The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students Amendment (Overseas Student Transfers) Instrument 2026 commenced on 2 October 2026, extending the overseas student transfer restriction from six months to 12 months.
Most international students outside the school sector must complete at least 12 months of their principal course before transferring to another education provider without a release. This temporary extension applies until 30 June 2027, after which the restriction returns to six months from 1 July 2027. For school students, the existing six-month restriction remains unchanged.
A student can still transfer earlier in any of these cases:
- the releasing provider or the student’s course is no longer registered;
- a sanction prevents the student from continuing their course;
- the releasing provider agrees to release the student;
- a government sponsor supports the change in writing.
Any release granted by an education provider must be provided at no cost to the student.
Click here: National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018
