Australia's federal government has unveiled a broad set of reforms to the nation's immigration framework, with new measures targeting overseas students, tourists, working holiday visa holders, and those who overstay their visa conditions. The reforms were outlined by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at a National Press Club address in Canberra on Thursday, 17 September.
Authorities have set targets to bring net overseas migration down to 245,000 in the current financial year, followed by 225,000 in 2027–28. According to the most recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, net overseas migration dropped to around 292,000 for the twelve months ending March 2026.
The proposed reforms would prevent the majority of overseas students from bringing family members, including spouses and children, with them during their studies in Australia. Over 337,000 student visas were approved throughout the preceding financial year, with nearly 46,000 of those allocated to secondary applicants, a category encompassing partners and dependent children.
New regulations are set to close loopholes that allow holders of temporary visas to repeatedly switch between visa categories or re-enrol in courses as a means of prolonging their time in Australia. Those applying for student visas will undergo more thorough reviews of their funding sources and academic objectives.
Burke argued that educational institutions ought to prioritise delivering authentic academic qualifications over facilitating pathways to permanent residency.
Tourist visas will carry a restriction prohibiting any further stay in the country. The measure aims to stop people from entering on tourist visas and subsequently lodging onshore applications for a temporary or partner visa. Authorities contend that the policy adjustment will restrict visitor visas to their intended purpose of brief stays, while also reducing the number of applicants transitioning onto bridging visas during the assessment of subsequent applications.
Families and couples who have already entered Australia and intend to submit visa applications may be affected by the updated requirement. Those affected are advised to consult a registered immigration specialist before arranging any travel or visa applications.
Those seeking to extend their working holiday visa in Australia for a second or third year will be required to enter a new lottery-based selection process. Fulfilling the regional work obligation will remain a prerequisite, yet doing so will no longer entitle applicants to an additional year of residency in Australia. Qualifying for the draw would instead become an option available to them.
Entries for the forthcoming round will be restricted to 45,000 spots, down from the roughly 57,000 individuals who were eligible the previous year. Intake for the third-year draw will be capped at 5,000 spots, a steep reduction from the roughly 31,000 eligible applicants recorded in the previous round.
Under the Australia-UK free trade agreement, those holding a British passport will face neither numerical caps nor regional work obligations.
Extra funding and staffing will be allocated to the Australian Border Force to strengthen its capacity to detect and deport individuals who have overstayed or otherwise breached their visa conditions. Plans call for hiring 100 new enforcement personnel and creating as many as 250 detention spaces at facilities near key airports. Authorities are also weighing the possibility of repurposing a former quarantine site in Melbourne as an immigration detention centre.
Officials are anticipated to prioritise promoting self-initiated departures while pursuing firmer compliance measures against individuals who remain in the country beyond the expiry of their permitted stay.
The administration intends to curtail total immigration numbers while fast-tracking visa applications from skilled workers capable of addressing labour shortages across sectors such as construction, healthcare, aged care, education, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing, defence, law enforcement, and essential trades and resources. Revisions to Ministerial Direction 119 would direct visa processing officers to prioritise applicants whose qualifications align with the country's workforce requirements.
Burke argued that population movement required deliberate oversight to allow housing and public infrastructure to keep up, while also cautioning that overly steep reductions in migration numbers could harm the broader economy and deepen workforce shortages across construction, nursing, and aged care sectors.
Further details on rollout timelines and specific provisions may yet be published or revised by authorities. Those planning to visit, work, or relocate abroad — including holidaymakers and families — are advised to seek information from official sources rather than relying solely on news coverage when making travel decisions. Those seeking a visa are advised to verify current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs or seek guidance from an accredited migration agent prior to submitting or updating their application.
