New course, new student visa

You can't simply "extend" a student visa – you apply for a new Student visa (subclass 500) for your next course. From 2 October 2026, most Student visa applications must be lodged outside Australia. If you hold a student visa, you can still apply in Australia only if you meet one of the exemptions set by Home Affairs, for example:

you need up to 12 more months to finish your main course with the same education provider;
you have completed your main course and are moving to a course at a higher AQF level (after a higher education course, only to another higher education course);
your education provider has defaulted and you cannot continue your course.

The other exemptions cover students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Defence, PhD students and primary or secondary school students. If no exemption applies, you would need to apply from outside Australia – so plan your timing early.

We look at your study history and your plans
We help you choose a course that is a genuine next step
We check the current requirements and help you get your documents ready

Changing course or provider

Sometimes a course isn't what you expected, or a different provider suits you better. Changing is often possible, but it can affect your enrolment, your visa and your plans, so it is worth checking before you decide.

We explain what a change could mean for you, what you may need to arrange with your current provider and whether your visa is affected. Read our article on things to check before changing course for a first overview.

Rules change often. We check the current requirements for your situation before we give you advice – please don't rely on general information alone, including this page.

Last checked: 20 October 2026 – source: Home Affairs (Student visa (subclass 500)). Rules change – always check the current information on the Home Affairs website.

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