If you hold a student visa and want to keep studying, you will usually need a new student visa for your next course. Since 2 October 2026, most student visa holders must be outside Australia to apply. One of the main exceptions is moving up to a higher level qualification. This guide explains how the rule works and which course changes qualify.
Key points
- Most current student visa holders must now apply for their next student visa from outside Australia.
- You can still apply in Australia if you have completed your main course and are moving to a course at a higher AQF level.
- If your completed course was a higher education course, your next course must be a higher education course with a higher education provider.
- You can only be enrolled in one further course to use this exemption.
- Moving sideways or down, for example from a Bachelor to a Diploma, generally means applying offshore.
What is the AQF?
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) ranks qualifications from level 1 to level 10. Your student visa is usually granted for a principal course, which is the course with the highest AQF level on your visa.
| AQF level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| 5 | Diploma |
| 6 | Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree |
| 7 | Bachelor Degree |
| 8 | Bachelor Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma |
| 9 | Masters Degree |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree |
The course progression exemption
You must finish before you move up. To apply in Australia under this exemption, you must:
- hold a student visa when you apply;
- have completed the principal course your visa was granted for, or an approved alternative principal course;
- be enrolled in no more than one further course;
- move to a course with a higher AQF level than the one you completed;
- if the completed course was a higher education course, move to a higher education course delivered by a higher education provider.
If your completed course had no AQF level, such as an English language course, your next course must have an AQF level. School students who finish school can also apply onshore for a course without an AQF level.
Examples
| Completed course | Next course | Apply in Australia? |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma (AQF 5) | Bachelor (AQF 7) | Generally yes |
| Bachelor (AQF 7) | Masters (AQF 9) | Yes, if with a higher education provider |
| Bachelor (AQF 7) | Diploma (AQF 5) | No, apply offshore |
| Masters (AQF 9) | Graduate Diploma (AQF 8) | No, apply offshore |
| Bachelor (AQF 7) | Graduate Diploma (AQF 8) at a vocational college | No, the next course must be with a higher education provider |
| English course (no AQF level) | Diploma (AQF 5) | Generally yes |
| Diploma, not yet completed | Bachelor | Not under this exemption |
Other onshore exemptions
- finishing your current course with up to 12 extra months after your CoE end date, with the same provider. See needing more time to finish your course;
- enrolling in a PhD;
- Foreign Affairs and Defence sponsored students, and school students;
- your provider defaulted. See provider default.
The Genuine Student requirement still applies
Meeting the exemption only lets you lodge in Australia. Your new course must still make sense for your study history and goals, and you must meet English, financial and health insurance requirements. A step up that looks like a way to stay rather than study can still be refused. See the Genuine Student requirement and changing courses.
What you should do now
- Check your course is finished: the exemption needs a completed principal course.
- Compare AQF levels: your next course must be higher.
- Check the provider type: higher education must follow higher education.
- Apply before your visa expires: you must hold a student visa when you apply onshore.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a new student visa in Australia in 2026?
Only if an exemption applies, such as moving to a higher AQF level after completing your main course, finishing your course with extra time, a PhD, or provider default.
Can I go from a Bachelor to a Diploma onshore?
No. Moving down the AQF scale means applying for your next student visa from outside Australia.
Can I do a Masters after my Bachelor and stay in Australia?
Generally yes, if you have completed the Bachelor and the Masters is with a higher education provider.
Can I enrol in two further courses?
The exemption only applies if you are enrolled in no more than one further course.
Do I need to leave Australia if the exemption does not apply?
Yes. You must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
Related guides
- Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
- More time to finish your course
- Applying from outside Australia
- Changing courses and providers
- Genuine Student requirement
- Student visa (subclass 500)
Planning your next course? Book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice for your situation.
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