What is the Policy Change?
Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke announced this change on September 17, 2026 at the National Press Club in Canberra. Most international students coming to Australia will no longer be able to bring spouses or children with them.
Specifically, what is being eliminated is the secondary visa that family members of students use to travel. In other words, if you are an international student, you can still apply for a student visa, but your spouse or children will not be permitted to hold a dependent visa linked to your student visa.
Who is Exempt?
Doctoral students and students from Pacific and ASEAN nations are exempt. Additionally, government-sponsored students are also exempt.
Postgraduate research students, including doctoral students, are exempt and can still bring spouses and children. The minister linked this exemption to doctoral students typically being at a different life stage compared to undergraduate students.
The Scope of the Issue
The numbers indicate the impact will be substantial. Between July 2025 and June 2026, Australia issued 337,400 student visas, of which 46,000 were for dependents. South Asian nations accounted for over 70% of all dependent visas granted offshore in the previous financial year, with 10,448 visas issued to dependents of students from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka.
When Does It Take Effect?
Detailed implementation dates and visa-specific rules are expected to be announced in official government notices. No start date has been announced yet, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for updates on the timing when you submit your application.
Because this change is being implemented through regulation rather than legislation, it could be enacted faster than changes requiring parliamentary approval, but no date has been confirmed as of September 17, 2026.
Who Will Be Affected?
The government states that families already attached to visas in Australia will not be separated, and current arrangements will continue until they depart Australia or qualify for permanent residency. This means if your family is already in Australia on dependent visas, they will not be immediately affected.
However, the announcement focuses on future migration settings and applications. If you already hold a student visa, speak with a registered migration agent to understand how the changes may apply to your situation.
Why Is Australia Doing This?
The government intends to reduce net migration from approximately 300,000 people per year to 225,000 by 2028. The government has linked these reforms to broader migration management, housing pressures, and ensuring temporary visa pathways function as originally intended.
Points of Caution
Reaction from the education sector has been mixed. There is broad consensus that introducing measures to reduce visa hopping is fair, but the ban on dependents will deter many genuine students from choosing Australia.
Australia's approach is similar to the policy the United Kingdom introduced in 2024, when it banned most international students from bringing dependents and exempted only postgraduate research degrees. The UK's ban led to a sharp decline in international student enrollments at that time.
If you are considering studying in Australia with your family, contact a registered migration agent to better understand how this change affects your specific situation, particularly if you are not a doctoral student.
