Australia will reduce immigration by enforcing stricter regulations on international students and backpackers, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. The new measures, announced on Thursday, aim to limit immigration levels. Foreign students will no longer be permitted to bring family members with them, and those wishing to extend their stay must pursue a higher qualification.
The rules for working holiday visas, which are commonly utilized by backpackers and are vital for the agricultural sector, will also be tightened. A ballot system will be introduced, although these changes will not apply to the UK.
Burke stated that while immigration is a "strength" for Australia, there must be a "high level of control". He noted that the government will no longer automatically allow international students to bring family members over. Exemptions will be made for foreign students already in Australia and applicants from Pacific and Southeast Asian countries. PhD students will still be able to bring their families due to their different circumstances compared to undergraduates.
In a speech titled "The work of managing the migration program: who arrives, who stays, who leaves", Burke outlined various changes as the government aims to limit net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028.
On student visas, Burke indicated that the government will address "visa hopping", where students complete a course and then apply for another, often of a lower qualification. Students wishing to advance their education will be permitted to do so, such as moving from a bachelor's to a master's degree.
Significant changes to working holiday visas for individuals aged 18 to 30 were also announced. Currently, these visa holders can work in Australia for 12 months and may extend for a second and third year. To qualify for a second year, they must work for three months in regional Australia, and six months for a third year. Under the new rules, those eligible for a second year will enter a ballot limited to 45,000, reduced from 57,000 last year. The ballot for a third year will be capped at 5,000, down from 31,000. British working holidaymakers will not be affected due to the UK's free trade agreement with Australia.
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Australia's population grew by 1.4% in the year leading to March 2026, reaching 27.9 million, which includes a net overseas migration of 292,100.
Migration remains a contentious political issue, particularly as discussions about Australia's population increase amid rising living costs, housing affordability, and pressure on public services continue. The One Nation party, known for its anti-immigration stance, recently proposed cutting temporary migrant visas by 750,000 over three years and capping net overseas immigration at 130,000. Burke criticized this proposal, stating it could harm the Australian economy.
In July, the government prioritized family visa applications from individuals already in Australia over those submitted from abroad. Skilled migrants in Australia applying for permanent visas were also given priority. Additionally, applications for working holiday visas from 24 countries were paused, excluding the UK.
Violet Roumeliotis from Settlement Services International, which assists new arrivals in Australia, commented that the migration debate is increasingly influenced by short-term political considerations rather than the country's long-term needs. She noted that the changes to family visas for international students could hinder Australia's ability to attract future talent.