Starting 1 July 2024, specific visa holders, including those on Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, will no longer be able to apply for a Student visa while in Australia. This new regulation affects individuals who plan to study in Australia and may require them to apply for a Student visa from offshore.

What You Need to Know:

Key highlights of these changes include:

• Impact on Visitor and Temporary Graduate Visa Holders: Holders of Visitor visas (Subclass 600), Temporary Graduate visas (Subclass 485), and other specified visa types will not be able to apply for Student visas while remaining in Australia.
• Temporary Graduate Visa Holders: Those on Temporary Graduate visas should depart Australia at the end of their visa term or explore job opportunities that could lead to employer-sponsored visas or permanent residency.
• Exceptions: Holders of Working Holiday Maker (Subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visas are not affected by this change.
• Current Applications Unaffected: Student visa applications submitted onshore before 1 July 2024 will continue to be processed without interruption.
• Offshore Application: After 1 July 2024, you can still apply for a Student visa from outside Australia. However, you must have a valid visa to enter Australia while waiting for the outcome. Offshore Student visa applicants are not eligible for a Bridging visa to stay in Australia during the application process.

Affected Visa Subclasses:

This regulation primarily affects individuals holding the following visa subclasses:

• Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
• Subclass 600 (Visitor)
• Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
• Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
• Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
• Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)

Additionally, the following visas already restrict onshore Student visa applications:

• Subclass 403 (Temporary Work – International Relations) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
• Subclass 771 (Transit)
• Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary)

Why Is This Change Taking Place?

This policy aims to address the increasing trend of "permanent temporariness," where individuals prolong their stay in Australia without qualifying for permanent residency. By implementing these measures, the Australian Government is reinforcing the integrity of its international education system, ensuring that only genuine students receive Student visas.

Applying for a Student Visa

To comply with the new regulations:

• Apply for your Student visa from offshore, and stay informed about ongoing visa changes on the Department of Home Affairs website.
• Ensure your study plans reflect a clear academic progression to satisfy the Genuine Student Requirement, a key part of the visa application process.

Need Support with Your Visa Application?

If you need assistance or have questions about the new regulations, our certified counsellors at Landmark Education are here to help. Contact us today for personalized guidance at 014542781 or connect with us via Zoom. We're here to make the process as smooth as possible for you!

Zoom Link

Source: Department of Home Affairs, Australian Government