The change took effect on 2 October 2026 through an amendment to Australia’s National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018. The temporary 12-month restriction will apply until 30 June 2027.

This is particularly important for Indian students planning to study in Australia because changing universities, colleges or courses after arrival is a decision that can affect both their education plans and compliance with Australia’s international student rules.

Australia Student Transfer Rule 2026: Quick Facts

Who Is Affected by the New Rule?

The temporary 12-month restriction applies to overseas students other than school students. This covers international students studying in Australia across areas such as higher education and vocational education and training, subject to the specific rules that apply to their situation.

School students are treated differently. The Australian Government says school students remain subject to the existing restriction until they have completed the first 6 months of their first registered school-sector course.

What Is a Principal Course?

The transfer rule refers to a student’s principal course. In simple terms, this is the main course of study for which the student’s student visa arrangements apply.

Students considering a transfer should check their enrolment documents and speak directly with their education provider to understand which course is treated as their principal course.

What Does the 12-Month Rule Mean for Students?

Under the temporary arrangement, a non-school international student generally cannot simply arrive in Australia, study for a few months and move immediately to another registered education provider.

A receiving provider must not knowingly enrol an overseas student seeking to transfer from another registered provider unless the relevant requirements have been satisfied. For transfers occurring on or before 30 June 2027, this generally means the student has completed at least 12 months of the principal course.

Are There Exceptions to the 12-Month Restriction?

Yes. The amendment provides circumstances in which a receiving provider may enrol an overseas student before the normal restriction period has passed.

These include situations where:

• The student’s existing provider or the course has ceased to be registered.
• The existing provider has received a regulatory sanction preventing the student from continuing the course.
• The existing provider agrees to release the student, records the release in PRISMS and follows the required process.
• A government sponsor determines that the transfer is in the student’s best interests and provides written support.

Why Did Australia Introduce the Change?

The Australian Government says the measure is part of broader student-visa integrity reforms aimed at reducing misuse of the international education and migration systems.

The government has specifically referred to concerns around rapid or non-genuine transfers between education providers. The temporary restriction is intended to reduce these risks while further reforms take effect.

Another Important Change: Onshore Transfer Agent Commissions

Students should also be aware that Australia introduced a separate rule in January 2026 concerning education-agent commissions for onshore transfers.

The National Code now bans the payment of education-agent commissions in connection with the recruitment of overseas students who have already commenced studying with another registered provider, subject to transitional arrangements. The Australian Government says the change is intended to remove financial incentives for unnecessary transfers.

What Changes Again From 1 July 2027?

The 12-month restriction is a temporary transition measure. From 1 July 2027, Australia’s new transfer framework is scheduled to take effect.

Under the announced framework, students seeking to transfer to another provider will need to use a new student-visa transfer stream.

The announced changes include:

• The student must receive the new student visa before starting at the new provider.
• The new visa will retain the same end date as the original visa.
• Transfers will generally be permitted at the same Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level or higher.
• Transfers from higher education to VET onshore will no longer be permitted under the new transfer stream.
• Students will not be able to transfer into more packaged courses.

These announced future rules are separate from the temporary 12-month restriction that applies between 2 October 2026 and 30 June 2027.

What Indian Students Planning to Study in Australia Should Know

If you are an Indian student planning to study in Australia, choosing the right course and institution before applying has become even more important.

Before accepting an offer, consider:

• Whether the course matches your academic background and career plans.
• Whether the institution and course are appropriately registered for international students.
• The total tuition fees and living costs.
• The location and accommodation situation.
• The course duration and progression pathway.
• Whether you genuinely intend to complete the course.
• The implications of changing providers later.

What If You Are Already Studying in Australia?

If you are already in Australia and considering changing your education provider, do not simply enrol with another institution first.

Instead:

1. Check your current course and principal-course status.
2. Read your provider’s transfer policy.
3. Speak with your current education provider.
4. Ask the prospective provider whether it can legally enrol you under the current rules.
5. Check whether an exception applies to your situation.
6. Consider the effect on your student visa and course progression.
7. Keep written records of approvals, releases and enrolment decisions.

The Australian Government’s student guidance specifically advises students to refer to their provider where there is uncertainty about the transfer rules.

What Students Should Not Do

Australia Student Transfer Rules: Timeline

Australia Student Visa Transfer Rule 2026: Key Takeaways

• The transfer restriction for most non-school international students has increased from 6 months to 12 months.
• The temporary change took effect on 2 October 2026.
• The temporary 12-month restriction runs until 30 June 2027.
• School students continue to have a 6-month restriction for their first registered school course.
• There are specific exceptions for situations such as provider/course closure, regulatory sanctions, approved releases and certain government-sponsored transfers.
• From 1 July 2027, a new student-visa transfer framework is scheduled to apply.
• Students should choose their initial Australian course and institution carefully rather than assuming that transferring later will be easy.

Frequently Asked Questions