Australia has introduced fresh visa changes that will make it harder for many international students to bring their partners or children while studying, as the government seeks to reduce net overseas migration and tighten temporary visa arrangements.
Most students will have to study without family
Under the new rules announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, most international students will no longer be able to attach family members to their student visas. Existing families already in Australia will not be separated under the changes.
Exceptions will apply to students from Pacific and ASEAN countries and those enrolled in certain courses, including PhD programmes. The government says the changes are part of a broader effort to bring greater control to the migration system.
The impact could be significant for Indian students and other international students who traditionally travel to Australia with their families.
‘Visa hopping’ also faces tighter rules
The government is also targeting what it describes as ‘visa hopping’, where students repeatedly move between courses to extend their stay.
Under the new arrangements, students seeking to continue their education will generally need to progress to a higher qualification level. For example, a student completing a bachelor’s degree could move to a master’s programme.
The changes come as Australia seeks to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2027–28. More than 337,000 student visas were granted in the previous financial year, including around 46,000 secondary visas for family members.
International education sector watches closely
Universities and education representatives have expressed concern that restrictions on families could make Australia less attractive to some international students. International education contributed about A$53.6 billion to the Australian economy in the year to June 2025.
The government, however, says the reforms are intended to create a more controlled migration system while retaining pathways for students and graduates.