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TransfersPolicyStudent Visa Reforms

From October 2026, non-school student visa holders face a 12 month minimum before changing provider, with a Transfer stream announced for 1 July 2027

An interim rule in force from early October 2026 sets a 12 month minimum in the principal course before a non-school student can transfer providers. It runs to 30 June 2027. A separate Student visa Transfer stream is announced for 1 July 2027 and is not yet legislated.

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Data source: Ministerial media release of 2 October 2026 and Federal Register of Legislation entry F2026L01351. This is policy reporting only, not migration advice.

A media release dated 2 October 2026 says non-school students must now stay in their principal course for 12 months before seeking a transfer. The earlier period was six months. This article separates what is in force from what is only announced.

In force: the interim rule

The Federal Register lists instrument F2026L01351, the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students Amendment (Overseas Student Transfers) Instrument 2026. It is marked "In force" and is dated 1 October 2026. The release is dated 2 October 2026. StudyVisaHub's policy timeline records commencement on 1 October 2026.

The instrument amends the National Code, which sets standards for providers. It governs when a registered provider can enrol a student who is transferring from another provider.

The release says the 12 month period applies to non-school students. School students keep the six month restriction for their first registered school course. The release describes the 12 month period as interim, running until 30 June 2027. After that date, StudyVisaHub's record of the instrument shows the period falling back to six months.

Exceptions

The release says transfers are still allowed "in exceptional circumstances or where a provider or course ceases to be registered." StudyVisaHub's record of the instrument lists further exceptions: the releasing provider is sanctioned, the releasing provider agrees in writing, or a government sponsor supports the move. The release also describes transfers to a course at the same AQF level or higher. The operative text of the instrument could not be re-read for this article, so these points are unconfirmed against the instrument itself.

Announced, not yet in force: the Transfer stream

The release says a new Student visa transfer stream takes effect from 1 July 2027. From that date, students changing provider need to hold the new visa before they start study at the new provider.

The Study Australia page on the October 2026 changes is less specific. It says a Transfer stream is "intended to be introduced" and that the Government "is still developing details." It gives no start date. The release also says "mid-2027" in one place and 1 July 2027 in another. The StudyVisaHub policy timeline records the stream as announced, not legislated. No instrument creating it has been found.

What this does not tell you

This article does not say how many students are affected. It does not say how many transfers occurred before the change. The operative text of F2026L01351 was not available in readable form, so the exact wording of the exceptions is unconfirmed. The Transfer stream's criteria, fees and exact start date are not published. Nothing here describes how any individual case is handled.

Individual circumstances vary. This article is general information, not migration or legal advice. For guidance on a specific application, consult a MARA registered migration agent.

Pro tracks each announced policy change against its legislative status in one timeline.

Sources

StudyVisaHub is not a registered migration agent and does not provide immigration assistance. This article reports published Australian Government information and is general information only.