Starting on July 1, 2024, anybody who wants to apply for an Australian student visa will need to do it from outside of the nation instead of from within. This will prevent holders of certain Australian visas, such as temporary graduate and visitor visas, from applying for student visas while they are living in Australia. The Australian government makes it clear that it will only take into account applications for student visas from foreign nationals who can prove they have a sincere desire to study in Australia.
Under the revised regulations, those who are currently in Australia as visitors, holders of Temporary Graduate Australian visa, or holders of other specified visas are not eligible to apply for student visas. These rules will not, however, influence the processing of student visa applications that were already submitted within Australia before July 1, 2024. The modifications above do not affect the present visa statuses of holders of Working Holiday Maker
Australia’s government has made it quite apparent that should they choose to stay, temporary graduates should either plan to depart the country when their visa expires or look for employment prospects that may lead to permanent residency or employer-sponsored Australian visas. To prolong their stay in Australia beyond the period of their temporary graduate Visa, 32% of holders of these visas are choosing to return to school, according to the Grattan Institute’s most recent “Graduates in Limbo” report.
The changes are in line with other adjustments that will take effect for holders of Temporary Graduate visas on July 1. These changes include much shorter post-study employment privileges, a 50-year-old eligibility cut, and tougher English language competency standards that were implemented in March.
To enter Australia while they wait for their Australian visa application to be processed, prospective students may apply for their student visa from abroad. They must, however, have or be granted a visa that allows them to enter and remain in Australia for this amount of time. It is noteworthy that individuals applying for an offshore student visa are not qualified for a Bridging visa, which allows them to stay in Australia while their application is being processed.
As long as their visa is valid, visitors with valid visas may study for up to three months under the new conditions. If someone intends to continue their education after this time, they must apply for a student visa from outside of Australia.
It is now forbidden for some Australian visa holders, such as those with temporary graduate, maritime crew, and visitor visa subclasses, to apply for a student visa while they are in the nation. Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate), Subclass 600 (Visitor), Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority), Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment), Subclass 651 (eVisitor), and Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew) are among the specific Australia visa categories that are impacted. Furthermore, those who hold Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) under the International Relations (Domestic Worker—Diplomatic or Consular) stream, Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular), Subclass 771 (Transit), and Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary—Primary – Holders Only) are already prohibited from submitting legitimate student visa applications while in Australia.
