On 13 June 2024, the government announced that starting 1 July 2024 there will be new measures introduced restricting onshore (applying for visa while in Australia) applications for student visa.

As at the time of writing there are restrictions on some visa holders who can apply for a student visa while in Australia. They are:

  • Domestic worker accompanying diplomats and consular staff.
  • People transiting though Australia to other destinations
  • Diplomats (primary visa holders only)

From 1 July 2024, there will be additional visa holders who will not be able to lodge an application for a student visa while in Australia, they are

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

These changes are reflective of the department’s efforts to crackdown on non-genuine students, whose intention is to use the program to extend their stay in Australia for whatever reason, other than genuine study.

It will be difficult to assess the impact of such changes on the overall student program, without having access to data on:

  • The number of visa holders of those affected subclass that have previously lodged onshore student visa applications.
  • The number of students visa grants to that cohort.
  • The number of student visa refusals to that cohort.

If you are interested in studying in Australia, or how any of these changes affect your personal circumstances, please contact us and one of our experts will get in touch with you promptly.

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