Major Australian Migration Changes Announced in 2026
What international students, skilled workers, visitors and temporary visa holders need to know
On 17 September 2026, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a major package of migration reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of Australia’s migration system, improving control over temporary migration and better aligning skilled migration with Australia’s workforce needs.
The reforms focus on who arrives, who stays and who leaves Australia.
Important: Not every measure announced is immediately in force. Some changes require further implementation, regulatory changes or legislation. Applicants should check the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements before making visa decisions.
1. Student Visa Changes
Restrictions on family members
Most new international students will no longer be able to automatically bring family members as secondary applicants on their student visas.
There will be specific exceptions, including certain students from Pacific and ASEAN countries and students undertaking certain courses, such as PhD programs.
Students whose family members are already in Australia will not be required to separate under these changes.
Graduate visa family members
The announced restrictions also extend to the attachment of family members to graduate visas, subject to the relevant exceptions and implementation arrangements.
2. Stronger Controls on Student “Visa Hopping”
The Government is introducing tighter controls on students who move from one course to another primarily to extend their stay in Australia.
The proposed approach distinguishes legitimate education progression from repeated course changes designed primarily to obtain a further migration outcome.
Under the announced progression approach:
Bachelor → Master: generally consistent with progression
Lower qualification → higher qualification: progression may be permitted
Repeated movement up and down qualification levels: subject to tighter controls
The Government has specifically stated that a student may progress up the qualification scale, while repeated movement between different levels to prolong a stay will be restricted.
Importantly, genuine course transfers and certain circumstances such as a legitimate course extension are treated differently from “visa hopping.”
3. Skilled Migration Processing Priorities
The Government is updating Ministerial Direction 119 to give priority to occupations and sectors considered important to Australia's workforce needs.
Priority sectors include:
- 🏗️ Construction
- 🏥 Healthcare
- 👩🏫 Education and teaching
- 🌾 Agriculture
- 🎣 Aquaculture and fishing
- ⛏️ Resources
- 👮 Law enforcement
- 🛡️ Defence
The changes are intended to ensure skilled migration processing better reflects Australia's economic and workforce priorities.
4. Skilled Migration Points Test to Be Redesigned
The Government has announced a redesigned points test for the skilled migration program.
A significant proposed change is the introduction of an uplift for particular skills.
Under the announced approach, people with skills in housing construction trades will receive points equivalent to a university qualification level for points-test purposes.
The aim is to give greater recognition to skills Australia needs, particularly in the construction sector.
Important
The redesigned points test will apply when implemented. Applicants should not assume that the new points settings apply to applications lodged today.
5. Working Holiday Maker Changes
The Working Holiday Maker Program will move to a ballot system for second- and third-year participation where the relevant regional work requirement applies.
Second year
Applicants will still need to satisfy the existing regional work requirement, including 88 days of specified regional work.
However, places will be allocated through a ballot.
Proposed annual limit: 45,000 places
Third year
Applicants will continue to need to meet the relevant regional work requirement, including six months of specified work.
The third-year program will also move to a ballot.
Proposed annual limit: 5,000 places
The Government has also announced measures aimed at stabilising Working Holiday Maker processing times for applications involving the regional-work requirement.
6. Visitor Visa Changes — No Further Stay
A major announced change is the introduction of a No Further Stay condition to visitor visas.
The Government says the purpose is to ensure visitor visas are used for genuine temporary visits rather than as a pathway to extending a person's stay in Australia through another onshore visa application.
The change will apply to future visitor visas and will not retrospectively affect people who are already in Australia under the existing arrangements.
A protection application will remain an exception to the restriction described by the Minister.
What this means for visitors
Visitors should carefully consider their visa options before travelling to Australia and should not assume that they will be able to transition to another visa while in Australia.
7. Stronger Action Against Visa Overstayers
The Government has announced stronger compliance measures to ensure people who no longer hold a valid visa leave Australia.
This forms part of the Government's broader focus on:
- visa compliance;
- lawful status in Australia;
- departure of people without valid visas; and
- strengthening the integrity of the migration system.
Anyone in Australia should understand their visa expiry date and conditions and obtain appropriate advice before their visa expires.
8. Stricter Regulation of Migration Agents
The Government has also announced changes targeting migration agents who knowingly support non-meritorious visa applications or claims.
Under the proposed changes, migration agents who engage in this conduct may face sanctions, including deregistration.
This reinforces the importance of providing accurate information, genuine evidence and properly prepared visa applications.
What Do These Changes Mean for Visa Applicants?
The 2026 reforms signal a stronger focus on:
🎓 Genuine education
Students should choose courses based on genuine educational and career objectives rather than repeatedly changing courses simply to extend their stay.
👷 Skills Australia needs
Skilled migration settings are being increasingly aligned with sectors such as construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture and resources.
🛂 Visa compliance
Visa holders should understand their visa conditions and maintain lawful status throughout their stay.
📄 Genuine applications
Applicants should provide accurate information and supporting evidence and obtain professional advice where necessary.
🇦🇺 Planning ahead
With changes affecting student, skilled, visitor and temporary visa pathways, applicants should consider their long-term visa strategy before lodging a new application.
Need Advice About Your Visa Options?
Migration laws and policy settings continue to change. The impact of these reforms will depend on your current visa, course, occupation, family circumstances and future migration pathway.
For advice specific to your circumstances, speak with a registered migration professional before making decisions about your next visa.
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This article provides general information only and should not be treated as legal or migration advice. Visa requirements and policy settings may change. Always check the latest Department of Home Affairs requirements and obtain advice relevant to your individual circumstances.!content