Australia — Visa & Study Updates

Australia’s New Student Visa Rules Start 2 October 2026: Apply Offshore, No Dependants

From 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders in Australia can no longer lodge a subclass 500 or 590 application onshore, and most students can no longer bring a partner or children. Here is the barred-subclass list, the exemptions, and the family exceptions.

Australia to Bar Family Members for Most International Students

Announced 17 September 2026 and in force from 2 October 2026: partners and children can no longer accompany most student visa holders, with exemptions for PhD, Pacific, ASEAN and government-sponsored students. Course switching requires a new visa, and most temporary visa holders must now apply from outside Australia.

Australia Student Visa Rejection Rate Hits 20-Year High in 2026

Home Affairs data shows 24.2% of all Australian student visa applications were refused in the year to June 2026 — a ten-year high. Offshore higher education refusals hit 32.5% in February 2026, with Nepal, Bangladesh and India worst affected.

Australia Student Visa Processing Times in 2026: What to Expect

Average processing times for the Subclass 500 visa now range from 35 to 61 days, but applicants from high-risk countries can wait 8–10 weeks. Here is the full breakdown.