The "Career Switch" Trap: Why Australia is Rejecting Engineers Who Study Business (2026 GS Rules)
The "Genuine Student" test has changed everything. If your course doesn't match your history, your visa is dead on arrival. Data sourced from: Australian Department of Home Affairs (Ministerial Direction 106 - Genuine Student requirement), AQF Qualifications Pathway Policy 2026, and Common Support Support Tool (CSST) Risk Ratings. Introduction In the past, you could finish an Engineering degree in India and then fly to Australia for a generic "MBA" or "Hospitality" course just to get a visa. In 2026, that door is shut. The new Genuine Student (GS) requirement introduced in The AQF Qualifications Pathway Policy demands "Academic Progression." If your new course doesn't look like a logical "Next Step" from your previous study, immigration officers will reject you as a "non-genuine" applicant. 1. The "Progression" Rule The Department of Home Affairs now uses a strict logic: The Question: "Does th...