If your current Student visa will expire before you finish your studies, the rules that commenced on 2 October 2026 are especially important. Most current Student visa holders can no longer apply for a further Student visa from inside Australia unless they meet a specific exemption.
A Student visa itself cannot simply be extended. If you need to continue studying in Australia after your current visa ends, you generally need to apply for another Student visa and meet the requirements applying at the time of lodgement. From 2 October 2026, most current Student visa holders must lodge a further Student visa application from outside Australia unless they meet one of the limited onshore exemptions.
Start planning well before your current visa expiry date. Check your course completion date, current CoE, passport validity, OSHC and visa conditions. Most importantly, determine whether you qualify for an onshore exemption under the rules commencing 2 October 2026. If you do not qualify, plan for an offshore Student visa application and consider travel, course commencement and lawful-status implications. If your course has been extended, obtain the appropriate new or updated CoE from your education provider.
If you changed providers or need more than 12 additional months, the course-completion exemption does not apply. Unless another exemption applies, you must be outside Australia both at lodgement and grant. Plan before visa expiry; a further visa is not guaranteed. Read the offshore application guidance.
Onshore exemptions include DFAT/Defence sponsorship, PhD or school study, provider default and specified course progression. The completion exemption is limited to up to 12 extra months after the original end date, with the same provider and, for a package, the main course. Higher education graduates progressing to a higher AQF course must remain in higher education. Other progression cases cover school to non-AQF study and non-AQF to AQF study. Check every applicable condition with Home Affairs before lodging.
For applicants who have previously held a Student visa, the Department may consider previous study in Australia, course and provider changes, study gaps, course progress and reasons for changes when assessing the application.
Check your current visa conditions in VEVO. Do not assume that lodging an application automatically gives you permission to remain in Australia in every situation. Your lawful status and any bridging visa should be checked carefully.
Confirm your visa expiry date; obtain the correct CoE; check OSHC; review study history and course progress; determine whether you meet an onshore exemption; prepare Genuine Student evidence; review financial capacity and English evidence where required; check any visa condition such as No Further Stay; if an offshore application is required, plan travel and lodgement timing; and lodge only a valid application through ImmiAccount.
Reviewed 1 November 2026. October 2026 application and family rules. General information only; obtain advice from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner for your circumstances.
Information note: Immigration requirements can change. Always check the Department of Home Affairs website and your individual visa conditions before acting.
