Visitor & TGV visas cannot apply for Student Visas Onshore

Date: 13 June 2024

As part of the release of the Migration Strategy, the government announced changes to Student visa eligibility. These changes will restrict certain temporary visa holders from applying for a Student visa while in Australia.

From 1 July 2024, Temporary Graduate, Visitor and Maritime Crew visa holders will be unable to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.

In addition to existing visas from which it is already not possible to apply for a Student visa onshore, the complete list of visa holders that will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore are:

Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
Subclass 600 (Visitor)
Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
Subclass 771 (Transit)
Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations)) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)

VISA HOPPING

Visa hopping has led to an increasing number of ‘permanently temporary’ former international students residing in Australia. The new changes, alongside other measures, aim to close this loophole and end this practice.

The Department has advised Temporary Graduate Visa holders to either leave Australia or secure skilled employment and/or explore other visa pathways that could lead to permanent residency. Visitor visa applicants intending to study will need to apply for a Student visa from outside Australia.

Genuine Student visa applicants wishing to pursue studies in Australia can apply from offshore. Those meeting the criteria will be granted a Student visa.