CANBERRA, 18 September 2026 — Australia’s migration system is set for significant changes after Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke unveiled a new package of reforms at the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday.
The government says the changes are designed to give it greater control over “who arrives, who stays and who leaves”, while bringing Net Overseas Migration (NOM) down to the levels forecast in the federal budget. Official government material says NOM has already fallen to about 292,000, 47 per cent below the post-COVID peak, with the government now aiming for 245,000 in 2026–27 and 225,000 in 2027–28.
International students face major family visa restrictions
One of the biggest changes affects international students and their families.
Burke announced that international students will generally no longer be able to attach family members to student visas, with the restriction also applying to graduate visas. However, the government has confirmed exceptions, including special arrangements for students from Pacific and ASEAN countries and students undertaking certain courses, such as PhDs.
Importantly, the government says it will not separate families already in Australia where family members are already attached to an existing visa.
The university sector has raised concerns about the potential impact on Australia’s international education industry and its competitiveness against other study destinations.
Visitor visas to carry ‘No Further Stay’ condition
Another major change targets people entering Australia on visitor visas and then applying for another visa while onshore.
Burke announced that visitor visas will carry a “No Further Stay” provision for other visa applications, preventing the visitor-to-onshore-visa pathway that can currently result in a person moving onto a bridging visa while their new application is processed. Protection visa applications are an exception.
The change will apply to future visitor visas and will not retrospectively affect people already in Australia.
Burke argued the change could also make it easier to grant genuine visitor visas to relatives coming to Australia for weddings, family events or to visit elderly family members, because authorities would have greater confidence that the visitor would leave rather than switch visas after arrival.
Government targets ‘visa hopping’ among students
The reforms also take aim at what the government describes as visa hopping.
Students transferring courses will be required to apply for a new visa, allowing authorities to reassess whether the change is legitimate.
Students progressing to a higher qualification will still be permitted to do so — for example, moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.
However, Burke said repeatedly moving between courses and institutions, particularly moving down the qualification scale in order to prolong a stay in Australia, would be targeted under the new system.
Normal extensions for legitimate circumstances, such as illness or the failure of an education provider, are intended to remain available.
Working Holiday Maker visas face ballot system
The government is also changing the rules for backpackers seeking second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas.
Applicants will still need to complete the existing regional work requirements, but qualifying will no longer automatically guarantee another year.
Instead, applicants will enter a ballot.
The government plans to limit the second-year ballot to 45,000 places, compared with about 57,000 people who qualified last year. Third-year places will be substantially reduced to 5,000, compared with about 31,000 people in that group last year.
Skilled migration to focus on priority sectors
At the same time as tightening parts of temporary migration, the government wants skilled migration to be more closely targeted towards areas where Australia needs workers.
The government will update Ministerial Direction 119 to prioritise visa processing across sectors including healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing.
Burke also announced changes to the skilled migration points test. Under the proposed approach, people qualified in housing-related trades would receive points recognition comparable to university qualifications, reflecting Australia’s demand for construction workers.
Crackdown on visa overstayers and migration agents
Compliance will form another major part of the overhaul.
The government says it will strengthen measures to ensure people who no longer hold valid visas leave Australia and will change rules governing migration agents so agents who encourage clients to lodge applications without merit can face sanctions or deregistration.
ABC reported that the government will add 100 compliance officers and 250 detention beds as part of its increased enforcement capacity.
What is confirmed — and what still needs detail?
Thursday’s announcement establishes the government’s policy direction, but visa holders should be cautious about assuming every change takes effect immediately.
Several measures will require changes to visa conditions, ministerial directions or administrative arrangements. Exact commencement dates, implementation details and exemptions will therefore be important.
Some additional migration reforms sought by the government would also require legislation and were not completed as part of Thursday’s announcement. Burke specifically acknowledged that the package was not as comprehensive as the government had wanted because some additional powers require parliamentary approval.
What does it mean for migrants?
For international students, temporary migrants and people considering Australia, the reforms signal a move towards a system where temporary visas are expected to be used more closely for their original purpose.
The most immediate areas to watch are student dependant visas, course changes, visitor-to-onshore visa applications, Working Holiday Maker extensions and compliance with visa expiry dates.
People affected should wait for the Department of Home Affairs to publish the detailed implementation arrangements before making visa decisions.
SinghStation will continue to follow the changes and provide updates as commencement dates, exemptions and detailed visa rules are confirmed.
This article provides general news information and should not be considered migration or legal advice.