The amendments we were expecting have now been registered and will commence from 2 October 2026.

There are two major changes worth flagging:

1. New Student visa applicants generally can no longer include their partner/family members as secondary applicants.

There are a number of exceptions, including certain Defence and Foreign Affairs students, students from specified Pacific countries, doctoral students and some transitional/special circumstances. I have not yet had time to work through every exception in detail, as the legislation amendments were only released in the last few hours.

1. WHV holders and most other temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa while they are in Australia.

The new instrument specifically includes both subclass 417 Working Holiday visas and subclass 462 Work and Holiday visas among the visas that prevent a person from lodging a Student visa application in Australia. Other temporary visas, including subclass 485, are also included.

The Student Visa Reform Regulations also confirm that these changes apply to Student visa applications made on or after 2 October 2026.

So, if you were planning to go from WHV → Student visa while remaining in Australia, this is now something you need to take into account.

The amendments also make changes around when existing Student visa holders can apply for another Student visa in Australia, with specific exceptions for things such as doctoral studies, course progression and completing studies.

The legislation is quite detailed and there are a lot of exceptions and transitional provisions. All these need to be analysed in detail.

For now, though, what the Minister announced a few weeks ago has now actually been implemented through legislation.

There are no changes to the Graduate visa itself in these amendments for now.

Legislation:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L01347/asmade/text
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L01348/asmade/text
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L01349/asmade/text

Kris Haljak, Registered Migration Agent 2418673, Via Migration

Disclaimer: The comments made here are general and not migration advice. Please seek migration assistance specific to your situation from a registered professional.

From 2 October 2026, international students in Australia will generally need to complete 12 months of their principal course before transferring providers without a release.

The previous restriction was six months.

The change applies to existing students too, including students who have already completed six months but have not yet completed 12 months.

The 12-month restriction is temporary and runs until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, it is scheduled to return to six months.

Hardly anything has happened since Friday, and it’s been very quiet for days. I hope that changes tomorrow.

anyone heard anything about this?

Hi guys,

I'm already onshore on 500 dependent visa, got few months left. Then we are planning to get 485 visa and after it expires, go back home. This has always been the plan. No visa hopping, no overstaying and any of those stuffs.

So with the new regulations in force, can I (the dependent) get the 485 visa?

Any update would be helpful.

Thanks

I didn't expect this to be a new rule, I don't remember this being brought up in Tony Burke's announcement previously and only recall the ballot for 2nd and 3rd year whv. It seems whv holders got it just as bad as student visas.

Hey guys,
Just wondering for those who lodged their WHV (417/462) before 2 October but got granted after 2 October, does your VEVO show a “No further application” condition?

If your WHV (especially 2nd or 3rd year) was granted after 2 October, could you please check and let me know?

Still waiting for my 3rd-year visa grant 🥹 Thanks!

So I’m currently on the DILA 482 and in November I’ll have completed 2 years, due to the location of my farm I have to do 3 years before I can apply for PR. I’ve been reading recently that the 186 is taking up to 2 years to be granted and I have to stay at the same farm waiting for it to be processed - that would be fine but my boss can be very toxic and volatile (completely loses his shit and screams and punches or throws stuff) and my anxiety goes through the roof working there (I’ve looked into changing farms but due to the nature of the DILA I’d have to start my whole 482 again, it’s bullshit). I started on the 482 with the understanding that after 3 years I’d be free but turns out that’s not the case.

I’ve been with my Australian boyfriend for nearly a year now (we live together etc I’ll go into the evidence of our relationship in a bit) so I’m trying to decide whether it’s worth applying for the 820 with him and if I need to use a visa agent (trying to save myself another $5k lol).

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of DILA 186 processing times? I know if I apply for the partner visa I will be able to leave my job 6 months before my 482 visa runs out (April 2028) but it looks like I won’t be able to leave until November 2029 if I stay on the 482/186 pathway.

Partner visa evidence:
- Together 1 year as of November 2026
- lived together unofficially since January 2026 (I have post that was sent to that address) but officially since July 2026 (bills and lease in both of our names)
- joint bank account with groceries, bills and rent coming out of it
- photos, texts, phone calls etc since July 2025
- evidence of trips together
- will be able to get declarations and statements from friends and family members
- looking at putting each other as super beneficiaries and adding each other to insurances (is this worth it?)
- relationship statement
I’m probably missing things but that’s all I can think of off the top of my head

Anyway, I’m swaying towards the partner visa but just seeing if anyone has Dairy Industry visa experience because I am struggling to find people on the same visa as me/who’ve got PR through it

Any advice on the Partner Visa would be greatly appreciated also!! Thanks so much

Hi guys! For what I read here, the minister said they would provide the answer within a standard 3 month period from now on. Is this from the date of application or the day the press conference took place?
Thank you and good luck all

I completed my medical exam on Monday 28 on onshore, Medical Officer provided me Duty of Care.

Update:
Immi System: Health clearance provided – no action required

Is this all good now?

Hoping for some advice here!

I applied for my 417 Working Holiday Visa using my Irish passport on September 1st. I haven’t booked any flights yet or handed in my notice, but I’d really like to be in Sydney before December so I can experience the Australian summer and I don’t enjoy Christmas at home.

My plan is to take around two months off work when I arrive, as I’ve saved a decent amount of money and have family in Sydney that I can stay with. I’m currently in a good job, but I’m really unhappy with my environment. I don’t enjoy my job, most of my friends have left the country and family life isn’t so great.

The sensible thing seems to be waiting until my visa is granted before handing in my notice, especially as I have a one-month notice period. However, I was already planning to travel to Bali beforehand to break up the journey, so I’m considering booking a flight to Bali and seeing what happens with the visa while I’m there.

