Updated: 1 October 2026 | Global Consult Planning to change your university or college in Australia? A new amendment extends the provider-transfer restriction for most international students from six months to twelve months of their principal course, subject to existing exceptions. The accompanying Explanatory Statement records...
Updated: 1 October 2026 | Global Consult
Planning to change your university or college in Australia? A new amendment extends the provider-transfer restriction for most international students from six months to twelve months of their principal course, subject to existing exceptions.
The accompanying Explanatory Statement records registration on 1 October 2026 and states that the amendment commences the following day, 2 October 2026. The twelve-month restriction applies until 30 June 2027, with the six-month period returning from 1 July 2027 under the amendment.
Importantly, this change can affect students who are already studying in Australia—not only new arrivals.
What does the twelve-month restriction mean?
Under the amended Standard 7 of the National Code, a receiving education provider generally must not knowingly enrol an international student transferring from another non-school provider until the student has completed at least twelve months of their principal course, unless an exception applies.
This means completing six months will no longer, by itself, allow a student to transfer without a release during the temporary period.
The restriction concerns changing education providers. It should not be treated as a blanket prohibition on every course change.
Existing students may become restricted again
The Explanatory Statement specifically addresses students who have completed more than six months but less than twelve months of their principal course.
For example, a student who has completed eight months may previously have been able to transfer without obtaining a release. From commencement of the amendment, that student becomes subject to the longer restriction.
They would generally need to:
- Obtain a release from their current provider;
- Qualify for another applicable exception; or
- Wait until they complete twelve months of their principal course, or until the six-month restriction returns on 1 July 2027.
Students who have already completed at least twelve months of their principal course are not affected by the extension.
What counts as the principal course?
The rule refers to study in the student’s principal course, rather than simply the time they have spent in Australia.
Students with packaged enrolments should check which course is their principal course and how the restriction applies to their enrolment history. They should not assume that time spent in an earlier English-language or preparatory course satisfies the principal-course requirement.
Can students still transfer within twelve months?
Yes. The amendment preserves exceptions allowing transfers during the restricted period where:
- The current provider grants a release in accordance with Standard 7;
- The current provider or the student’s course has ceased to be registered;
- A regulatory sanction prevents the student from continuing their course at the current provider; or
- A government sponsor considers the transfer to be in the student’s best interests and provides written support.
A release is not automatic. The current provider must assess the request under its transfer policy and National Code obligations.
The transfer restriction for students leaving an approved school provider remains unchanged.
Is a new student visa required for every transfer now?
This amendment does not itself introduce a requirement for every transferring student to obtain a new visa.
The Explanatory Statement refers to separate migration reforms intended to take effect in mid-2027, involving a stronger requirement to obtain a new student visa before changing providers. Those future reforms should be distinguished from the temporary twelve-month provider-transfer restriction.
Permission to transfer and compliance with student visa requirements remain separate matters. A provider release does not, by itself, resolve every visa issue.
What should students do before changing providers?
Before cancelling an enrolment or committing to a new course:
- Confirm your principal course and how much study you have completed.
- Check whether you remain within the transfer restriction period.
- Obtain your current provider’s transfer policy and clarify whether a release is required.
- Confirm the receiving provider’s enrolment requirements.
- Check the visa implications of your proposed change.
Students with pending transfers should seek a review, particularly if they have completed between six and twelve months of their principal course.
Speak with Global Consult
Changing providers can affect your study plans, enrolment and visa compliance. Global Consult’s education and migration teams can help you understand which checks apply before you proceed.
Contact Global Consult for an individual review of your proposed transfer.
Yogendra Poudel | Registered Migration Agent | MARN 1797600
Source: Explanatory Statement accompanying the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students Amendment (Overseas Student Transfers) Instrument 2026, F2026L01351, particularly pages 1–2 and 8–9.
This article provides general information based on the published Explanatory Statement. Individual circumstances and applicable visa requirements must be assessed separately.
