Last Updated: 6 October 2026
International students are assessed against the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, which replaced the older Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test in March 2024. Case officers weigh your study motivation, course choice, financial evidence and ties to your home country, and because this assessment is case-by-case, different applicants can receive different outcomes even with similar circumstances.
This guide covers what you can realistically do to present a stronger application, and what changed under the student visa reforms that took effect on 2 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The Genuine Student (GS) requirement, not the older GTE test, governs how subclass 500 applications are assessed.
- Choosing a course linked to your background or study history can support your case.
- Studying at a higher qualification level (Bachelor's, Master's or Graduate Diploma) is generally viewed favourably.
- From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders in Australia, including Visitor (subclass 600) visa holders, can no longer lodge a Student visa application while in Australia.
- From 2 October 2026, Student visa applicants generally can't include a partner or dependent child, and can no longer add one after the visa is granted, except in limited exemption cases.
- No visa outcome can be guaranteed. A registered migration agent can assess your specific circumstances.
What Home Affairs Is Actually Assessing
Home Affairs applies closer scrutiny to some applications based on evidentiary risk factors, which can include your country of passport alongside your individual study and travel history. If you're applying from a country or circumstance that attracts more scrutiny, the points below are particularly relevant.
If you'd like a read on your own situation before you apply, our registered migration agents can talk through your options.
Choose a Course Linked to Your Background
Studying a course connected to your previous work experience or education generally supports your Genuine Student case, since it shows a consistent interest in the field. If there's a significant gap since your last related study or work, a short online course in that area beforehand can help demonstrate continuity.
Consider a Higher-Level Course
Applicants studying at Bachelor's, Master's or Graduate Diploma level are generally viewed more favourably than those at lower qualification levels, though your overall study plan and genuine intent still matter more than the course level alone.
Applying for a Student Visa From Onshore: What Changed on 2 October 2026
Under the previous rules, some applicants moved to Australia on a Visitor visa and later lodged a Student visa application while still in the country. This is no longer possible for most people.
From 2 October 2026, under the Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 and Instrument LIN 26/102, 17 visa subclasses, including the Visitor (subclass 600), Working Holiday (subclass 417/462) and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas, can no longer be used to lodge a Student or Student Guardian visa application while the holder is in Australia. If you're affected, you'll need to apply from outside Australia and remain outside the country until the visa is granted.
Current Student visa holders applying for a further Student visa are also generally required to apply from outside Australia, unless a specific exemption applies (for example, continuing the same course within 12 months of its end date, or progressing to a higher AQF-level course with the same provider).
Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 continue to be assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged.
Need More Clarifications?
For your specific situation, it's worth booking a consultation with one of our migration agents to confirm whether you need to apply onshore or offshore.
Including a Partner or Children in Your Application
From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent child in their application. Exemptions are limited to PhD students, applicants sponsored by DFAT or Defence, recipients of a foreign government scholarship, and eligible applicants from Pacific or ASEAN member countries.
Partners or children can no longer be added to a Student visa after it's granted (the "subsequent entrant" pathway), and there are no exemptions to this part of the rule. If you already have family members included on a current Student visa, you may be able to carry them over into your next application, provided everyone applies at the same time and from the same location.
Because these changes are recent and the exemption categories are specific, it's worth confirming how they apply to your situation with a registered migration agent before you make any enrolment or travel plans.
Disclaimer
The information above is general in nature. Visa outcomes depend on individual circumstances, and no visa agent can guarantee approval. For advice specific to your situation, contact a migration agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Genuine Student requirement?
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is the test Home Affairs uses to assess whether you intend to study in Australia genuinely. It replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test for Student visa (subclass 500) applications lodged from 23 March 2024. Case officers consider factors such as your study motivation, course choice and circumstances.
Can I apply for a student visa in Australia if I hold a Visitor visa?
Generally, no. From 2 October 2026, holders of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) and several other temporary visas can't lodge a Student or Student Guardian visa application while in Australia. You would need to apply from outside Australia.
Can I apply for another student visa without leaving Australia?
Only in limited cases. Home Affairs lists exemptions that include needing up to 12 more months to finish your main course with the same provider, progressing to a higher AQF-level course, PhD study, school study, and certain DFAT or Defence-sponsored students. If no exemption applies, you would need to apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Can I include my partner or children in my student visa application?
In most cases, no. From 2 October 2026, family members generally can't be included unless an exemption applies. Exemptions cover PhD students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students, recipients of a foreign government scholarship, and eligible students from Pacific or ASEAN member countries.
Can I add my family to my student visa after it's granted?
No. From 2 October 2026, family members can't be added to a Student visa after grant, and Home Affairs states there are no exemptions to this rule. If your family members are already included on your current Student visa, you may be able to include them in your next application.
Do the October 2026 changes affect an application I've already lodged?
No. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026, including those that included family members, continue to be assessed under the rules in place when they were lodged.
Does studying at a higher level improve my chances of approval?
It may support your application, since a course that fits your background and goals can strengthen your Genuine Student case. Visa outcomes depend on your individual circumstances, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
