Australia Student Visa Changes 2026–27: What Pakistani Students Need to Know

Last checked: October 2026. Australian student visa settings change often. Always confirm the latest rules on the Department of Home Affairs and Study Australia websites before you apply.

Australia remains one of the top study destinations for Pakistani students, but the rules have changed a lot since 2024. There is now a national planning level for new international students, a new system that decides which visa applications are processed first, a higher visa fee, and stricter checks on whether applicants are genuine students. This guide explains every important change in simple terms, and what it means if you are planning to study in Australia in 2026 or 2027.

1. National Planning Level: 295,000 for 2026 and 2027

Australia now sets a yearly National Planning Level (NPL) for new overseas student commencements. Each university and college receives an “allocation”, meaning the number of new international students it is expected to take.

• 2026: 295,000 new international students, 25,000 more than in 2025
• 2027: the government confirmed on 3 July 2026 that the level stays at 295,000
• No active education provider will receive a lower allocation in 2027 than in 2026

The NPL is a planning tool, not a hard limit on visa grants. Genuine students who meet the requirements can still get a visa. However, which institution you choose now matters much more than before (see MD115 below).

Who Is Exempt from the Planning Level?

• Students at TAFE institutes, and VET students at dual-sector public universities
• Higher degree by research (HDR) students, such as Master by Research and PhD students
• Certain government scholarship students
• Students in approved transnational education (TNE) programs

2. Ministerial Direction 115: Which Applications Are Processed First

Since 14 November 2025, offshore Student visa applications are processed under Ministerial Direction 115 (MD115), which replaced the earlier MD111. It works like a three-level priority system:

• Higher priority: applications for providers that are well within their allocation
• Standard priority: providers approaching their allocation
• Lower priority: providers that have gone well beyond their allocation, where processing can be much slower

What this means for you: two students with the same profile can wait very different amounts of time, depending only on the institution they choose. Before accepting an offer, ask the university or college about its current processing priority. MD115 applies only to applications lodged from outside Australia, which includes students applying from Pakistan.

A Ministerial Direction will continue to be used in 2027. From 2027, the new Australian Tertiary Education Commission will oversee allocations for higher education providers.

3. Higher Visa Fee: AUD 2,500

From 1 July 2026, the standard Student visa (subclass 500) application fee increased to AUD 2,500 (from AUD 2,000). The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) fee also increased. Some groups, such as students from ASEAN countries and the Pacific, pay lower fees, but Pakistani students pay the standard amount.

The fee is not refunded if your visa is refused, which makes careful preparation even more important.

4. Genuine Student (GS) Requirement

Since 23 March 2024, the old Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. You answer short questions (up to 150 words each) in the online application, explaining your background, your choice of course and provider, and how the course will benefit you.

Read our full guide: How to Write a Strong Genuine Student (GS) Statement for Australia.

5. Financial Requirements

A single applicant must show access to about AUD 29,710 per year for living costs, in addition to tuition fees and travel costs. Officers check both the amount and the source of your funds, so sudden large deposits without clear evidence can lead to refusal.

See our guide to bank statement requirements for more detail.

6. English Language Requirements

Since March 2024, Student visa applicants generally need a higher English score than before, such as an IELTS overall score of 6.0 or an equivalent in another accepted test. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) requires a higher score again. Many universities set their own higher entry requirements, so check both the visa rule and your course requirement.

7. No More “Visa Hopping”

Since July 2024, people holding certain visas, including visitor visas and the Temporary Graduate visa (485), can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. If you want to study in Australia, apply for your Student visa from Pakistan. Do not travel on a visitor visa with the plan to switch.

What Pakistani Students Should Do Now

1. Choose your institution carefully. Consider its processing priority under MD115, not just its ranking or fee.
2. Apply early. Applications for providers near their allocation can take much longer.
3. Prepare strong GS answers that clearly connect your background, course and career plans.
4. Organise genuine, well-documented funds well before applying.
5. Meet the English requirement for both the visa and your course.
6. Budget for the AUD 2,500 fee, plus health cover (OSHC), biometrics and medical exams.
7. Consider exempt pathways if they suit you, such as research degrees or TAFE courses, which are outside the planning level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cap on Australian student visas in 2026?

There is a National Planning Level of 295,000 new international students for 2026, and the same for 2027. It is used to manage provider allocations and processing priority, not as a strict cap on visa grants.

Does MD115 affect students applying from Pakistan?

Yes. MD115 applies to offshore applications, so it affects students applying from Pakistan. Your processing priority depends on your chosen provider’s position against its allocation.

How much is the Australian student visa fee now?

The standard Student visa fee is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026.

Are PhD and research master’s students affected by the planning level?

Higher degree by research students are exempt from the National Planning Level, but they still need to meet all normal Student visa requirements.

Can I switch from a visitor visa to a student visa in Australia?

No. Since July 2024, visitor visa holders generally cannot apply for a Student visa from inside Australia.

Related Guides

• Australia Visa Guide for Pakistanis
• Australia Replaced GTE With the Genuine Student (GS) Requirement
• Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) from Pakistan

Have a Question?

This guide is for general information only. For your own application, always check the Department of Home Affairs website or consult a registered migration agent. If you notice any outdated information, please let us know.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and is not legal or migration advice. Dream Visa Guide is not affiliated with the Australian Government. Visa decisions are made solely by the Department of Home Affairs.