SYDNEY – Australia has announced a fresh crackdown on temporary migration, with most international students set to lose the ability to bring their partners and children with them under new visa measures.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government would also introduce tighter rules for working holidaymakers and strengthen enforcement against people who remain in the country after their visas expire.
The reforms are aimed at bringing net overseas migration down to 225,000 by 2028, from around 300,000 currently. The government has said housing pressures and the need to better manage temporary migration are key reasons behind the changes.
Under the new student visa arrangements, most international students will not be permitted to attach family members to their visas. Exceptions will apply to nationals of Pacific and Southeast Asian countries and students enrolled in certain programmes, including PhD courses.
Students whose families are already in Australia will not be affected by the new restrictions, according to Burke.
The government will also seek to curb “visa hopping” by requiring students who want to move to a higher qualification level to obtain a new visa. Students completing one qualification will generally only be able to progress to a higher-level course rather than repeatedly extending their stay through courses at the same or a lower level.
Working holiday visa arrangements are also being changed. A ballot will be introduced for people seeking second- and third-year stays under the Working Holiday Maker programme. The government plans to limit second-year places to 45,000 and reduce third-year places to 5,000 through a ballot, compared with 31,000 people who qualified for the third year this year.
The government will also expand “No Further Stay” conditions to visitor visas, restricting holders from remaining in Australia while seeking to switch to another visa category.
Burke said enforcement against visa overstayers would be strengthened, including the recruitment of 100 additional compliance officers. The government is also considering the use of a former quarantine facility in Melbourne to accommodate immigration detainees.
The minister rejected suggestions that the reforms were being introduced in response to the growing support for the One Nation party, which has called for a much larger reduction in temporary migration.
International education remains a major contributor to Australia’s economy. The sector generated about A$53.6 billion in the year to June 2025, making it one of the country’s largest export industries. University representatives have warned that restricting family members could make Australia a less attractive destination for international students.
Australia’s net overseas migration has already fallen from its post-pandemic peak. Official figures cited by the government show net migration at 292,100 in the year to March 2026, down from earlier highs.
