The announcement comes amid a surge in the hard‑right One Nation party’s polling, which last week vowed to cut temporary migration by 750,000 over three years. The government has already tightened student visa fees and English‑language tests.
Under the new rules, foreign students will be barred from bringing partners and children, except a handful of Pacific Island and Southeast Asian nationals. Students can only renew if they advance to a higher qualification level. The changes will push net migration from 306,000 in 2025 to 225,000 by 2028.
Backpacker visa holders will face a ballot system for extensions, and all visitor visas will carry a "no further stay" clause. The clause prevents applicants from staying while switching to other visa categories. The ballot is expected to launch in 2027.
International education contributed A$53.6 billion to the economy in the year to June 2025, yet the sector has become a flashpoint for voters concerned about cost of living and migration. Student visa fees have jumped 300 % to A$2,500. The policy shift could reshape the industry’s contribution.
Sofia, a 22‑year‑old engineering student from Sri Lanka, said she had planned to bring her fiancé and their newborn when she returned for a masters. The new rules mean she must stay alone, a blow that has rattled many students. She echoed concerns that the policy is punitive.
The government will roll out the reforms in stages, with the working holiday ballot arriving next year, and a full audit of student visa eligibility scheduled for early 2026. The changes will take effect from the 2026 intake, signaling a new era of stricter migration oversight.