Australia Blocks International Students from Graduate Diploma of Management Course, Invokes New Legal Powers

CANBERRA, September 8, 2026 — The Australian government has taken the unprecedented step of blocking new international student enrolments in a specific course — the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) — effective October 5, 2026, marking the first time Canberra has used its new course-cancellation powers.

The decision, announced on September 4 by Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill, targets the course code BSB80120, commonly known as the GDML, which will no longer accept new overseas students.

Australia blocks new international student enrolments in Graduate Diploma of Management from October 5, 2026

Why Was the Course Blocked?

The government identified "significant and systemic integrity concerns" with the GDML. Key issues include:

• Non-Genuine Students: Evidence suggests the course was being used by some non-genuine students to facilitate onshore transfers while already in Australia.

• High Visa Refusal Rates: The course was linked to unusually high rates of visa refusals.

• Low Completion Rates: Course completion outcomes were significantly below those of other vocational education and training (VET) courses.

• Exploitation of Transfer Rules: Students could transfer to a course at the same or higher AQF level without needing to apply for a new student visa, avoiding rigorous assessments.

Scale of the Impact

The block affects 452 VET providers currently registered to offer the course to international students. There are 41,033 active Confirmations of Enrolment (CoEs) in the GDML, including 15,772 students currently studying the course.

Transfers into the course have surged dramatically, jumping from 510 in 2020 to 4,000 in 2025. However, nearly half of those approved in 2025 did not enrol, and completion rates were notably low.

What Happens to Current Students?

Students who have already commenced the course will not be affected by the decision. They can continue and complete their studies with their current provider.

However, education providers will no longer be able to enrol new international students in the course from October 5. The course registration will be suspended for providers with existing students and automatically cancelled for those with no enrolled overseas students.

Official Statement

"The government will continue to act decisively to ensure Australia remains a trusted global education destination, to protect international students and to prevent misuse of the student visa system."— Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for International Education

Hill emphasised that "Australia continues to welcome genuine international students seeking a premium education and must maintain a ruthless focus on quality, integrity and a great student experience".

Read Also

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• Australia Faces Labour Crisis with Over 330,000 Unfilled Jobs Amid Skilled Migration Overhaul

What This Means for International Students

• Existing GDML students: Continue as normal, complete your course.

• New applicants: Cannot enrol in the GDML from October 5, 2026.

• Providers and agents: Cannot recruit or refer international students to this course.

• Broader reforms: The move is part of a package of integrity reforms passed in November 2025, giving the Minister power to suspend or cancel courses. Further restrictions on international students and their families are expected.

For the latest immigration updates, visa policy changes, and 2026 developments worldwide, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/category/australia

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