Quick Answer
On 6 October 2026 the Coalition (Opposition) announced it would abolish the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa if it wins the next federal election. A new “post-study transitional visa” would cover only PhD graduates, health and education students, and students at regional universities. This is an Opposition policy, not law, and nothing about the 485 has changed today. What is happening under the current government: the 2 October student visa rules are in force, restrictions on including family members in 485 applications are coming, and a new Student visa Transfer stream starts 1 July 2027. From then, students changing provider will need the new visa granted before they start at the new provider.
International students have been hit with headlines from both sides of politics in the past fortnight. The new student visa rules took effect on 2 October 2026. Four days later, the Opposition promised to scrap the 485 graduate visa for most students. This guide separates what is law now, what the government has announced but not yet put into law, and what is only an Opposition proposal, so you can plan your study and post-study path on facts.
Worried about how these changes affect your study or 485 plans? Umar Ashraf (MARA #2619222) can map out your 500 → 485 → PR timeline. Consultations are available in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. Book a free consultation →
Law Now vs Announced vs Proposed
| Change | Status | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Most temporary visa holders can’t apply for a Student visa onshore; family members can’t be included or added later (limited exemptions) | Law, in force since 2 October 2026 | New Student visa applications (see our full 2 October guide) |
| 12-month wait before changing provider (up from 6 months) | In force since 2 October 2026, temporary until 30 June 2027 | Non-school students (see changing course or provider) |
| 485 visa application charge rose to $5,750 | In force since 1 July 2026 | 485 applicants (Pacific, Timor-Leste and ASEAN applicants were excluded from the increase) |
| Restrictions on including family members in 485 applications | Announced by the government, details and start date not yet published | Future 485 applicants |
| New Student visa Transfer stream | Announced by the government for 1 July 2027 | Students changing education provider |
| Abolish the 485 and replace it with a narrow post-study visa | Opposition proposal only | Would apply only if the Coalition wins government and passes the change |
The Coalition’s 485 Proposal: What Was Announced
On Tuesday 6 October 2026, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor announced three migration policy proposals affecting international education:
- Abolish the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and create new “post-study transitional visas” only for students completing PhDs, studying health or education, or studying at regional universities.
- Restrict visas for “most” partners and children of students, a policy that overlaps with the government’s own 2 October changes.
- Require second and subsequent temporary visa applications to be made offshore, which goes further than the government’s onshore restrictions.
As education policy analyst Andrew Norton notes in The Conversation, 485 grants (144,063) outnumbered onshore student visa grants (134,413) in 2025–26. That makes the 485 the main way former students stay in Australia, so abolishing it would be a major change. A lot would depend on how “regional university” is defined, since many regional universities teach international students at campuses in capital cities.
Does This Affect Me Today?
No. An Opposition announcement has no legal effect. The 485 visa, its streams, its eligibility rules and its current fee all stay the same. The proposal could only become law if the Coalition wins the next federal election and then makes the regulation changes. No commencement date, transitional arrangements or protection for existing visa holders have been set out in law, because there is no law yet.
Be wary of anyone using the announcement to rush you. An agent or provider urging you to “enrol now before the 485 disappears” is selling on fear, not facts. If you are a genuine student with a real study plan, make decisions on the rules that apply now.
What the Government Has Already Announced
1. Family Members on 485 Visas
The government’s Study Australia guidance (updated 7 October 2026) confirms that “restrictions on the ability of Temporary Graduate visa applicants to include family members in their application will be introduced”, with more information to come. The Minister’s statement says the changes “will not separate families already in Australia where family members hold Student or Temporary Graduate visas as secondary applicants.” If your partner or children are already on your Student visa, keep their visa status continuous. Read our guide on 485 subsequent entrants and watch for the regulation.
2. The Student Visa Transfer Stream (1 July 2027)
According to Assistant Minister Julian Hill’s 2 October statement:
- From 1 July 2027, students who want to change provider after arriving in Australia must apply for a new Student visa in a Transfer stream
- You must receive the new visa before you start studying at the new provider
- The end date of your visa stays the same, so a transfer doesn’t give you extra time in Australia
- Transfers are only allowed at the same level or up the Australian Qualifications Framework
- Students can no longer come to Australia for Higher Education and then transfer onshore to VET
Until then, the temporary 12-month provider-transfer restriction applies. Study Australia says the Transfer stream details are still being developed.
How to Plan Your Study and Post-Study Path Now
- Choose your course carefully the first time. With limits on onshore applications and transfers, changing your mind later is much harder. Our guide to choosing the right course for PR explains how.
- Time your 500 → 485 move so you don’t fall into a gap. See 500 to 485 timing.
- Budget for the $5,750 485 charge (see our 2026–27 visa fees guide).
- If you have a partner or children, check whether you fall into an exemption before applying for any new visa. If they are already with you, protect their continuous visa status.
- Check whether a visa you hold now must apply offshore. See our list of the 17 visas that can’t switch to a Student visa onshore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 485 visa being abolished?
Not under current law. On 6 October 2026 the Coalition (Opposition) announced it would abolish the 485 visa if it wins government and replace it with a narrower post-study visa. This is an Opposition policy proposal. The 485 visa continues to operate under its current rules.
Who would still get a post-study visa under the Coalition plan?
The Coalition said its new post-study transitional visas would be for students completing PhDs, studying health or education, or studying at regional universities. Details, including how regional universities would be defined, have not been published.
Can I still bring my family on a 485 visa?
For now, yes, under current rules. However, the government has announced that restrictions on including family members in Temporary Graduate visa applications will be introduced. The details and start date have not yet been published. The government has said families already in Australia on Student or Temporary Graduate visas as secondary applicants will not be separated.
What is the Student visa Transfer stream?
It is a new stream the government intends to start on 1 July 2027. Students changing education provider will need to apply for a new Student visa in this stream and receive it before starting at the new provider. The visa end date stays the same, and transfers are only allowed at the same AQF level or higher.
How much does the 485 visa cost in 2026?
The 485 visa application charge rose to A$5,750 on 1 July 2026. Eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and ASEAN member states were excluded from the increase.
Should I rush to apply for a 485 because of the Coalition announcement?
No. An Opposition announcement does not change the law. Apply for a 485 when you are eligible and your evidence (qualification completion, English, AFP check, health insurance) is ready. A rushed, incomplete application is a bigger risk than a policy that is not law.
Disclaimer: This article summarises the Australian Government’s published Student visa reforms (Study Australia, updated 7 October 2026, and the Assistant Minister’s statement of 2 October 2026) and the Coalition’s 6 October 2026 policy announcement as reported. It is general information, not legal advice. Announced and proposed changes are not law until made, so check the Department of Home Affairs website or speak to a MARA-registered agent about your situation.
Call Umar directly: 0424 260 655
Email: info@magpieconsultants.com.au
Office: Office #3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076
Consultations in: English | اردو Urdu | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi | हिन्दी Hindi
Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
