DENPASAR — Indonesian students will remain eligible to bring family members to Australia despite new restrictions on dependants under a broader tightening of the country’s student visa system.
Under the changes, most international students will generally no longer be allowed to include family members on their visas. However, students from ASEAN and Pacific countries will continue to receive exemptions, along with those enrolled in certain programs, including doctoral or PhD studies.
The exemption means Indonesian students will still be able to bring eligible family members while studying in Australia.
Phil Honeywood, chief executive officer of the International Education Association of Australia, said the exemption reflected Australia’s broader regional policy toward neighbouring countries.
“[It is] part of the government’s strategic regional policy to provide supportive policy settings for our neighbouring countries in the region,” Honeywood was quoted as saying by The Straits Times.
The changes are part of a wider overhaul of Australia’s migration system.
Authorities are also tightening rules aimed at preventing so-called “visa hopping,” where international students repeatedly switch courses primarily to extend their stay in Australia.
Students seeking to remain in the country will generally be expected to demonstrate genuine academic progression, such as moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s program.
The Australian government has said the reforms are intended to bring net overseas migration down to 225,000 people by the 2027–28 financial year.
In the first half of 2026, Australia issued 337,427 student visas, including 45,991 visas for dependants and family members.
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