Starting July 1, 2024, individuals seeking Australian student visas must apply from outside the country. This change affects holders of specific visas, such as Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, who can no longer apply for Student visas while in Australia. Applications submitted within Australia before July 1, 2024, will still be processed, and holders of Working Holiday Maker and Work and Holiday visas are unaffected.
The Australian government emphasized that only offshore applicants who demonstrate a genuine intention to pursue studies in Australia will be considered for student visas.
The Australian government has advised temporary graduates to plan to leave the country when their visas expire or explore job opportunities that could lead to employer-sponsored visas or permanent residency if they wish to remain in Australia. According to the recent “Graduates in Limbo” report by the Grattan Institute, 32 percent of Temporary Graduate Visa holders are opting to return to study to extend their stay in Australia beyond their visa’s duration.
These changes align with further reforms set to take effect on July 1 for Temporary Graduate visa holders. The reforms include significantly shorter post-study work rights, a decrease in age eligibility from 50 to 35 years, and stricter English language proficiency requirements introduced in March.
Prospective students can apply for their Student visa from abroad and travel to Australia while waiting for their visa decision. However, they must have or obtain a visa that allows entry and residence in Australia during this time. Offshore Student visa applicants are not eligible for a Bridging visa to stay in Australia while their application is being processed.
Under the new regulations, holders of visitor visas are permitted to study for up to three months while their visa is valid. Individuals planning to pursue studies exceeding this period must apply for a Student visa from outside Australia.
Certain visa holders in Australia are now prohibited from applying for a Student visa while within the country. Specifically affected visa types include
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
- Subclass 600 (Visitor)
- Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
- Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
- Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
- Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
Additionally, certain visa holders are already ineligible to lodge valid Student visa applications while in Australia.
- Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) under the International Relations (Domestic Worker – Diplomatic or Consular) stream
- Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
- Subclass 771 (Transit)
- Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary – primary visa holders only)