New Rules For Student Visa In Australia 2026

Australia remains one of the most sought-after destinations for international students, known for high-quality education, vibrant multicultural cities, and excellent post-study opportunities. But with growing demand and pressures on housing and infrastructure, the Australian government has updated its student visa regime. These changes affect how, when, and how quickly your visa is processed and what you must prepare before applying.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the new rules for the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) in 2026, with actionable insights and practical advice to help future students and families.

1. The Bigger Picture: Student Visa Reforms in Australia

Australia’s student visa framework has undergone significant reform in the past few years. The emphasis has shifted from simply allowing international enrolments to managing growth sustainably and prioritising genuine students who are there primarily for study, not migration or exploitative pathways.

The key goals of these reforms include:

• Quality control: Reducing low-quality providers and “visa mills” that enrol students without real education intent. 
• Balanced growth: Ensuring student numbers grow in line with Australia’s infrastructure and labour market needs. 
• Integrity in processing: Prioritizing applications based on compliance and student intentions. 

These changes are part of a broader strategy to keep the international education sector strong, credible, and beneficial for students and the Australian community alike.

2. New Student Visa Processing Rule: Ministerial Direction 115 (MD115)

One of the major changes for student visas in 2026 is the new Ministerial Direction 115, which replaced the previous processing rules. This came into effect 14 November 2025.

How MD115 Works

Under MD115, the speed at which your visa application is processed depends on how close your chosen institution is to reaching its student intake allocation. This concept is linked to Australia’s National Planning Level.

Australia sets a National Planning Level (NPL), essentially a guideline for how many new international student commencements the country expects in a year. For 2026, this figure has been set at 295,000, up from 270,000 in 2025. 

Three-Tier Processing System

Offshore (outside Australia) Student visa applications are now processed in three priority levels:

If a provider exceeds 115% of its annual student allocation, the applications linked to that institution can be pushed to the back of the visa queue, extending wait times. 

This “traffic-light”-style prioritisation encourages balanced enrolments across universities and colleges and avoids oversaturation at a few big institutions.

👉 Tip: If you’re choosing a university or college, check its current enrolment utilisation and expected processing category before applying, it can affect your visa timeline significantly.

3. National Planning Level (NPL) for 2026

The National Planning Level (NPL) is a tool, not a strict cap. It guides how many student visa applications are prioritised faster.

For 2026, the NPL for international student commencements is set at 295,000. This is a 9% increase compared to 2025, reflecting a careful shift toward growth in Australia’s student population.

What This Means

• There is no hard cap stopping students from applying once the NPL number is reached, you can still apply. 
• It influences how quickly visas are processed under the priority system. 
• Some student groups (e.g., certain scholarship holders or students from Pacific nations) may retain higher priority. 

4. Updated Visa Application Requirements

a. Increased Visa Fees

• From 1 July 2025, the base application charge for Subclass 500 visas increased to AUD 2,000.
  This fee is payable when lodging the application and cannot be refunded if a visa is refused.

b. Financial Capacity Requirements

Applicants now need to demonstrate stronger proof of financial capacity, which includes:

• Living costs of at least AUD 29,710 per year. 
• Proof of funds for tuition fees.
• Evidence of money held in account for at least a few months before applying.

The intention behind this is to ensure students genuinely have the means to support themselves while in Australia.

c. Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

Australia has replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test with a Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This focuses more narrowly on whether the applicant’s primary intention is to study, based on:

• Academic history,
• Career goals related to the chosen course,
• Logical progression in education,
• Overall study plan. 

This test is part of assessing whether an applicant’s purpose aligns with Australian student visa requirements.

d. Mandatory Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

All applicants must now provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when submitting their visa application, mere offer letters are not accepted.

This ensures that the place in the course is genuine and ready to be verified before a visa is granted.

e. Work Rights and Limits

Students on a Subclass 500 visa are officially permitted to work:

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. 
• Unlimited hours during official course breaks like semesters holidays.

There are proposals to review or potentially adjust these hours in 2026, but as of now, these limits stand. 

5. Processing Times and What to Expect

While official processing times vary widely based on provider category (Priority 1 vs Priority 3), here’s a rough idea from industry observations:

• Priority 1: 1–4 weeks
• Priority 2: 5–8 weeks
• Priority 3: Up to 12+ weeks

These timelines are indicative only and depend on complete applications and absence of issues requiring further checks. 

6. Tips for a Strong Application

Here are practical tips to improve your chances and reduce delays:

✔ Apply Early: Submit your visa application well before the intake you’re targeting.
✔ Complete Documentation: Missing or incorrect paperwork is a common cause of delays.
✔ Use an Experienced Migration Agent: A registered migration agent can help ensure you meet all requirements and submit a compliant application on time.
✔ Choose Your Provider Wisely: Institutions operating within their allocation may get faster processing under MD115.
✔ Meet Financial & Genuine Student Criteria: Prepare strong evidence for both to avoid refusals or lengthy checks.

Final Thoughts

Australia’s student visa landscape in 2026 reflects a balancing act: encouraging international education growth while ensuring visa integrity and genuine study purposes. With a dynamic processing system, higher financial thresholds, and a focus on compliance, international students are being asked to prepare more thoroughly but the destination remains one of the most rewarding places to study globally.

If you’re planning study in Australia in 2026, it’s essential to stay updated on these evolving rules, prepare documentation meticulously, and plan your application timeline strategically.