Studying in Australia from Kenya? A course change may soon need its own visa

News · 2026-10-06 · 5 min read

Two Kenyan students review papers beside a laptop at home as they prepare to study in Australia.

If you are a Kenyan student planning to study in Australia, the short answer is this: pick your course carefully the first time, because switching later is about to become harder and slower. The Australian Government announced on 2 October 2026 that students who want to move into a different course will need to apply for a separate visa, and that migration advisers who push hopeless applications will face action.

Nothing here is a reason to give up on an Australian education. It is a reason to prepare properly, whether you are finishing KCSE results in Nairobi, comparing diplomas in Mombasa, or already enrolled and wondering about a change of direction.

The three student rules, side by side

Rule	What it means for you
Separate visa to change course	A student who wants to transfer to another course must apply for a different visa. This sits on top of the earlier rule that stops transfers to a lower-level course, such as a bachelor's or master's degree to a vocational program.
Wait period until the new system starts	Until the separate-visa arrangement begins, a student cannot transfer within 12 months of starting a course.
End of extensions for transfers	From 1 July 2027, a student's visa will not be extended because the student is moving into a different course.

The government is making these changes through rules, not through new legislation, so they can move quickly.

The thinking behind the change

The stated aim is to stop a temporary stay turning into years of hopping between visas. It is part of a wider package to bring net overseas migration down from almost 300,000 a year to 225,000 by 2028. Bridging visas are part of the same picture: more than 400,000 people now hold one while they wait for a decision on their next application, and many of them are international students applying for a different visa. The government wants that number to fall.

For a student, the practical reading is simple. A course is no longer a flexible starting point that you can swap when your plans change. Treat it as a commitment.

What the adviser crackdown means

The second announcement targets advice. The government proposes to stop migration agents from assisting with an application they know, or reasonably ought to know, has no reasonable factual or legal basis. The Department of Home Affairs will also consult on holding migration lawyers to account for similar poor practice.

The government said the harm comes from a small number of bad actors who approach people at vulnerable moments with misleading claims and unrealistic assurances. Its examples included applications lodged only so they would be refused and then appealed, and online adverts coaching people to make false protection claims. Most advisers do honest work. The aim is to deal with the minority.

A simple routine before you pay anyone

Shortlist courses you are genuinely willing to finish, not courses chosen only because they look easy to enter.
Read the conditions on the official Student visa page before you commit money to a provider.
Look up any adviser on the official Register of Migration Agents so you know they hold a MARA registration. For New Zealand, use a licensed immigration adviser or a lawfully exempt person.
Ask for the advice and the costs in writing, and keep copies of everything you sign.
If you doubt your qualification route, check how your certificates would be viewed through RPLDirect before enrolling, rather than after.

Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a course

The first mistake is treating the first course as a placeholder, planning to switch once you arrive. Under the new direction that plan loses its safety net. The second is assuming a cheaper, lower-level course is an easy route in, since the earlier rule already blocks stepping down. The third is believing anyone who promises a visa outcome. No honest professional can promise one, and the government's own examples show where such promises end up. Finally, do not hand over original documents or pay in full before you have seen written advice. If you want to read more on how families are affected, see our look at student visa rules and family plans.

Questions readers in Kenya ask

Can I still change course once I arrive in Australia?

The announced approach is that a change will need a separate visa application. Until that arrangement starts, a transfer within 12 months of beginning a course is not possible. Plan on that basis and check the official page for the latest position.

Is a move to a lower-level course allowed?

No. An earlier announced rule already stops transfers to a lower-level course, for example from a master's degree to a vocational program.

Does this apply to people who have not applied yet?

The measures are aimed at students who move from course to course to extend their stay, so they matter to anyone planning study. Read the current conditions before you apply.

How do I know an adviser is reputable?

Check the Register of Migration Agents for a MARA registration, ask for written advice and costs, and be cautious about anyone who promises a result.

Where can I see Australian roles that match my skills?

Browse the current jobs board and read the posts on this site, including why student visa refusals are rising.

What to remember

Announced on 2 October 2026: a separate visa to transfer courses, no transfer within 12 months of starting until it begins, and no extension for transfers from 1 July 2027.
The goal is to lower net overseas migration from almost 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028.
Choose one course you are ready to complete.
Verify any adviser on the official register and get advice in writing.

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