Australia Strengthens Course Transfer Rules to Block Student Visa Hopping

Mandatory Separate Visa Application for Course Changes

Under new rules announced by the Australian government on October 1, international students must now apply for a separate visa when changing courses, unlike previous practice. This measure adds to existing rules that prevent students from downgrading from bachelor's or master's programs to vocational education courses.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced via social media, "New rules to end student visa hopping take effect today. This is to ensure an immigration system Australians can trust."

Additional Restrictions from July 2027

Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for International Education, stated that from July 1, 2027, students switching to different courses will not receive visa extensions. This measure aims to prevent "students from not showing up during the first six months or transferring to cheaper institutions after failing subjects."

During the transitional period until then, transfers within 12 months of course commencement will not be permitted.

Enhanced Enforcement Against Migration Agents and Lawyers

The government is also targeting migration agents and lawyers who sell false hope by assisting visa applications without factual or legal basis. The proposed changes prohibit agents from assisting applications they "know or should know lack reasonable factual or legal basis."

Assistant Minister Hill stated the Home Affairs Department will consult on holding migration lawyers accountable for similar misconduct. He noted cases where some lawyers deliberately submit applications destined for rejection, then appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and request ministerial intervention after subsequent rejection.

Policy Background and Objectives

These measures are part of a broader reform package to reduce net overseas migration. The Labor government aims to lower annual net overseas migration from approximately 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028.

Currently, over 400,000 people hold bridging visas, many of whom are international students applying for other visas. The government seeks to reduce this number.

Assistant Minister Hill stated that Australians do not believe they have a sacred right to hop from visa to visa for years or decades when going to other countries, and guests coming to Australia should be held to the same standard.

Original article: The Guardian