From 2 October 2026, a Student visa (subclass 500) holder cannot add family members after the visa has been granted — there are no exemptions to this rule. Family members may only be included in the visa application itself, and only if the applicant meets one of the specified exemption categories.
What the new rule changes
- Inclusion at application only – First‑time and subsequent Student visa applicants may include family members only when lodging the application.
- No post‑grant additions – Once the visa is granted, family members cannot be added later, and no exemptions exist for this restriction.
- Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the rules in force at the time of lodgement, including any family members already listed.
Who can still include family members (exemptions)
| Exemption category | Details |
|---|---|
| Doctoral students | Students enrolled in a doctoral degree program. |
| Nationals of Pacific and ASEAN countries | Citizens of Pacific Island countries, Timor‑Leste, and ASEAN member states. |
| Fully‑funded foreign government scholarship recipients | Students holding a full scholarship from a foreign government. |
| DFAT or Department of Defence sponsored students | Students sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence. |
If you do not fall into one of these groups, you cannot include family members in a new Student visa application lodged on or after 2 October 2026.
Existing families already in Australia
If your family members were already included in your visa or visa application before 2 October 2026, and you are eligible to apply for a further Student visa while in Australia, you may include the same family members in the new application. This arrangement is intended to avoid separating families already present in Australia.
What you cannot do
- Add family members after grant – No Student visa holder can add dependants after the visa is granted; the rule has no exemptions.
- Apply for a Student visa onshore (most temporary visa holders) – From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders (including Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders) must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted, unless an exemption applies.
Upcoming changes still under development
- Transfer stream – A new Transfer stream within the Student visa subclass is intended for students who change education providers. Details and the effective date have not yet been published.
- Temporary Graduate visa family restrictions – Restrictions on including family members in a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa application are also still being developed; further information will be released later.
Steps to take now
- Check your eligibility – Use the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool to verify financial capacity and English‑language evidence requirements.
- Review the exemption list – Confirm whether you qualify for any of the exemptions that permit family inclusion.
- Consider timing – If you plan to lodge a new Student visa application, factor in the family‑member rules before making travel or relocation plans.
- Seek individual advice – Visa outcomes depend on the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements. For case‑specific guidance, contact a migration agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Sources
- Study Australia – Student visa changes October 2026
- Study Australia – Agent Hub: Student visa changes October 2026
- Department of Home Affairs – Student Visa Reforms
- Department of Home Affairs – Student visa (subclass 500)
- Department of Home Affairs – Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
- Department of Home Affairs – Document Checklist Tool