Can I change provider on a student visa in Australia

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1. How long must I study before I can change provider on a student visa?
2. I already studied for 6 months. Does the 12-month rule apply to me?
3. Can I transfer to another college before 12 months?
4. How do I ask my college for a release to change provider?
5. Does changing provider affect my student visa?
6. What changes for student visa holders changing provider in mid-2027?
7. Do you want help with your own situation?

Yes, you can change provider on a student visa in Australia, but a time rule comes first. Until 30 June 2027, a new college can enrol you only after you complete 12 months of your main course with your current college.1 Your current college can agree to let you move earlier. This is called a release.1

How long must I study before I can change provider on a student visa?

A student must first complete 12 months of the main course with the current college, for a transfer on or before 30 June 2027. The rule comes from the National Code, the Australian Government’s rulebook for colleges that teach international students. It stops a new college from enrolling a student who transfers until that time has passed.1

When the student transfers	Time the student must first complete
On or before 30 June 2027	12 months of the main course with the current college
On or after 1 July 2027	6 months of the main course with the current college
A school student, at any time	The first 6 months of the first school course

I already studied for 6 months. Does the 12-month rule apply to me?

Yes, if you have studied less than 12 months of your main course. The rule changed from 6 months to 12 months on 2 October 2026.2

• Between 6 and 12 months. The rule applies again “until they have completed a total of at least 12 months”.2
• 12 months or more. The 12-month rule does not affect you.2

Can I transfer to another college before 12 months?

Yes, in four cases. The National Code lets a new college enrol a student inside the 12 months when1:

1. The current college, or the course, is no longer registered.
2. A regulator has placed a sanction on the current college, and the student cannot continue there.
3. The current college releases the student and records the release in PRISMS.
4. A government sponsor of the student supports the change in writing.

How do I ask my college for a release to change provider?

Every college must have a written transfer policy and give it to students.13 The flow chart below shows the steps a student follows to ask the current college for a release.1

1. Get an offerThe new college gives a valid enrolment offer.
2. Ask in writingThe student sends the current college a written transfer request with the offer.
3. The college decidesThe current college assesses the request under its transfer policy.
4. The answerA release costs the student nothing. A refusal comes in writing, with reasons.

When the college grants a release

The college grants the request when the transfer is in the student’s best interests. The National Code lists these cases1:

• The student cannot make enough progress, even after the college’s support.
• The student has compassionate or compelling reasons.
• The college does not deliver the course as the written agreement says.
• The course does not meet the student’s reasonable expectations.
• The college, or an education or migration agent, misled the student about the college or the course, and the course does not suit the student as a result.
• An appeal on another matter ends in a decision to release the student.

Does changing provider affect my student visa?

Yes. A change of college touches the student visa in four ways:

• Telling the Department. The college does it. The Department of Home Affairs says: “You do not need to send us a form or update your ImmiAccount.”3
• The course level. The Department of Home Affairs requires a course at the same level as the course on the visa, or a higher level. A move from a Doctoral degree to a Masters degree is also allowed.6
• The next visa. A student who needs up to 12 more months can apply in Australia only for a course with the college the visa was granted for.5 After a change of college, a student who needs more time to finish the course does not meet this exemption. That student applies from outside Australia and must be outside Australia when the Department grants the visa.4
• Processing. A student who must apply from outside Australia may get priority processing. The Department gives priority only to some higher education students. For them it aims to finalise a complete application “within 5 business days”.4

What changes for student visa holders changing provider in mid-2027?

The Australian Government has announced that a student will need a new student visa before changing college, from mid-2027. It is an announcement, not a rule in force.2

Until then, the 12-month rule is the law in force. The National Code already sets the time back to 6 months from 1 July 2027.12

Do you want help with your own situation?

Each case turns on the months completed, the main course and the reason for the move.

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This article is general information only, not migration advice. In Australia, immigration assistance may only be provided by a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner - Studyaway provides all students with access to a Registered Migration Agent.