Australia Tightens Rules for International Students, Cancels Graduate Diploma Course

VoS NEWS DESK | EDUCATION | 5 September 2026

The course, formally identified as BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning), has attracted significant attention because of a sharp increase in the number of international students transferring into it after arriving in Australia.

According to the Australian Government, there is evidence that the qualification was being used by some non-genuine students primarily as a pathway to facilitate onshore transfers and prolong their stay in the country rather than for genuine educational purposes. Officials said the action was necessary to protect the reputation of Australia's international education sector and maintain confidence in its student visa programme.

The scale of the programme has also raised concerns. Government figures show that 452 vocational education and training providers were registered to deliver the course to international students, with 41,033 active Confirmations of Enrolment. Of these, 15,772 students were recorded as currently studying the qualification.

The number of transfers into the course increased dramatically in recent years. ABC reported that transfers rose from around 510 students in 2020 to 4,000 in 2025, with 77 per cent of students transferring into the diploma coming from other higher-education programmes. Almost half of those approved to enrol in the diploma in 2025 did not ultimately commence their studies, while completion rates were significantly below those recorded for other vocational education courses.

The Australian Government has stressed that the new restrictions are aimed at protecting the integrity of the system rather than preventing genuine international students from studying in Australia. Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill said Australia would continue to welcome genuine overseas students while taking action against misuse of the visa system.

The new restrictions will take effect on 5 October 2026. From that date, education providers will not be able to issue new Confirmations of Enrolment for overseas students entering the course, while students who have already commenced their studies will be permitted to complete them.

The decision is part of a wider effort by Canberra to address problems within Australia's international education and migration systems. The government has introduced stronger regulatory powers to intervene where particular courses show systemic problems, fail to meet required standards or are considered inconsistent with Australia's national skills needs and public interest.

The move could have implications for students considering Australia as a study destination. International students planning to enrol in vocational and higher-education programmes are likely to face greater scrutiny as Australian authorities seek to distinguish genuine educational pathways from courses being used primarily for migration or visa purposes.

Education providers and agents will also face greater responsibility for ensuring that prospective students receive accurate information about available courses, visa requirements and the consequences of changes to course registration.

For students already enrolled in the affected diploma, the government has confirmed that their existing studies will not simply be terminated. Providers must continue meeting their obligations towards current overseas students, including providing appropriate information and dealing with relevant placement and refund requirements where applicable.

The announcement has therefore become an important development for Australia's large international education sector, which depends heavily on overseas students while also facing growing political pressure over migration levels and the integrity of student visa arrangements.

VoS EDUCATION INSIGHT

Australia's decision sends a clear message that international education will increasingly be subject to stronger quality and visa-integrity controls. While genuine students will still be welcomed, the cancellation of the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) demonstrates that Canberra is prepared to intervene directly when a course is considered vulnerable to misuse. For prospective international students, the development underlines the importance of choosing legitimate programmes and carefully checking the latest Australian education and visa rules before applying.

Sources: Australian Government Department of Education, ASQA, ABC News, Ministers' Media Centre / VoS News Desk.