New visa rules for Australian students may force some international students to apply from overseas

Some international students in Australia may have to leave the country to apply for another Student visa if they change education providers or need additional time to complete their course, according to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

The requirement applies to students who do not qualify for the course completion exemption that allows them to apply for another Student visa while in Australia. The department has clarified that affected applicants must be outside the country both when they lodge their application and when the new visa is granted.

Also read:US visa, green card applicants: What changed under USCIS filing deadline rules from October 23


The rules are relevant to Indian students who are already studying in Australia and need a new visa to complete their education.

Who needs to apply for a student visa from outside Australia?

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the requirement covers two situations. The first is when a student changes education providers after their current Student visa has been granted and needs another visa to finish the course.

The second is when a student needs more than 12 months to complete their course, and their education provider has granted them additional time to finish their studies. These students will also need a new Student visa to complete their course.

In both cases, students do not meet the course completion exemption for applying for another visa from within Australia.

The department has specified that applicants covered by these conditions must be outside Australia at the time of lodging their application. They must also remain outside the country until the new visa is granted.

Also read: Australia to tighten visa rules from October 31, with tougher character checks

Can students return to Australia to finish their studies?

Having to apply from overseas does not automatically mean students will be unable to return to Australia to complete their education.

The Department of Home Affairs states that students can still apply for another Student visa to finish their course. However, they must meet the visa requirements, and approval is not guaranteed. This means that students who change institutions or receive an extension to their course should check their visa circumstances before making travel arrangements or planning the next stage of their studies.

They should also account for the possibility that their application may not be approved, as the department does not guarantee a new visa even when an applicant needs additional time to complete their course.

What should Indian students check before applying?

Indian students already in Australia should establish whether their circumstances fall within either of the two categories specified by the department.

Students who have changed education providers since receiving their current visa, or whose providers have extended their course completion period beyond 12 months, should check whether they qualify for the exemption before lodging another application.

The department's guidance makes clear that the requirement to apply from outside Australia applies to students who do not meet the exemption. It should not be interpreted as a blanket rule requiring every international student seeking another Student visa to leave Australia.

Students should consult the Department of Home Affairs' official guidance on applying for another Student visa before deciding when and where to lodge their application.