Australia began enforcing tightened migration controls in September 2026 aimed at international students, backpackers on working holiday visas, and those engaged in frequent course-switching, known as “visa hopping.” The government intends to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028 as part of broader immigration management.
Restrictions on International Student Visas
Under the new rules, international students, except for PhD candidates and other exemptions, will no longer automatically be allowed to bring family members. Students already in Australia and applicants from Pacific and South East Asian countries are exempt from these family restrictions. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke explained that PhD students are treated differently
due to distinct life circumstances compared to undergraduate students.
The government will also limit student visa holders’ ability to extend their stays by requiring progression to higher qualifications. For example, a student who completes a bachelor’s degree may extend their visa to pursue a master’s degree, but switching to unrelated or lower-level courses will be curtailed to prevent visa hopping.
Working Holiday Visa Changes
Working holiday visa holders aged 18 to 30 will face new caps and a lottery system to limit second- and third-year visa extensions. Second-year extensions will be capped at 45,000 places, down from 57,000 in 2025, while third-year extensions will
be restricted to 5,000 places, compared to 31,000 previously. Eligibility requires regional work, but the government has not detailed changes to these requirements.
Applications for working holiday visas from 24 countries have been paused, excluding the United Kingdom. British travelers remain exempt from these caps due to the free trade agreement between Australia and the UK.
Population and Migration Statistics Context
Australia’s population grew by 1.4% to 27.9 million in the year to March 2026, supported by a net overseas migration figure of 292,100. These statistics underline ongoing migration as a significant driver of population growth despite emerging efforts to manage it more tightly.
Since
July 2026, the government has prioritized onshore family visa applications and permanent visa applications from skilled migrants already in Australia over offshore applicants, illustrating a shift toward managing the composition of incoming immigrants.
Political Responses and Official Statements
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described immigration as a national strength that requires stringent control. He stated, “We will no longer be adding to the stock of students automatically being able to bring family members over.” Burke emphasized that the government aims to address misuse of visa conditions, citing a clampdown on “visa hopping” as a key reform.
The One Nation Party has proposed more drastic migration
reductions, including cutting temporary migrant visas by 750,000 over three years and capping net overseas migration at 130,000. Burke criticized these proposals, warning they risk “smashing parts of the Australian economy.”
Settlement Services International, which supports migrants, criticized the reforms as being motivated by short-term political concerns rather than long-term national interest. A representative, Violet Roumeliotis, said, “The proposed changes to family visas for international students is a good example of this,” warning that such moves could hinder Australia’s ability to attract future talent.
