The Department of Education has released new guidance for providers and students on the temporary extension of the international student transfer restriction period from six to 12 months.
The change, which took effect on 2 October, amends Standard 7 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 and applies to international students other than school students. It follows the migration reforms announced by Immigration and Citizenship Minister Tony Burke on 17 September.
Under the new rule, a provider generally cannot enrol a student seeking to transfer from another registered provider until the student has completed 12 months of their principal course, unless one of the existing exceptions or release arrangements under Standard 7 applies.
The 12-month restriction is a temporary measure until 30 June 2027. From 1 July 2027, the restriction will return to six months, but students seeking to change providers after arriving in Australia will need to apply for a new student visa through a new transfer stream. (TKN 011026)
The guidance clarifies that:
- the restriction is measured from commencement of an international student’s principal course, not an additional 12 months from 2 October
- students already accepted for enrolment by a new provider before the change took effect are not caught by the new restriction
- students who were being recruited but had not yet been accepted must be assessed against the new 12-month rule
- PRISMS has been updated and will prevent a provider from creating a Confirmation of Enrolment for a student who remains transfer-restricted
- students can still seek an early release under Standard 7, including where compassionate or compelling circumstances apply
- the six-month restriction for school students remains unchanged.
The fact sheets also confirm that the change applies to students who had not completed 12 months of their principal course when the new rule took effect. As a result, some students who had already completed six months and were free to transfer under the previous rule are now restricted again until they reach 12 months.
The Department has published separate fact sheets for providers and students.
