The Australian Government has announced a major overhaul of the country’s migration system, introducing tougher rules for international students, visitors, working holiday makers and people who remain in Australia after their visas expire.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke unveiled the reforms during an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, 17 September.
The government is aiming to reduce net overseas migration to 245,000 during the current financial year and 225,000 in 2027–28. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows net overseas migration had already fallen to about 292,000 in the year to March 2026.
Major restrictions for international students
Under the proposed changes, most international students will no longer be able to bring their partners or dependent children to Australia while studying.
More than 337,000 student visas were granted during the last financial year, including almost 46,000 visas issued to secondary applicants, such as partners and children.
The government will also tighten rules to prevent “visa hopping”, where temporary migrants repeatedly enrol in courses or move between visa categories primarily to extend their stay in Australia.
Student visa applicants will face closer examination of their financial circumstances and study intentions. Mr Burke said education providers should be selling a genuine education rather than a migration outcome.
Changes to visitor visas
A “No Further Stay” condition will be placed on visitor visas. This is intended to prevent visitors from arriving as tourists and then applying onshore for another temporary visa or a partner visa.
The government says the change will ensure visitor visas are used for genuine short-term visits and will reduce the number of people moving onto bridging visas while another application is considered.
The new condition may have significant consequences for families and couples planning to lodge visa applications after arriving in Australia. People affected should obtain qualified migration advice before making travel or visa arrangements.
New ballot for working holiday visa extensions
Working holiday makers seeking a second or third year in Australia will face a new ballot system.
Applicants will still need to complete the required regional work, but meeting that requirement will no longer guarantee another year in Australia. Instead, it will make them eligible to enter a ballot.
The second-year ballot will be capped at 45,000 places, compared with approximately 57,000 people who qualified last year. The third-year ballot will be limited to 5,000 places, down from about 31,000 qualifying applicants last year.
British passport holders will be exempt from the caps and regional-work requirements under Australia’s free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.
Crackdown on visa overstayers
The Australian Border Force will receive additional resources to identify and remove people who remain in the country without a valid visa.
The government plans to employ 100 additional compliance officers and establish up to 250 detention beds near major airports. A former quarantine facility in Melbourne is also being considered for use as an immigration detention facility.
Authorities are expected to focus on encouraging voluntary departures while taking stronger enforcement action against people who refuse to leave after their lawful stay has ended.
Skilled workers in key sectors to receive priority
While reducing overall migration, the government plans to give priority to skilled visa applicants who can fill workforce shortages in areas including:
- Construction
- Healthcare and aged care
- Education
- Agriculture, aquaculture and fishing
- Defence and law enforcement
- Resources and essential trades
Changes to Ministerial Direction 119 will instruct visa processing officials to give greater priority to applicants with skills that Australia urgently needs.
Mr Burke said migration needed to be carefully managed so housing and infrastructure could catch up, while warning that excessively deep cuts could damage the Australian economy and worsen shortages in construction, nursing and aged care.
What migrants and applicants should know
Some implementation details and commencement dates may still be released or updated by the government. International students, visitors, working holiday makers and families should not cancel travel or make major decisions based solely on media reports.
Applicants should check the latest information through the Department of Home Affairs or consult a registered migration agent before lodging or changing a visa application.
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