Student Visa News
Stay updated on student visas, including Student Visa, English programs, Trade and Mining Courses, Diploma Courses, and Health Cover requirements.
Applicants for Australia’s Training visa (subclass 407) will soon face new restrictions, with applications required to be lodged from outside Australia from 12 November 2026. The Australian Government has announced significant changes to the Training visa (subclass 407), affecting applicants who are currently in Australia and those planning to undertake occupational training. Under the new rules, applicants must be outside Australia when they lodge their application and when their visa is granted. This means individuals currently in Australia who wish to apply for a subclass 407 visa must leave the country before submitting their application. What Is Changing? From 12 November 2026: Offshore applications only: Applicants must be outside Australia... Read more
About Student Visa Subclass 500 and Australian Trade Courses
The dedicated team at This is Australia is familiar and experienced with Student Visa Subclass 500 applications. With a high success rate, we can assist international students with finding the best course, submitting the application to the education provider, finalising the enrolment and applying for a student visa.
The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) requires all international students to hold a valid visa prior to commencing study in Australia.
The Australian Student Visa 500 subclass provides international students with the opportunity to study in Australia at every level of education.
A multitude of students who have completed some of these courses are now permanent Australian residents. Contact us today about advancing your career or learning a new profession!
The Australian Government has implemented major integrity reforms to the international education sector. These measures aim to ensure the Student visa remains a temporary stay for study rather than a pathway for indefinite residency. The reforms, effective from 2 October 2026, include strict limits on onshore applications and family inclusions.
Restricting onshore visa applications
To reduce the practice of visa hopping, the Department of Home Affairs has restricted who can lodge a Student visa application while in Australia. From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders are no longer eligible to apply for a Subclass 500 visa while onshore. This change specifically impacts those on Working Holiday Maker, Visitor, and Temporary Graduate visas.
Students seeking a second Student visa while in Australia must also show genuine course progression. While there are limited exemptions for school students and PhD candidates, most applicants will now need to apply from outside Australia.
Limits for partners and children
The rules for including family members in a visa application have become significantly tighter. For most sectors, the option to add subsequent entrants to a Student visa after the primary visa is granted has been removed. This is a major shift from previous policies that allowed family to join a student at any point during their studies.
Applicants can now only include partners and children if they are PhD students, government-sponsored, or nationals of ASEAN or Pacific-regional countries. If you do not meet these specific criteria, you cannot bring family members to Australia on this visa. (Source: Department of Home Affairs)
Families already in Australia together will not be separated. If an eligible student applies for a new visa onshore, they can include family members who are already here on a valid visa. However, any new family members must be included in the primary application at the time of lodgement.
Increased fees and transfer requirements
The cost of applying for a Student visa has changed. As of 1 July 2026, the application charge for most primary applicants is AUD $2,500. This increase follows the mandatory requirement introduced in 2025 to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of lodgement for all applications.
There are also stricter rules for changing education providers. Students must now stay in their principal course for at least 12 months before they can transfer to a different provider. (Source: Ministers’ Media Centre) This measure is intended to prevent students from moving to lower-quality courses shortly after arrival.
A useful insight for applicants is that because you can no longer add family members later, you must decide at the very start whether your family will join you. If you apply alone now, there is often no legal pathway to bring your partner later on the same visa. This makes meeting specific Subclass 500 requirements and enrolling in the right Australian study programmes critical from day one. Many students find the value of engaging a migration agent is essential to manage these strict timing and eligibility rules.
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All levels of education are available to international students, including primary, secondary, tertiary, postgraduate and vocational.
This Is Australia provides valuable information for individuals who are interested in studying in Australia, to ensure they hold the correct visa for their intended course.
Whether you are looking to communicate in an everyday English environment, prepare for the International English Language Testing System examination (IELTS) or develop your English language skills to study in Australia.
The Study English Student visa program is designed to improve students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Find your pathway to success with the Trade and Mining Courses Student Visa.
This visa is designed for international students to complete a trade or vocational certificate or diploma in Australia.
Certain diplomas will enable students under this visa, the opportunity to gain entry and obtain advanced standing in university degree programs.
Student Visa Reviews
From Student visa to PR, Martin and team was always there to guide us in every step and provide an exceptional service. Can't recomment enough TIA for migration services.
babandeep kaur Grewal
29/09/2025
Since I went here in Australia they are the one who handle all of my visa to get PR. They are really knowledgable about any visas and they make sure that everything will went good on you pathway to PR specially these persons: JOY & JELYN for my Student visa. There is also MARTIN SZILVASSY, MARIA ARREZZA & RAVI BHATT for my skilled visa. Last, but not the least STUART ELEY to get my PR he always updating me every time even week ends about the progress of my visa (YOU GUYS ARE REALLY BIG HELP) I would highly recommended to my family and friends the “THIS IS AUSTRALIA”.
Michael Jefferson Amido
11/08/2025
I’d like to thank God first for guiding and helping us make our dreams possible. My mommy Angie for the financial and emotional support, for her Words of Wisdom and Love, I am also beyond thankful and grateful for This is Australia Migration Agency for being very responsive and approachable. I dint expect that I can able to have my student visa very quick. My family and I are happy. We are confident to recommend this Agency to help others, it’s Proven and Tested. Godbless! 🤍🙏🏼
Taylor Barquio
13/03/2025
This agency helped me to get my student visa, they were really helpful and attentive.
Obadah Alkurdi
29/07/2024
I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, these guys are highly professional. My journey wasn’t smooth it was like a roller coaster ride but the team of THIS IS AUSTRALIA helps me a lot specially MARTY, ANTHONY,JERRY, ZOE.. these guys are like angels for me. I highly recommend them as being their client since 2016 (student visa- PR) 🙏
hema nayyar
23/07/2024
Been with Gary, Matthew and Marty since 2018 while on a student visa, the process is effortless and outstanding help from everyone, could have never trusted anyone else to help me out with migration advice! 10/10
Cinthya Cusi
20/05/2024
A massive thank you for all the hard work in helping me obtain my student visa. It was quite a stressful process and it was made easier by your help and guidance. Kudos to Akter, Hima and Gary ✨ I will recommend you to other people 🍾
Alvinio Louis
09/05/2024
I would want to thank the Australia Student Recruitment agency for helping me with my visa application. The entire team, but notably Ma'am Jelyn, Ma’am Joy, and Ma’am Shella, who worked really hard to obtain all the necessary documents. I am incredibly appreciative of all of them for all of their help in getting my visa approved. I have no doubts about your outstanding service, and you truly deserve a five-star rating. I hope you may continue to assist more people in the future by helping them with their visa requirements. May God bless you always!
Jeany
24/04/2024
This is Australia is the best choice for anyone who wants to make their visa application a breeze. The team, especially my agent Jelyn, provided me with honest and competent assistance in every step of my student visa application. They didn’t give me false hopes or promises, but realistic goals and expectations. They were always on top of things and knew exactly what to do. Whoever will get their services will be on the fast lane to their visa success. Thank you, This is Australia, for bringing me one step closer to reaching my dreams!
Caesar Roderick Tado
10/11/2023
