Australia has announced a package of international education and visa reforms aimed at reducing net migration, including tighter limits on student dependants, tougher controls on switching courses or providers, and a new “no further stay” condition for some visitor visas. The changes were outlined by Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke at the National Press Club on 17 September and are part of a wider plan to bring net overseas migration down from 292,000 to 225,000 by 2027/28.
Key facts
- Most international students will no longer be able to bring family members to Australia while they study.
- PhD students, Pacific students, ASEAN students and overseas government-sponsored students are excluded from that restriction.
- Students changing provider or course will generally need to apply for a new student visa, with some exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
- Australia plans a new “no further stay” condition for some visitor visas, including short ELICOS, university and VET courses of three months or less.
- The government says net overseas migration should fall from 292,000 to 245,000 in 2026/27 and to 225,000 in 2027/28.
What do the new rules mean for students and universities?
The biggest immediate change is for students who want to study in Australia with family members. Under the new settings, most international students will no longer be able to add dependants to their student visa. The main exceptions are PhD, Pacific, ASEAN and overseas government-sponsored students, while people whose family is already attached to a visa and already in Australia will not be separated onshore.
The government is also moving to curb what it described as “visa hopping.” Students who want to switch providers or courses will generally need a fresh student visa, and continuing study will be limited to moving up the qualification ladder rather than jumping between courses. A separate change would attach a “no further stay” condition to certain visitor visas, affecting some short English-language and short university or vocational courses.
For universities and education providers, the rules appear designed to discourage study pathways that are being used to extend residence rather than education. The sector has also been told that the broader migration settings are being aligned with the aim of lowering long-term migration outcomes linked to international study.
Which students are still allowed to bring dependants?
PhD students remain the clearest group exempt from the new dependants restriction. The same applies to students from Pacific and ASEAN countries, along with overseas government-sponsored students. Industry groups said that exemption matters because research-heavy institutions rely on international doctoral candidates, while many other student cohorts are more likely to choose Australia if family accompaniment is allowed.
Minister Burke said the government would not be breaking up families already onshore. Instead, the policy stops new student visa holders from automatically bringing family members in the future, which is intended to reduce the long-term migration impact of student visas.
How is Australia linking student rules to migration targets?
The changes are part of a broader migration strategy. The government wants net overseas migration to fall to 245,000 in 2026/27 and 225,000 in 2027/28, down from the current 292,000 figure cited in the announcement. International education is being used as one lever to help reach that target, especially because students who arrive with family are seen as more likely to stay long term.
That policy direction has prompted mixed industry reaction. Some groups welcomed the tougher line on visa-hopping, but others warned that the dependants ban could push genuine students to choose competing destinations instead of Australia.
What are universities saying?
Universities Australia said international commencements are already tracking below planning levels, falling 8% year on year, while visa charges and processing delays are making Australia harder to choose. Its chief executive, Luke Sheehy, argued that if Australia says 295,000 students is sustainable, policy settings should make that target achievable.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said the PhD exemption recognises that high-quality doctoral students are important to Australia’s research capability, skills pipeline and long-term economic strength. Separately, IEAA chief executive Phil Honeywood warned that the cumulative effect of higher visa charges and restrictive policy announcements could damage Australia’s reputation as a study destination.
Frequently asked questions
Will families of current international students be forced to leave Australia?
No. Minister Burke said the government will not break up families already onshore. The new restriction applies to adding family members to student visas going forward, rather than removing dependants who are already in Australia under existing arrangements.
Which study pathways are being targeted by the new visa rules?
The changes are aimed at course-switching and repeated study moves that authorities see as “visa hopping.” Students wanting to change provider or course will generally need a new visa, and the government says students should only move up the qualification scale, not hop around between different institutions to extend their stay.
