Australia is considering stricter student visa rules that could force international applicants to place tuition and living costs in Australian bank accounts before they apply. The Department of Home Affairs has opened a public consultation on the ideas, which began on 30 October and runs until 23 November 2026, as rejection rates climb—especially among South Asian applicants, a group that includes many Pakistani students.
Officials have not settled on a final package. They say they will weigh public comments before any change takes effect.
What the financial options would require
Four approaches are on the table. One would make students deposit 50% of total tuition and living expenses for the whole course in an eligible Australian bank account for at least one month, with limits on withdrawals. A second would keep the same 50% sum in an Australian account for three months, but without withdrawal restrictions.
A third option would require 100% of first-year tuition and living costs to sit in an Australian account for three months, again with possible limits on access. A fourth path would let applicants show capacity through approved education loans, scholarships, personal savings, or a mix of these, with limited exemptions from moving money into an Australian account.
Under the proposals, financial evidence would have to accompany visa applications no matter how an education provider is ranked under Evidence Level rules—the risk-based system Australia uses to grade source countries and providers. Applicants from Evidence Level 3 countries could face extra scrutiny, including bank statements covering at least six months of transactions. Loan checks could also tighten, with secured and government-backed financing preferred over unsecured personal loans. The temporary measures under discussion would not raise the overall sum students already need to show as proof of funds.
Genuine Student test and why rejections matter
The consultation also looks at the Genuine Student assessment—the check meant to confirm that study, not migration alone, is the main purpose of the visa. Greater weight would fall on academic records, course choice, and how an applicant has progressed in earlier study.
Speaking at the Australian International Education Conference 2026 in Sydney, Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill said high refusal rates were putting off genuine students. He said many feared that an Australian rejection could hurt their chances of studying elsewhere. Hill rejected claims that refusals were driven by migration targets, saying the concern was applicants who could not realistically pay for study without leaning on longer-term migration pathways.
Australian campuses are already feeling the squeeze. Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Renée Leon said government figures showed offshore higher education student visa grants down by more than 40% on the previous year. She urged clearer eligibility rules before students pay the A$2,500 visa application fee.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 30 October 2026: Home Affairs opens public consultation on proposed student visa financial and assessment changes.
- 2026 (Sydney): At the Australian International Education Conference, Julian Hill addresses high rejection rates and their effect on genuine applicants.
- Ongoing 2026: Institutions cite falling offshore higher education visa grants—more than 40% lower than the prior year, according to Renée Leon citing government figures.
- 23 November 2026: Consultation period scheduled to close; government says it will then review feedback before deciding.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Australia ab student visa ke liye mazeed sakht financial rules soch raha hai. Mumkin hai ke fees aur kharchay pehle Australian bank account mein jama karane padain. Consultation 23 November 2026 tak chalegi, koi final faisla abhi nahi hua. Pakistani aur doosre South Asian students ke liye pehle se zyada rejection aur proof ki zaroorat ho sakti hai.