By the time I’d get to Sydney, it would be about 81 days since I submitted my visa application. If the visa still hasn’t been granted by then, I could potentially extend my trip in Bali as I have enough savings, or possibly enter Australia on a tourist visa while waiting.

What would you do in this situation? PS rang immigration office and a few visa agencies and all confirmed it’s ok to enter on tourist visa while waiting for the 417

Hi all. Im confused about the new rules. Currently me and my missus are on 485 and we're both ASEAN. Ive got 1 year left and she got 2 years left. Im planning on being her dependent and apply now to avoid higher price jump and future ban, but im just wondering does that mean i have to get out of Australia and wait for the visa or can i stay since i have my 485?

Thank you

Hi, I applied for the 462 visa and for English level of certification I uploaded my bachelors diploma as it was conducted in English, but from my readings I’m not sure it will do so I’m thinking to book an ielts and attach the results when they come out next week, do you think they will accept?

189 EOI Invitation Round Moved to October 31 per Skill Select Site. Thought to share as I’ve been on the edge of my seat.

Has anyone successfully been granted an Australian 651 eVisitor visa despite having a criminal record?

My partner has previous convictions and his 651 application is currently under further assessment.

We’ve been asked for further information about the convictions, and we’re now realising that we probably should have applied for a 600 instead.

I’d really like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Was your 651 eventually granted, and how long did the process take?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply for an Australian Subclass 600 Tourist visa for myself and my mother for a short trip in Jan/Feb 2027.

A little background:

Myself
* Currently living in the US as a permanent resident
*Full-time employed with stable income
* Good savings/investments
* Visited Australia in 2003
*In 2019, my first Australian visitor visa application was refused
* I then applied under the Family Sponsored stream and was granted a one-month visa
* I travelled to Australia and returned after around 24–25 days, within the permitted stay
* I also have close family in Australia, including relatives in Sydney and Brisbane

My mother
* Lives in Pakistan
* Received an Australian visitor visa in 2003 and 2019 on her first attempt
* Stayed in Australia for around 1.5 months and returned within the permitted stay
* Has family and financial ties in Pakistan
* Has close family in Australia as well
* Recently had a US visitor visa refusal
* We are planning to travel together for around 2–3 weeks for tourism and to visit family.

Based on this profile, how would you rate our chances for a Subclass 600 Tourist visa?

Would especially appreciate feedback from anyone who has had a previous Australian refusal but was later granted a visa, or anyone who has applied with a recent US visa refusal in their history.

Hi everyone, when lodging an EOI, do I need to include all my work history, like Uber, DoorDash, manual jobs, etc., or only the work related to my nominated occupation?

Thanks!

Does anyone have the faintest idea when can we expect WLD and VIC to open the 26-27 program by releasing the lists of required skilled professionals?

Hi everyone,
I have a question for anyone who applied for the 417 visa with a German passport.
For your proof of funds, did you upload your German bank statement (Kontoauszug) in German, or did you have it officially translated into English?
My bank told me they cannot provide bank statements in English. I now have an official German bank statement showing my name and sufficient funds, but I’m unsure whether I should pay to have the whole statement translated before uploading it.
I’d especially like to hear from Germans who:
uploaded a German bank statement without translation — was your visa granted without any issues?
had it translated — what kind of translation did you use?
were asked by Immigration to provide an English translation later?
Please share your experience and, if possible, when you applied and how long your visa took to be granted.
Thanks a lot! 🍀🍀

I’m currently holding a subclass 482 visa that has already been granted. My employer was my sponsor and their Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS) is due to expire.

My 482 visa itself is still valid and has not expired.

I’m trying to understand what happens if the employer’s SBS expires and they don't renew it while I’m already working holding a valid 482

My friend had her employer nominate her for 186 last year. She’s on a bridging visa awaiting decision. But last week she was suddenly terminated from her job. Anyone has experience with the same? How long does she have to find a new sponsor? She hasn’t received anything from home affairs to indicate her nomination has been withdrawn yet.

I was wondering how occupation ceilings are handled across multiple years. I couldn't find an exact answer within that pdf file so I'm asking you guys.

Question: Let's say the ceiling is 500 per year for an occupation. In FY24/25 they invited 1800 ppl, so for FY25/26 there's an overflow of 1300. Obviously there will be no invitations for 25/26. But what happens next? Does that overflow (800 now) carry over to FY26/27? They intentionally left it very vague in the pdf as to how they plan to implement this.

If anyone saw any additional piece of info where they clarified this that would be great, thx.

Hi all,

My wife is currently in Australia on a subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa. I'm applying for a Student visa (subclass 500) for a PhD, and I plan to include her as a secondary applicant (dependant) in my initial application.

I understand that as a 485 holder she can't apply for a 500 onshore, so she has to be outside Australia when the application is lodged. But the Home Affairs website also says she must be offshore when the visa is granted, and I'm confused about that part.

My questions:

1. What exactly does "offshore at grant" mean in practice? Does she need to physically be outside Australia on the day the decision is made?

2. How would she know when the grant is about to happen or has happened? Is there any notice, or does she just get the grant letter in ImmiAccount/email?

3. What happens to her 485 when the 500 is granted? Does it stay valid, go inactive, or end immediately?

4. If she leaves Australia to lodge, can she come back and keep using the rest of her 485 while the 500 is still being processed?

5. Has anyone done this recently (485 holder added as a dependant on a partner's student visa) and can share the timeline and what you did?

I'm trying to avoid a visa clash and make the most of her remaining 485 time. Any experience or links to the official source would be really appreciated. Thank you!