Cancellation under ESOS Act of BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)
Australia has taken unprecedented action against new international student enrolments in the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning (BSB80120) after the Government identified significant integrity concerns connected with the course.
Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill MP made the Education Services for Overseas Students (Specified Classes of Courses for Automatic Suspension and Cancellation) Instrument 2026 under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).
The Government registered the instrument on 4 September 2026, and it commenced on 5 September 2026. However, the key restrictions for students and CRICOS providers take effect from 5 October 2026.
From that date, providers cannot issue new Confirmations of Enrolment, enrol new overseas students, or allow students who have not already started the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning to commence the course.
Importantly, students who start the course before 5 October can continue studying with their current provider. Domestic students can also continue studying the qualification.
What Changes for the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning From 5 October 2026?
The new rules specifically target overseas student enrolments in BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning).
From 5 October 2026, CRICOS providers cannot:
- issue new CoEs for the GDML;
- enrol new overseas students;
- commence overseas students who have not already started the course; or
- add, renew or newly register the GDML on their CRICOS registration while the instrument remains in force.
However, providers can continue teaching overseas students who started the course before 5 October.
Already started the course before 5 October?
You can generally continue with your current provider.
Have a CoE but have not started?
The instrument will cancel your GDML CoE on 5 October, and you cannot commence the course after that date.
Planning to enrol after 5 October?
CRICOS providers cannot enrol you in the course as an overseas student.
Domestic student?
The new international student restrictions do not prevent providers from delivering the qualification to domestic students.
Why Did Australia Target the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning?
The Government says it identified significant and systemic integrity concerns surrounding the course.
Those concerns include unusual enrolment patterns, large numbers of student transfers, students who never commenced their studies, poor completion outcomes and potential risks to the integrity of Australia’s Student visa system.
The Government also says some students used the course to facilitate onshore transfers rather than pursue genuine academic progression.
The scale of the course attracted particular attention. Government figures show that 452 VET providers held registrations to deliver the GDML to international students. The course also had 41,033 active CoEs, including 15,772 students recorded as currently studying.
This action marks the first time the Australian Government has used its new course cancellation powers. The Government introduced those powers through international education integrity reforms in 2025.
What Happens if You Already Study the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning?
If you enrolled in and commenced the GDML before 5 October 2026, you can continue studying with your existing provider.
Your provider can continue delivering the course until you either complete it or withdraw.
Meanwhile, the instrument automatically suspends that provider’s CRICOS registration for the GDML. Once the last continuing overseas student completes or withdraws, the instrument automatically cancels the GDML from the provider’s CRICOS registration across all locations.
Therefore, current students do not need to assume that the Government requires them to stop studying immediately.
However, you should seek advice before withdrawing or changing your study arrangements if the change could affect your Student visa.
What Happens if You Have a GDML CoE but Have Not Started?
Students in this situation face the most immediate impact.
If you hold a Graduate Diploma of Management Learning CoE but do not commence the course before 5 October 2026, the instrument will automatically cancel that CoE on 5 October.
You also cannot commence the GDML after that date.
The Department of Education advises affected students to contact their provider promptly. Depending on the circumstances, the provider may offer another course or refund unused tuition fees.
However, accepting another course can create Student visa consequences, so students should check their immigration position before making the change.
Could These Changes Affect Your Student Visa?
Yes, depending on your circumstances.
The new instrument itself does not automatically cancel every affected Student visa. Instead, it changes the availability of the GDML and cancels certain CoEs.
However, Home Affairs requires Student visa holders to maintain appropriate course enrolment and comply with their visa conditions. Therefore, losing a CoE or changing courses can affect your immigration position.
For example, Home Affairs generally requires a Student visa holder who changes courses after provider default to enrol in a course at the same or higher Australian Qualifications Framework level, unless an exception applies. Otherwise, the student may need to apply for a new Student visa Subclass 500.
This makes legal and migration advice particularly important before you accept a replacement course simply because your provider offers one.
What if the Graduate Diploma of Management Forms Part of a Course Package?
The change can also affect students who hold packaged CoEs.
For example, you may currently study another course and plan to undertake the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning later.
If you have not commenced the GDML before 5 October, you cannot commence that component afterwards, and the instrument will cancel your GDML CoE.
However, you may still continue other courses within your package depending on your individual arrangements.
Because packaged courses can influence Student visa arrangements, you should check how removing or replacing the principal course affects your visa before making changes. If the new application does not meet the relevant requirements, including genuine study, enrolment, and other visa criteria, there may also be a risk of Student visa refusal.
What Must Education Providers Do for Affected Students?
The Government expects CRICOS providers to actively assist affected students.
Providers should notify students about the change, explain their options, and meet their ESOS obligations.
If the change causes provider default, the provider generally has 14 days to either offer the student a suitable alternative course that the student accepts or refund the student’s unspent tuition fees.
If the provider fails to meet those obligations, the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) may help eligible students find another course or recover relevant tuition fees.
What Should Affected International Students Do Now?
If the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning forms part of your study plans, act before making any major enrolment decision.
First, confirm whether you have already commenced the GDML and check your current CoE. Then contact your education provider to confirm how it plans to manage your enrolment.
You should also check your Student visa expiry date and visa conditions through VEVO, review any replacement course carefully, and consider whether changing course level could require a new Student visa.
Most importantly, do not assume that moving into another course automatically protects your visa status.
How Emigrate Lawyers Can Help With GDML and Student Visa Changes?
The Graduate Diploma of Management Learning changes may also create problems for students who later face a Student visa refusal, particularly where a cancelled CoE, course change, or study history becomes relevant to the Department’s decision.
If you have received a Student visa refusal after changes to your GDML enrolment or study arrangements, Emigrate Lawyers can review the refusal decision and explain the options available to you.
Our immigration lawyers assist specifically with Student visa refusal matters, including reviewing the Department’s reasons, assessing your review rights, and preparing matters for the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) where appropriate.
Speak to an immigration lawyer at Emigrate Lawyers if your Student visa has been refused and you need advice about your next steps.
FAQs
Q1. Is there a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law in Australia?
A- Yes. Some Australian universities offer postgraduate qualifications in Australian migration law and practice. However, completing a Graduate Diploma does not automatically make someone an Australian lawyer.
Q2. Can Australian permanent residency be cancelled?
A- Yes. Australia can cancel a permanent visa in certain circumstances, including character, fraud or other immigration-law grounds. The reasons and review options depend on the individual case.
Q3. What is the latest news on Australia Student visas?
A- A major September 2026 update affects the BSB80120 Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning). From 5 October 2026, providers cannot enrol or commence new overseas students in this course, although students who already started can generally continue.
Q4. Is a Graduate Diploma equal to a degree?
A- Not exactly. Under the Australian Qualifications Framework, a Graduate Diploma is Level 8, above a Bachelor Degree at Level 7 but below a Master Degree at Level 9.
Final Thoughts
Australia’s decision represents a major shift in how the Government responds to integrity concerns within the international education sector.
From 5 October 2026, providers can no longer issue new CoEs, enrol new overseas students, or commence students who have not already started the Graduate Diploma of Management Learning.
Current students can continue, but students with future GDML enrolments may need to choose another course and consider how that change affects their Student visa arrangements.
If this change affects your CoE or study plans, Emigrate Lawyers can provide immigration legal advice before you change your course or make another visa decision.
Need Legal help or Consultation?
The sooner you seek advice, the more options you have. We are here to help!
Reach out to us today through any of the following:
Shivani Thpaliya
Immigration and Family Lawyer
Published on: 7th September
Reviewed by Madhab Kharel, Principal Lawyer
Date reviewed: 7 September 2026
