It depends on the visa you hold and the course you want to study. Under new rules that started on 2 October 2026, many people in Australia must now apply for a Student visa from outside Australia, and be outside Australia when it is granted. This post walks through the questions to ask in order.

Question 1: What visa do you hold today?

Holders of 17 listed visa classes must apply from outside Australia. They include the Temporary Graduate 485, Skills in Demand and Temporary Skill Shortage 482, Working Holiday 417, Work and Holiday 462, Visitor 600, ETA 601 and eVisitor 651, among others. The full list is on our main page about the changes.

Question 2: Do you already hold a Student visa?

Current Student visa holders applying for another Student visa as the primary applicant must apply from outside Australia unless they fall within an exempt group. The exempt groups are doctoral students, students affected by provider default, students completing their principal course within 12 months of the confirmation of enrolment end date with the same provider, students moving one step up to a higher AQF level, school students, and Defence and Foreign Affairs students.

Question 3: Do you currently hold a substantive visa?

To apply in Australia you generally need to hold a substantive visa. A bridging visa is not a substantive visa. The Migration Regulations allow an onshore application without a substantive visa only in two narrow situations, both with a 28-day deadline: one for certain former special purpose or diplomatic dependant visa holders, and one for a student whose cancelled visa was set aside by the Administrative Review Tribunal after the visa had ended. In either case, the applicant must not have previously been granted a visa based on an application made when they did not hold a substantive visa.

Question 4: When did you lodge?

Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged. The new rules apply to applications made on or after that date.

Being outside Australia at grant

Where the offshore rule applies, you must be outside Australia when the visa is granted, not only when you lodge. Time your travel and study plans with this in mind.

Before you enrol, travel or lodge

• Write down your current visa, its expiry date and your conditions.
• Check which exemption, if any, matches your course history.
• Do not lodge in Australia until you are sure the application will be valid. An application that does not meet the rules will not be considered.

Can a visitor visa holder apply for a Student visa in Australia?

No. Visitor 600, ETA 601 and eVisitor 651 holders must apply from outside Australia.

I am on a bridging visa. Can I apply in Australia?

Only in the narrow situations the regulations allow. A bridging visa on its own is not enough. Please get advice before lodging.

Can I get my 485 and then study onshore?

Holding a 485 visa means a further Student visa application must be made from outside Australia.

Related reading

• Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
• Changing course on a Student visa
• Student visa family members: what changed
• Student visa expiring? Your options
• Student visa services

Sources: Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 (F2026L01347); Migration (Student Visa Applications to Be Made from outside Australia) Instrument 2026 (F2026L01348); Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026 (F2026L01349), on the Federal Register of Legislation; Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500).

Not sure how this affects you? Book a consultation with OVEC: https://calendar.app.google/oEub5pf6SdCmF4Sf7

General information only, not legal or migration advice. Every case turns on its own facts and the rules may change. Book a consultation to check your situation. OVEC, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1170438.