This story has been updated at 11.10am 23/03/24.
Several readers have contacted The Koala regarding the new Visa online form changes.
Declarations to be made via the new student visa online form may not be new; however, the question has been asked as to whether the government intend to impose conditions 8534 or 8535 limiting a student’s ability to pursue an additional course via an application from within Australia.
8534 visa condition is a no further stay condition. The department’s website states:
While you are in Australia, we will not grant you a new substantive visa, other than:
- a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa, or
- a Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa, or
- a Protection visa
8535 visa condition is a no further stay condition. The department website states:
While you are in Australia, we will not grant you a new substantive visa other than:
- a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa we grant you because you have support from the Commonwealth or a foreign government, or
- a protection visa
Student visas have several conditions. For the full list of conditions relevant to your visa, visit the Federal Register of Legislation.
Evidence of the declarations being part of the online form can be seen below.
If applied/imposed, a student would need to return home (or go outside of Australia) if they completed an undergraduate course and wanted to pursue a Masters Program. Or have completed a masters program and want to enrol into a Phd.
Ravi Lochan Singh, CEO of Global Reach Education Agent says of the change “Student visa holders are likely to have 8534 or 8535 no further stay condition. While they will allow 485 PSW, only 8535 holders may be allowed a further student visa as they are commonwealth-supported students. So most students will require a waiver from.”
“The condition to apply for a new student visa onshore for any reason. We will have more clarity soon, but if students are not allowed to apply for another student visa onshore, it is unfair as there are numerous genuine reasons.” He said.
The key phrase in the above is “if the condition is imposed”.
The Koala will investigate further and report back as to the government’s intentions.
