New rules for Australia's Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) took effect on 2 October 2026. The Department of Home Affairs says they change two things: who can apply for a visa while already in Australia, and whether family members can be included.
Most Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or children, and this applies to people applying for a further Student visa too. Family members also cannot apply later, separately from the student, in any circumstance. Applications lodged before 2 October are assessed under the rules in place when they were made.
Five groups can still include family. PhD students qualify, but students on a master's by research do not. So do students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence; students on a foreign government scholarship that fully funds their studies; nationals of 12 Pacific Island countries and the 11 ASEAN countries; and some people who already held or applied for a Student visa before 2 October and need more time to finish or are moving up to a higher-level course. Family members who qualify must apply at the same time as the student and from the same place.
The rules on applying from inside Australia changed as well. Applicants must now apply from outside Australia unless they hold an eligible visa and meet one of six exemptions, which include needing up to 12 more months to finish a course, DFAT or Defence sponsorship, and starting a PhD.
The Australia Awards Scholarships are run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but their health cover is for the scholar only, so check the programme's rules before planning for family. Our Australia guide covers the visa's costs, proof of funds and work rights, and the Research Training Program funds PhDs at Australian universities.
