New visa rules for international students 2026: Australia

Here’s the detailed breakdown of the latest Australian student visa and post-study work visa changes under the Subclass 500 (Student) and Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas, as announced by the Department of Home Affairs.

The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows international students to live, study, and work in Australia for the duration of their chosen course. It covers all levels of education—school, vocational, and higher education—and lets eligible students bring dependents, work limited hours, and access post-study pathways after graduation.

• Financial proof: Students must show at least AUD 29,710 for annual living costs (up from 24,505). Add AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 per dependent child.

• Visa fee: Increases from AUD 1,600 to 2,000.

• Genuine Student (GS) requirement: Replaces the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test. Applicants must clearly explain their course of choice, how it fits their background and career goals, and how they’ll comply with visa conditions.

• English requirement: The minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0 overall (previously 5.5). For packaged ELICOS courses, it’s now 5.0, and for foundation/pathway programs, 5.5.

• Work rights: Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (≈24 hours/week) during their course and unlimited hours during holiday breaks. Master's by research and PhD students may work unlimited hours.

• New processing rules for 2026 (Ministerial Direction 115):  
  From 14 November 2025, offshore student visa applications are assessed using a new traffic-light priority model based on each university or college’s ability to manage its approved enrolment cap.

  • Green Zone (Institutions using below 80% of allocation) – fastest processing

  • Amber Zone (Institutions using 80–115% of allocation) – standard processing

  • Red Zone (Institutions using above 115% of allocation) – slower processing

This means faster and more predictable outcomes for students applying to providers with strong compliance and available capacity.

• Visa transitions: Students on visitor or temporary graduate visas can no longer switch to a student visa from within Australia. Applications must now be made offshore.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) lets international students who have completed eligible qualifications in Australia stay temporarily to gain work experience and prepare for skilled migration pathways. From 2025, the visa has been streamlined and renamed to better reflect the qualification level and type of study completed.

Renamed streams:

1. Post-Higher Education Work Stream (previously Post-Study Work Stream): for graduates with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a registered Australian institution.

2. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (previously Graduate Work Stream): for graduates who completed vocational education and training (VET) courses that relate to an occupation on Australia’s skilled occupation list.

3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (previously Second Post-Study Work Stream): for eligible graduates who studied in a designated regional area and want to extend their stay.

Eligibility changes:

1. Age limit: Reduced to 35 years at the time of application (previously up to 50).

2. English requirement: Applicants now need a minimum of IELTS 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each band. IELTS results must have been issued within 12 months immediately before the day the applicant applies for the 485 visa.

3. Study requirements: The qualification must be from a CRICOS-registered course, completed in Australia while holding a valid student visa.

Visa duration:

1. 2 years: Bachelor’s and Master’s by coursework

2. 3 years: Master’s by Research and Doctoral (PhD) degrees

3. The two-year extension for selected degrees in skill shortage areas (introduced in July 2023) has now ended.

4. Students holding this visa can, however, live in a regional area for an extra year or two, depending on their circumstances, by applying for a Second Post-Study Work stream visa.

As Australia strengthens its visa framework, understanding these updates is essential for smooth application planning and future career prospects. Whether you're preparing to study, bring dependants, or explore post-study work options, staying informed will help you make confident decisions and maximise the opportunities available during and after your studies in Australia.

Talk to an IDP expert today for free for more details and make your study-abroad journey smooth and stress-free.