Australia Implements Stricter Visa Rules for Migrants

The Australian government has introduced changes to several temporary visa categories as part of its strategy to reduce net overseas migration (NOM) to 245,000 in the current financial year and further down to 225,000 by 2027–28. International students applying for a new visa from within Australia will generally need to progress to a higher-level qualification.

For skilled migration, priority sectors for visa processing will include resources, agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing, alongside existing areas like healthcare and construction. The points test for independent skilled migration will be revised to align better with current labor market needs, focusing particularly on construction skills.

Working Holiday Maker applicants will face tighter conditions, with a new ballot system limiting access to second- and third-year visas, capped at 45,000 and 5,000 respectively. Additionally, a "No Further Stay" condition will be attached to all approvals, restricting travelers from applying for different visas without a waiver.