Important change to Student visa applications lodged in Australia

Starting 1 January 2025, if you are applying for a Student visa while already in Australia, you now need to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) with your application. This is now the same requirement for any Student visa applications lodged inside or outside Australia.

What does this mean for you?

New applications:

• If you apply for a Student visa on or after 1 January 2025, you must include a CoE when submitting your application.
• Without a CoE, your application will be considered invalid.

Applications before January 2025:

If you submitted your application before 1 January 2025 using only a Letter of Offer, your application will not be affected.

Bridging visas:

An associated Bridging visa cannot be granted when your Student visa application is not valid. This means that before your current visa expires you either need to:

• obtain a CoE and lodge a new Student visa application
• explore other visa options, or
• leave Australia. 

Who is not affected?

Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Secondary Exchange Students are not affected.

Staying compliant

If your current visa is about to expire and you cannot get a CoE in time, you must:

• leave Australia before your visa expires, or
• explore other visa options.

Keep in mind that there are now restrictions on applying for a Student visa while in Australia if you hold certain types of visas.

Please plan ahead, ensuring you have all the required documents when applying for a Student visa.