Australia Student Visa Changes 2026: Can You Still Bring Family?
Work Visa Lawyers reports that the new student visa rules commenced on 2 October 2026 and apply to visa applications made on or after that date. Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent children unless an exemption applies, and current Student visa holders cannot add family members once their visa is granted. A Student visa holder who wants a further Student visa as the main applicant will usually now need to apply from outside Australia, unless one of the listed onshore pathways applies, such as needing up to 12 more months to finish a course with the same provider or progressing to a course at a higher AQF level.
What this means
If you are on a student visa while you look for a 482 sponsor, the article says a sideways move to a different course or provider at the same level will generally now need to be applied for from offshore. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the old rules, and family already in Australia keep their current visa until you leave or become eligible for a permanent visa.
Source: Work Visa Lawyers