Students can still apply for an Australian student visa. On 17 September 2026, the Australian Government announced it will restrict partners and children from joining most new student and graduate visa holders. The changes do not yet have a start date. Families already in Australia will not be separated. If you are travelling alone, the family restriction will not affect you directly.
What did the Australian Government announce?
On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a set of reforms to Australia's temporary migration system. The main changes for students are:
• Family restriction. Most new Student (subclass 500) and Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will no longer be able to bring a partner or dependent children as secondary applicants.
• Exceptions. PhD and some higher degree research students are exempt, as are students from Pacific and ASEAN countries. India is not in the exempt country groups.
• Course progression. New student visas are expected to allow study only "up the qualification scale", for example from a bachelor's degree to a master's. Moving to a lower level course, such as a VET course after a degree, is being restricted.
• Visa hopping. The Government wants to stop people moving between temporary visas mainly to stay in Australia without a genuine pathway.
These are announced policy directions, not final law. The detailed rules, start dates and transitional arrangements are still to be released.
Can Indian students still study in Australia?
Yes. Nothing in the announcement stops Indian students from applying for a student visa. India remains one of Australia's most important source countries for international students. The reforms target family members and visa use, not nationality.
Who is most affected?
The students most affected are those planning to bring a spouse or children. They should get advice before accepting an offer or paying fees.
Students who are married, or who plan to marry during their studies, should also think ahead. The restriction is expected to cover the 485 Graduate visa as well.
Most Indian students travel alone. In our experience at AUSCAN over the past five years, the large majority of students we have helped have been single. For them, the family restriction has little direct relevance. The course progression rule still applies to everyone, though, so choose your course carefully from the start.
What about students and families already in Australia?
The Government has said families already in Australia on a student or graduate visa will not be separated. The changes are aimed at future applications. Once the transitional rules are published, anyone planning a new visa application while in Australia should check how those rules apply to them.
Is moving from one visa to another now a problem?
Not if it is genuine. A student who completes an Australian degree, moves to a Graduate visa and later qualifies for a skilled or employer sponsored visa is following a normal pathway. The Government's concern is people using temporary visas mainly to extend their stay, without a real study or work purpose.
Advice from our Registered Migration Agents
Sunil Jaggi, Managing Director
Registered Migration Agent, MARN 0429029 (registered with OMARA, Australia)
"Don't make decisions based on headlines. The Government has set the direction, but the detailed rules will decide who is affected and from when. Your visa is assessed under the rules in force on the day you lodge it, so timing matters."
Divya Jaggi, Director
Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1807587 (registered with OMARA, Australia)
"Look at your whole situation, not just your course. Are you married? Do you plan to be during your studies? What do you want to do after graduating? Those answers change what the reforms mean for you."
Our practical steps for students:
1. Choose your course based on a genuine study and career plan. Under the new progression rule it should be the right level from day one.
2. If you plan to bring a partner or children, speak to a registered migration agent before accepting an offer or paying a deposit.
3. Check official Department of Home Affairs updates before you lodge an application.
4. Ignore social media claims that Australia has "closed" to Indian students. It has not.
What is a MARN and why does it matter?
A MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number) is a unique number given by the Australian Government to people who are legally allowed to give Australian visa advice. It is issued by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), which is part of the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs.
To be registered, an agent must meet Australian standards for qualifications, knowledge of migration law and professional conduct. Registered agents must follow a strict Code of Conduct.
Many people in India who offer "Australia visa services" are not registered. Before you pay anyone for visa advice, ask for their MARN. You can check it for free on the official OMARA register on the Australian Government website.
Sunil Jaggi (MARN 0429029) and Divya Jaggi (MARN 1807587) are both registered with OMARA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian students apply for an Australian student visa in 2026?
Yes. The announcement does not stop Indian students from applying.
Can I bring my spouse or children on a student visa?
Under the proposed rules, most new student visa holders will not be able to. Exceptions apply to PhD students and students from Pacific and ASEAN countries. Final rules are still to be released.
Does the family restriction apply to the 485 Graduate visa?
The announcement indicates it does. Check the final rules before applying.
When do the changes start?
No start date has been announced. The Government says the reforms will be introduced progressively.
Will families already in Australia be separated?
No. The Government has said existing families will not be separated.
What is a MARN?
A MARN is the registration number of an Australian Government registered migration agent. Always ask for it before taking visa advice, and check it on the OMARA register.
Where can I get reliable information?
Use the Department of Home Affairs website, and get advice from a registered migration agent if you plan to bring family.
Reviewed by Sunil Jaggi (MARN 0429029) and Divya Jaggi (MARN 1807587) are Registered Migration Agents with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), Australia with more than two decades of experience advising Indian students and families on Australian study and visa pathways.
Australia Student Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Students and Families Need to Know
