Australia Amends Classes of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications

Current rules

The Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Instrument 2020 has been amended by the Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026. Under the amended framework, onshore applications for further Student visas are tied to defined classes of people rather than being broadly available to all current Student visa holders. A current Student visa holder who is a doctoral student can fall within the new exception. A student affected by provider default can also qualify where the specified conditions are met, including the requirement to apply within 12 months of the provider default. Students who need additional time to complete their existing principal course can qualify in defined circumstances, as can students moving to a more advanced level of study. The family provisions similarly create specific exceptions. A family member of a foreign-government scholarship recipient or doctoral student can be covered, as can certain family members of students affected by provider default or students who need a further short-duration visa to finish their existing principal course. The instrument also changes the structure of Student visa applications by removing the former concept of a “subsequent person” for nil visa application charge purposes. The accompanying regulations provide that Student visa applicants must now apply at the same time, subject to the specific arrangements contained in the reformed framework.

Overview

The Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026 introduces changes to the eligibility criteria for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa applicants in Australia. These amendments, which apply to certain classes of persons including doctoral students and family members, will be in force from 2 October 2026. The instrument revises existing provisions related to visa application arrangements and conditions for specified student cohorts.

What changed in the latest version

If you are an international student already in Australia, what matters most now isn't just whether you hold a Student visa. The details of your next course, your previous course, your education provider, and your relationship to the main student can now decide if you fit into one of the specific groups that can apply for another Student visa from within Australia. This is particularly important for students who need another Student visa because of their situation. For example, if you are a doctoral student, you are specifically recognised as a group that can apply while in Australia. Similarly, if your education provider stops offering your course and you need to switch to a different registered course, you can still be eligible under the new rules, as long as you meet the relevant conditions. The changes also offer a clear route for students who have started their main course but need another Student visa to finish it. However, this rule is intentionally limited. Generally, the course you are completing must be the same course with the same provider, or an alternative course with that same provider if allowed. Students who transferred their main course to a new provider are not covered by this particular rule for applying while in Australia.

Explained simply

Imagine the government has a rulebook for students who want to study in Australia. This new change is like an update to that rulebook, specifically for certain types of students, like those doing advanced degrees or if their school has problems. It changes some of the conditions and paperwork for them and their families, starting from 1 October 2026.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v1Effective 2 Oct 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Australia Amends Classes of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications

   Australia's Department of Home Affairs brought in a new rule called the Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026. This started on 1 October 2026. This new rule changes an older one from 2020 by adding a section called 'Application of amendments in LIN 26/087'. This new part will explain how any changes made by LIN 26/087 will affect applications for the Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa.