New visa condition 8208 only requires student visa holders to seek approval of a change of course, thesis topic or research in limited circumstances, where the visa holder intends to undertake critical technology related study in the postgraduate research sector. Although condition 8208 will be imposed on all student visas, its effect is limited to student visa holders who either:· are already studying in the postgraduate research sector (at the masters degree (research) or doctoral degree level), and intend to change their course of study, thesis or research topic to one that relates to critical technology; or· are not currently studying in the postgraduate research sector, and intend to change their principal course of study to a course at the masters degree (research) or doctoral degree level that relates to critical technology.
