No More "Visa Hopping": Australia's New Rules on Switching Student Courses (2026)

It was once common to see a student coming to Australia, settling in, and then, after a few months, deciding that the course they had chosen was not the one that was for them. 

A less expensive degree is a more attractive choice, or the other city might be more suitable. The option to change courses - in some cases visas as well - has been a long-standing way of prolonging everyone's stay in the country.

Now, it's a much larger decision - as of 17 September 2026. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced new rules being put in place to end "visa hopping"; the process of the change could have a dramatic impact on anyone's plans who is currently studying in Australia – or thinks about studying in Australia.

Key Takeaways

• For international students, it will now generally be a straightforward course transfer rather than switching institutions or courses, and this may entail lodging a fresh visa application.

• There's now a one-way street in the qualification ball - no one will be denied admission to a master's course because they have a bachelor's degree.

• The change is focused on students who change course repeatedly in order to remain in Australia to study for an uninspiring reason.

• Prospective visas will also, in most cases, be given a “no further stay” condition, thereby making it more difficult to obtain a visa onshore and for them to then become eligible for a bridging visa.

• If you have a new visa application, you need to pay a new VIS charge – and this may not have been the case for the course change in the past.

• This is part of a wider crackdown on those who act as course or visa switchers for people who need genuine reasons to switch their courses or visas.

What Changed?

Under the new rules, a student who wants to transfer to a different course generally needs to apply for a new student visa, rather than simply notifying their existing visa of a change in enrolment.

On top of that, the direction of movement now matters. Mr Burke gave a specific example in his speech: a bachelor's degree graduate can apply to study a master's course, because that is a genuine step up in qualification level. 

What is no longer permitted is moving sideways or downward - for instance, finishing a master's degree and then enrolling in a lower-level diploma, or switching from one bachelor's degree to an unrelated one at the same level, purely to reset the visa clock.

in Australia on a student visa.

Sources: ABC News - "Labor tightens visa rules as Tony Burke vows migration targets will be met", published 17 September 2026

Why Was the Rule Introduced?

Mr Burke described the pattern this rule targets in blunt terms: students hopping from institution to institution, up and down between qualification levels, in a way that is really just seeking an ongoing migration outcome rather than a genuine education. 

His view is that this has effectively become its own business model within parts of the international education sector, and the government intends to end it.

This sits alongside a related change to visitor visas, which will now generally carry a "no further stay" condition. That closes off a similar pattern where someone arrives as a visitor, then applies for a different visa once already in the country, and ends up drifting onto a bridging visa rather than leaving as originally intended.

What Is the New Rule on Switching Courses?

It helps to separate this into two different scenarios, because they are treated differently:

 

The Fine Print for Students Already Enrolled.

If you are already studying in Australia and thinking about a change, two practical things are worth weighing up before you commit to anything.

Cost: a new visa application generally means a new visa application charge on top of whatever administrative fees your current and new institutions may charge.

Timing and continuity: applying for a new visa is not instantaneous, so a course change now needs to be planned around visa processing time, not just enrolment dates.

What Students Should Do Now?

Think through a course change carefully before acting on it, rather than treating it as a simple administrative step. If a change in direction, institution, or qualification level is genuinely part of your study and career plan, that is very different from a change made mainly to extend your time in the country, and it is worth being able to explain the difference if asked clearly.

Getting advice from a registered migration agent before you commit to switching is the safest way to ensure the change you are planning is treated as you expect under these new rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Switch to an Easier Course on My Student Visa?

Not in the way this may have worked previously. The new rules only generally permit moving to a higher qualification level, not sideways or downward, and switching institutions now generally requires a new visa application.

Do I Need a New Visa if I Want to Study a Different Course?

In most cases, yes. Switching institutions or courses now generally requires a fresh visa application rather than a simple course transfer notification.

Can I Move From a Diploma to a Bachelor's Degree Under the New Rule?

Moving to a higher qualification level, such as from a diploma toward a bachelor's degree, fits the kind of upward movement Mr Burke described as generally permitted. A qualified agent can confirm how this applies to your specific course pathway.

Does This Rule Apply to Students Already Studying in Australia?

Yes, this affects any course change made going forward, including by students who are already in Australia on a student visa.

Book free consultation and discuss your study or migration plan with the Melbourne team.