The Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for International Education, has made a change to Standard 7 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code) regarding the transfer restriction period.
From 2 October 2026, CRICOS providers are prohibited from knowingly enrolling a student seeking to transfer from a course with another registered provider prior to the overseas student completing 12 months of their principal course with that provider. This represents an extension of the transfer restriction period, which previously lasted until the student completed 6 months of their principal course.
This change is temporary, meaning that from 2 October 2026 to 30 June 2027 (inclusive), the transfer restriction period for non-school sector students is 12 months. From 1 July 2027, the transfer restriction period for non-school sector students will revert to 6 months.
Why is it temporary?
The Australian Government is committed to strengthening the integrity of Australia’s international education sector. This change has been made to reflect migration reforms that seek to strengthen the integrity of the student visa program and supports the Government’s broader commitment to integrity in the international education sector.
The extension of the transfer restriction period complements this measure, and the Government’s broader commitment to integrity, by acting as a transitional setting between 2 October 2026 and its scheduled date of effect on 1 July 2027.
More information
Providers and students can access further information, including fact sheets, on the Department of Education website. More information can also be found on our website.