Australia has announced tougher immigration rules for international students, backpackers and other temporary visa holders as the government moves to bring down net overseas migration.
Under the new measures, most international students will no longer be permitted to bring their partners or children to Australia while completing their studies.
Some exemptions will apply to students from Pacific Island and Southeast Asian countries, along with certain categories of study. The government said families already living in Australia will not be separated under the new rules.
The government is also introducing stricter conditions for international students seeking to extend their stay in the country.
Students who complete one qualification will generally be able to obtain another student visa only if they progress to a higher-level qualification. Those seeking to change their course will also need to apply for a new visa.
Working holiday visas are also being tightened.
Under the revised system, a ballot will be introduced for backpackers seeking to stay in Australia for a second or third year under parts of the Working Holiday Maker program.
The second-year program will be limited to 45,000 places, while only 5,000 places will be available for a third year. Applicants will still need to complete the required regional work before they can enter the ballot.
The government is also changing visitor visa rules to stop people from using short-term visas to remain in Australia while applying for another type of visa.
At the same time, authorities will increase enforcement against people who remain in the country after their visas expire. The government plans to hire 100 additional compliance officers and is considering using a former Melbourne quarantine facility for immigration detention.
The measures form part of the government’s plan to bring annual net overseas migration down to around 225,000 by 2028, from roughly 300,000 currently.
Migration surged after Australia reopened its international borders following the COVID-19 pandemic, although the numbers have since begun to decline.
The changes come as immigration remains a major political issue in Australia, with housing availability and the rising cost of living among the concerns surrounding migration.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke rejected suggestions that the measures were introduced because of growing support for One Nation, saying the government had been working on the reforms for some time.
The changes could also have implications for Australia’s international education sector, which contributed A$53.6 billion to the economy in the year to June 2025 and ranked as the country’s fourth-largest export.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Luke Sheehy has warned that continued changes to immigration and student visa policies could undermine confidence in Australia’s international education sector.
