From 2 October 2026, most overseas students must complete 12 months of their principal course before transferring to another provider. The change is temporary and is intended to reduce onshore course hopping while genuine transfers can still proceed in limited cases.
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The Department of Education has amended Standard 7 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018. From 2 October 2026, an overseas student who wants to transfer to another provider must generally complete at least 12 months of their principal course, up from 6 months.
The change is temporary. From 1 July 2027, the restriction period is intended to revert to 6 months. It does not cancel a Student visa that has already been granted, and it does not add an extra 12 months from 2 October 2026. The 12 months is counted from when the principal course started.
A transfer after the restriction period still needs to comply with Student visa conditions. The government has also flagged a new Student visa transfer stream from 1 July 2027. Until then, this 12-month National Code rule is the interim measure. Students who start a principal course after 2 October 2026, but before 1 July 2027, should check whether the 12-month or 6-month period applies once the rule reverts.
If you are considering a change of course or provider, confirm the start date of your principal course and your provider’s transfer policy before making plans. A request for early release should go to your current provider.
Read the official fact sheet on the Department of Education 12-month transfer restriction page. This update is general information only and is not immigration advice.
Most people can no longer apply for a Student visa while in Australia, and family members can usually no longer be included.
From 19 September 2026, Directions 121 and 122 set the new skilled visa processing order, including subclass 482 and 186.
The 17 September 2026 package tightens student family rules, working holiday stays and visitor visas.
From 19 May 2026 to 19 May 2027, new CRICOS applications to ASQA for private VET and ELICOS providers and courses are paused.
From 5 October 2026, providers cannot enrol or commence new overseas students in BSB80120.
Home Affairs has paused first subclass 462 applications from most capped partner countries.
Speak with Ozreach if a change of provider or course may affect your student visa. This update is general information only and is not immigration advice.
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