Australia announced a new migration crackdown on 17 September 2026 targeting international students, visa hoppers, and backpackers under revised policies aimed at curbing immigration. The Australian government plans stricter controls on visa misuse and aims to lower net overseas migration.
Foreign students will no longer automatically be allowed to bring family members unless exempted, with PhD students retaining the right to bring their families due to different life circumstances. Students seeking to extend their visas must enrol in higher qualification courses, as switching to lower credentials or using less credible providers will be restricted.
Changes to working holiday visa regulations
affect holders aged 18 to 30 years, introducing a ballot system with capped allocations for second and third-year extensions. The cap for second-year extensions is set at 45,000, down from 57,000 last year, while the third-year extension ballot cap fell sharply to 5,000 from 31,000 in 2025. British working holiday visa holders are excluded from these restrictions under Australia’s free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the nation’s population reached 27.9 million by March 2026, reflecting 1.4% growth over the 12 months, which included a net overseas migration of 292,100. The government aims
to reduce net migration to 225,000 people annually by 2028 as part of its population management strategy.
Political factors influenced the policy changes, with the One Nation party proposing cuts of 750,000 temporary migrant visas over three years and a cap of 130,000 for net overseas migration. One Nation, which won its first lower house seat in May 2026, holds an anti-immigration stance. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke criticised their proposals, warning they could damage parts of the Australian economy.
Since July 2026, the government has prioritised family visa applications lodged by applicants already in Australia and skilled migrants applying
for permanent visas from within the country. Applications for working holiday visas from 24 countries, excluding the UK, have been temporarily paused under these new enforcement measures.
Minister Tony Burke said immigration remains a strength of Australia but requires tight management. He stated, “We will no longer be adding to the stock of students automatically being able to bring family members over.” Burke also mentioned exemptions for students already in Australia and for applicants from Pacific and South East Asian countries.
The visa policy changes impact international students who will face restrictions in bringing family members unless they qualify for
exemptions. Students must pursue progressively higher education levels to extend visas, and restrictions on backpackers’ working holiday visa extensions limit the number able to stay beyond one year via a ballot system. British working holidaymakers remain exempt from new restrictions.
Working holiday visas supply vital labour for Australia’s agricultural sector, and these reforms tighten access to second and third-year extensions. The ballot system and capped allocations reflect the government’s aim to better control migration levels amid growing political debate around population growth, housing affordability, and public service strain.
