New student visa rules started 2 October — plus a new processing order and a 189 round due by 31 October

The Sydney skyline across the harbour — Photo: Unsplash (free licence)

Two weeks, four moves you can actually act on. The big one already started on Thursday.

01 · Students: the new visa rules started on 2 October

From 2 October 2026, people in Australia on many other temporary visas — including working holiday (417/462), 482 (both Skills in Demand and Temporary Skill Shortage), 400, 407 and 408 holders — must apply for a Student visa from outside Australia, and be outside when it’s granted. Most current students applying for another Student visa must now apply offshore too, with limited exceptions (for example, finishing the same course with the same provider within 12 months, or doctoral students). And most new students can no longer include family members — or add them later — unless an exception applies (for example doctoral students, Pacific or ASEAN passport holders, or foreign-government-funded students). Source: Home Affairs

Why it matters: switching to a student visa from inside Australia is now largely closed, and studying here with a partner or children mostly is too. Applications lodged before 2 October are still assessed under the old rules.

Planning to study, or to bring family? Learn more on the Student visa, or book a free 15-minute call.

02 · Students: changing provider now takes 12 months

Until 30 June 2027, a provider generally can’t enrol a student transferring from another provider until they’ve completed 12 months of their main course — up from 6. It returns to 6 months from 1 July 2027, and school transfers aren’t affected. Source: legislation.gov.au

Why it matters: the rule is designed to stop rushed transfers before a separate change — expected from mid-2027 — that will require a new Student visa to change provider. If you’re unhappy with your course, the window to move just got much narrower.

Thinking about switching? Learn more on the Student visa.

03 · Skilled & employer visas: a new processing order from 19 September

Ministerial Directions 121 (the 482) and 122 (the 186, 189, 190, 491, 494 and others) replaced Direction 119 on 19 September. Applications are now decided in this order: (1) priority sectors — construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture/aquaculture/fishing and resources, plus law-enforcement and defence roles; (2) for the 482, the Specialist Skills stream; (3) other applicants in Australia; (4) offshore applicants applying on their own; (5) everyone else. It applies to applications already lodged. Source: Direction 121

Why it matters: outside the priority sectors, and especially offshore, expect to wait longer — so the occupation code on a nomination now decides how fast it moves. Employers should check the code is right before lodging.

Sponsoring, or being sponsored? Learn more on the 482 visa, or book a free 15-minute call.

04 · Skilled Independent (189): no September round — next one due by 31 October

There was no 189 invitation round in September. Home Affairs now says the next round is expected by 31 October 2026; the last one, on 4 June, issued 10,000 invitations. Source: Home Affairs

Why it matters: invitations go to the highest-ranked Expressions of Interest on the day. If your points, English test or skills assessment has changed, update your EOI before the round, not after.

Waiting on an invitation? Check your 189 eligibility, or book a free 15-minute call.

The rest of the 17 September package — the visitor “No Further Stay” condition and the working holiday extension ballot — is not law yet, and no start date has been published. We’ll tell you the day it is.