Australia’s Proposed 2026 Student Visa Reforms: Dependants, Course Transfers & Subclass 500 Updates

Proposed Australia student visa 2026 reforms outline plans to limit dependants, restrict course transfers, and tighten study progression for Subclass 500 holders. On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a significant overhaul of the student visa system at a National Press Club address in Canberra. These proposed changes affect who can bring family members to Australia, how you can move between courses, and what academic results you need to keep your visa.

If you are studying in Australia on a Subclass 500 (Student) visa, or you are planning to apply, these announcements matter to you. Once finalized, some rules are expected to take effect by ministerial direction (a legal order the Minister can issue without needing parliament to pass a new law), which means they can start quickly. This article explains each proposed change in plain language and tells you what to do next.

What was announced for student dependants?

Under the 17 September 2026 proposal, most prospective international students on a Subclass 500 visa, and graduates on a Temporary Graduate visa, will no longer be able to bring a partner (spouse or de facto partner) or dependent children to Australia as secondary visa holders. Previously, family members could apply as secondary applicants on the same student or graduate visa, allowing them to live and work in Australia while you studied or during your post-study work period.

This is a major policy shift. Australia has been one of the few countries where student visa holders at most study levels could bring family. The government states the change is designed to reduce net migration numbers and ensure visa holders are genuinely focused on their studies.

Who is exempt from the dependant restriction?

The government has announced that several student groups will be exempt from the new restriction and can still bring family members. These proposed exemptions include:

• Students who are nationals of Pacific nations (such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and others in the Pacific region).
• Students who are nationals of ASEAN member countries (such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and others).
• Students enrolled in a PhD program or certain higher-degree postgraduate research qualifications.

What if your family is already in Australia?

The government confirmed that students who already have family members in Australia attached to an existing secondary visa will not be affected by this announcement. The government has stated it will not separate families who are already onshore.

What family members were previously eligible?

Under current rules, you can include the following as secondary applicants on your Subclass 500 visa:

• Your spouse (husband or wife) or de facto partner (a partner you live with in a genuine relationship, without being married).
• Dependent children under 18 years of age.
• Your partner's dependent children under 18.

All of these family members must meet health and character requirements, and you need to show you can financially support them in Australia.

What are the proposed course transfer rules?

Changing your course or provider in Australia has always had rules attached. The September 2026 proposal tightens these further, introducing a clear rule: you can generally only move to a higher-level course than the one you are currently studying.

What does "higher-level" mean?

Australia uses the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), a national system that ranks qualifications from Level 1 (basic certificates) to Level 10 (Doctoral degree). Moving "higher" means moving to a qualification at a greater AQF level. For example:

The six-month rule for changing providers

Even if you want to move upward in qualification level, timing rules apply. Under Standard 7 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (the rules that govern how Australian education providers treat international students), you generally cannot transfer to a new registered provider before completing six calendar months of your principal course.

Your principal course is the main or final qualification in your study plan — not a foundation or language course that comes before it. Exceptions to the six-month rule apply if:

• Your current provider gives you a formal release letter agreeing to the transfer.
• Your current provider has stopped delivering your course.
• Your current provider has had its registration cancelled or suspended.
• A government body or the Overseas Students Ombudsman has recommended the transfer.

When is a new visa required for changing courses?

In his address, Minister Burke clarified that the government will enforce a strict qualification scale rather than requiring every transferring student to go offshore or reapply for a visa automatically. However, transferring to a different course level or extending your stay will trigger visa re-evaluations by the Department of Home Affairs to ensure the move is for genuine educational progression.

What does study progression mean?

Study progression refers to your academic performance and attendance as a student in Australia. Your student visa comes with conditions attached, primarily visa condition 8202. This condition requires you to remain enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course (CRICOS stands for Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) and make satisfactory academic progress.

Academic progress thresholds

The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 sets minimum academic standards that providers use to assess your progress. As a guide:

• You are expected to pass at least 50% of the units (subjects) you are enrolled in each study period (semester or term).
• You generally cannot attempt the same unit more than twice — though the exact limit depends on your provider's academic progress policy under the National Code framework.
• You must complete your course within the timeframe on your CoE, unless you have an approved extension.

Attendance requirements

Attendance expectations vary by course type. As a general guide:

• ELICOS courses (English language programs): a minimum of 80% attendance is required under the ELICOS Standards 2018; individual providers may set a higher threshold. Attendance is monitored regularly, often weekly. See also ASQA's overseas student attendance guidance.
• VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses: typically 80% or higher, consistent with the National Code of Practice.
• University undergraduate and postgraduate courses: attendance monitoring varies by provider, but missed tutorials and lab sessions are tracked.

Reduced study load

In most cases, you must study full time. Your provider may approve a reduced study load in limited circumstances, such as if you have a serious illness (with medical documentation) or if you are in the final semester of your course and only a few units remain. Any approved reduced load must be documented by your provider. Taking fewer subjects than your full-time load without approval is a breach of visa condition 8202.

What should you do before making a change?

Whether you are thinking about changing courses, switching providers, or bringing a family member to Australia, acting without checking the rules first puts your visa at risk. Before you do anything, work through this checklist:

1. Check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the latest published regulations on the September 2026 announcement. Implementation dates and final exemption lists will be posted at homeaffairs.gov.au.
2. Contact a registered migration agent (look for the MARA logo, which stands for Migration Agents Registration Authority) before making any changes to your enrolment or family arrangements.
3. Talk to your education provider's international student office. They can confirm whether your planned change requires a release letter, a new CoE, or a new visa application.
4. Check your CoE. Confirm the end date, the course level, and whether you are on track to complete within the approved timeframe.
5. Confirm the AQF level of any new course you are considering. Ensure it represents an upward move on the qualification scale.
6. Check whether you have completed six calendar months of your principal course. If not, you will need a release letter from your current provider before transferring.
7. Review your current visa conditions using the VEVO system (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). You can access VEVO at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
8. If you want to bring a family member, wait until the Department of Home Affairs has published the final regulations confirming exemption categories before lodging an application.
9. Keep copies of everything in writing: release letters, CoE documents, provider approvals, medical certificates, and any correspondence with your provider or the Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

The September 2026 announcement represents a significant policy shift for the Australian student visa system. If you are planning to study in Australia or are currently enrolled and considering a course transfer, ensure you stay informed through official government channels before making decisions. ApplyBoard's counsellors understand the Australian education landscape and can help you explore suitable study options.