Australia Implements Strict Visa Rules to Control Migration

On September 17, 2026, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a major overhaul of immigration rules aimed at controlling net overseas migration, targeting international students and working holidaymakers. The government plans to reduce net migration to 225,000 annually by 2028.

Key changes include prohibiting international students from bringing family members, with exemptions for current students, those from Pacific and South-East Asian nations, and PhD candidates. The government will also address "visa hopping," requiring students to progress to a higher level of study to extend their stay.

For working holiday visas, the second-year ballot will be capped at 45,000 spots, down from 57,000, and the third-year ballot will be limited to 5,000 places, a significant reduction from 31,000. Burke rejected proposals from the One Nation party to cut temporary migrant visas by 750,000, warning it could harm parts of the Australian economy.

Violet Roumeliotis of Settlement Services International cautioned that these changes could hinder Australia's ability to attract future talent.