Certificate IV, Level 4 | Diploma, Level 5 |
| Diploma, Level 5 | Advanced Diploma, Level 6 |
These are the official levels of Australian qualifications. You don’t have to complete them all or necessarily follow this sequence. The next program will depend on what you want to study and its entry requirements. Australian Qualifications Framework
For example, if you complete a Certificate III and want to study for a Certificate IV, you would be moving up a level. If you complete a Certificate IV and enroll in another Certificate IV, even in a different subject, you would remain at the same level and would not meet this progression requirement. Australian Qualifications Framework
Subir de nivel, por sí solo, no garantiza que puedas solicitar el visado dentro de Australia. Australian Way te ayuda a revisar el curso que has terminado, qué quieres estudiar después y si puedes presentar la solicitud sin salir del país.
3. Cambiar de escuela será más difícil durante los primeros doce meses
Desde el 2 de octubre de 2026 hasta el 30 de junio de 2027, el periodo de restricción para cambiar de escuela pasa de seis a doce meses del curso principal para quienes no cursan estudios escolares. Hay excepciones que permiten solicitar el cambio antes. Department of Education
Aquí hay un detalle que puede confundirte: si llevas un pack de inglés y formación profesional, el curso principal suele ser el último del paquete. Por tanto, esos doce meses no se cuentan necesariamente desde que llegas o empiezas las clases de inglés. Home Affairs
Además, a partir del 1 de julio de 2027, habrá una nueva vía de visado para cambiar de centro. Tendrás que obtenerlo antes de empezar en la nueva escuela y conservará la fecha de vencimiento del anterior. Minister for Home Affairs
Por eso merece la pena dedicar tiempo a elegir la escuela y conocer el curso y sus condiciones antes de matricularte.
4. Ya no puedes incluir a tu pareja o hijos en una nueva Student Visa, salvo excepciones
Desde el 2 de octubre de 2026, la regla general es que no puedes incluir a tu pareja o hijos dependientes en una nueva solicitud de visado de estudiante.
Las excepciones contemplan a:
- Estudiantes de doctorado o PhD.
- Estudiantes de determinados países del Pacífico o de la ASEAN, la Asociación de Naciones del Sudeste Asiático.
- Estudiantes patrocinados por los departamentos australianos de Defensa o de Asuntos Exteriores y Comercio, DFAT.
- Estudiantes con una beca de un gobierno extranjero que financie completamente sus estudios en Australia.
- Personas cuya pareja o hijos ya estén incluidos en su visado de estudiante actual, en determinadas situaciones y cumpliendo los requisitos correspondientes. Home Affairs
Cuando se permite incluir familiares, deben solicitar el visado al mismo tiempo y desde el mismo lugar que el estudiante. Ya no se puede añadir a la pareja o a los hijos más adelante, después de aprobarse el visado. Las solicitudes presentadas antes del 2 de octubre se evalúan con las reglas anteriores. Home Affairs
Si quieres viajar acompañado, Australian Way te ayuda a comprobar si puedes hacerlo y qué requisitos necesita cumplir tu familia antes de organizar el viaje.
5. ¿Puedes llevar un pack de inglés y formación profesional desde fuera de Australia?
Yes, you can apply for a visa that includes both courses before you travel , provided one leads to the other and you meet the requirements. You must include enrollment confirmations for both programs in your application. Home Affairs
If you want to improve your English to later access a vocational course at the required level, it’s advisable to consider this option from the beginning. You can prepare for the English course you need first and then for the vocational training, known as VET.
This way you can request that the visa covers both courses, instead of traveling only with the English course and assuming that you can apply for another visa when you finish it.
From October 2, 2026 , applicants for another Student Visa within Australia generally cannot include a new package, except in specific cases. Home Affairs
Australian Way helps you assess how much English you need and which vocational course best suits your study goals. The package must make sense for your objectives and meet the requirements; however, booking it does not guarantee visa approval.
6. If you were planning to study for a Graduate Diploma of Management, check which one is
The change specifically affects the BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) .
From October 5, 2026 , this course cannot admit or start new international students. Registration confirmations for those who had not yet begun the course are also cancelled. Those who had already started may continue according to applicable regulations. ASQA
If this name appears in your quote or package, please consult with Australian Way before proceeding to review alternatives.
How do these changes affect your trip?
It depends on where you are, what visa you have, and what you want to study. It also depends on whether you’re going alone or with your family.
If you’re planning your trip or finishing a course in Australia, Australian Way helps you review your situation before booking the next step . You can request a free session to discuss your options with the team.
Official sources consulted
- Student visa: requirements and application, Home Affairs.
- Student visa reforms of October 2, 2026.
- Australian Qualifications Framework.
- Rules for including family members, Home Affairs.
- Changes for international students, Department of Education.
- Cancellation of the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning), ASQA.
