On September 17, 2026, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced new immigration policies aimed at reducing net overseas migration (NOM) to 245,000 in the 2026-27 financial year and 225,000 in 2027-28. This follows an easing in NOM to 292,000 for the year ending March 2026, down from 299,000 in December 2025 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Enforcement Measures Target Visa Overstayers
The Australian Government will repurpose a former quarantine facility in Melbourne into a detention centre to hold foreign citizens remaining without valid visas. It also plans to hire 100 additional compliance officers to strengthen enforcement against visa overstayers. These measures are
designed to address what Burke described as a problematic “double standard” allowing onshore visa applicants to stay on bridging visas while pursuing further stays.
Restrictions on International Students and Family Visas
New rules will restrict international students from bringing family members to Australia, with exceptions only for current students in Australia, PhD candidates, and applicants from Pacific and Southeast Asian countries. More than 337,000 international student visas were issued last year, including approximately 45,000 family or dependent visas. The government aims to curb so-called visa hopping, where students extend their stay by enrolling in additional courses, often lower qualifications or from dubious providers.
Changes to Working Holiday Visa Program
Working holiday visa regulations
will introduce a ballot system for second- and third-year extensions, capping the second year at 45,000 places (down from 57,000 in the previous year) and the third year at 5,000 (down from 31,000). British working holidaymakers remain exempt from these caps and regional work requirements due to the Australia-United Kingdom free trade agreement. The number of backpacker visa holders in Australia has risen to almost 80,000, more than double the pre-pandemic peak of 35,000, which the government considers a challenge.
Visa Processing and Visitor Visa Changes
The processing time target for working holiday visas has been stabilized at three months, addressing previous offshore delays. All visitor
visas will include a new “no further stay” condition aimed at ensuring they are used exclusively by genuine short-term visitors and prevent misuse as pathways for extended stays.
Official Statements and Policy Rationale
Tony Burke emphasized the government’s dual approach of maintaining immigration controls while treating individuals with fairness and decency. He stated, “This is not the sort of operation that some people have seen on TV happening in other countries.” Burke also criticized the existing onshore visa system as a “double standard” that allowed extended stays on bridging visas, calling the outcome “deeply problematic.” The reforms seek to better align migration with Australia’s economic
needs, prioritizing applicants with in-demand skills in healthcare, construction, education, and law enforcement.
Political and Industry Context
The crackdown responds to political pressure from the popularity of One Nation’s anti-immigration stance and public concerns about population growth, housing affordability, and public service capacity. The Business Chamber of Australia welcomed the changes but expressed concern about potential delays in accessing skilled workers. Meanwhile, human rights groups criticized the lack of clarity regarding asylum seeker policies. Agriculture sector stakeholders have raised worries about workforce shortages linked to tighter backpacker visa rules.
Population and Migration Statistics
Australia’s population grew by 1.4% to reach 27.9 million in the 12 months to March
2026. The government seeks to reduce net overseas migration from a recent peak of 292,000 to sustainable levels aligned with infrastructure and service capacities. The skilled occupations list expanded to include professions such as paramedics, electricians, and teachers, while sectors like defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing receive increased consideration.
