Australia has announced changes affecting student families, visitor visas, Working Holiday Makers, skilled migration and visa overstayers, with several details still to be confirmed.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the measures at the National Press Club on 17 September 2026 as the Government works to reduce net overseas migration (NOM).
The changes could affect people planning to study, visit, work or remain in Australia. However, the announcement does not mean every measure is already in force. Some changes require new regulations or ministerial directions, while others would require legislation.
What Are the Main Australian Visa Changes?
The Government has announced changes to:
- Family members of international students and Temporary Graduate visa holders
- Student course changes and “visa hopping”
- Visitor visas
- Second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas
- Skilled migration points and processing priorities
- Enforcement against visa overstayers
Here is what applicants need to know.
International Students May No Longer Be Able to Bring Family Members
Most future international students and Temporary Graduate visa holders will no longer be able to have family members included as secondary applicants under the announced changes.
There will be exceptions for students from Pacific and ASEAN countries and for certain postgraduate students, including PhD students.
People already in Australia with secondary applicants will not be affected, according to the Government.
What does this mean for students?
The change could be particularly important for people planning to study in Australia while their partner or children remain overseas.
The Government’s announcement indicates that the current ability for most students and graduates to have family members join them will be restricted. However, the final rules will need to confirm exactly when the change starts and how existing and future applications will be treated.
Australia Is also Targeting “Visa Hopping”
The Government wants to prevent people from repeatedly moving between temporary visas to extend their stay beyond the original purpose of their visa. It has distinguished this from legitimate progression through Australia’s migration system, such as moving from a Student visa to a Graduate visa and then to a skilled visa.
Students will still be able to progress to higher-level qualifications, such as moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.
Transfers to lower-level study will require a new visa application. The Migration Institute of Australia notes that this requirement is already reflected in existing policy and visa condition 8202.
Future Visitor Visas Will Have a No Further Stay Condition
The Government plans to apply condition 8503, known as a No Further Stay condition, to future Visitor visa grants.
The condition generally prevents a person from applying for most other substantive visas while they remain in Australia. Protection visa applications are an exception identified by the Government.
Importantly, the announced change will not affect Visitor visas that have already been granted or people who are already in Australia on a Visitor visa.
The Government says the measure is intended to reduce the use of Visitor visas to move into other visa pathways onshore. It also says offshore partners should be able to visit their partners in Australia for longer periods while waiting for Partner visa applications to be processed.
The final implementation arrangements are still to come.
Working Holiday Maker Visas Will Use a Ballot
Second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas will move to a ballot under the announced changes. The announced caps are:
- Second year – 45,000 places
- Third year – 5,000 places
Applicants will still need to meet the existing specified-work requirements, including 88 days of regional work for a second-year visa and six months of specified work for a third-year visa.
The Government also plans to return processing to a normal pace for applicants who have already completed the relevant work requirements.
UK applicants will continue to face different arrangements because they are not required to complete regional work under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement.
Further details about the ballot are yet to be released.
Skilled Migration Will Place More Emphasis on Trades
The Government has also announced changes to skilled migration.
A new points test will give greater weight to housing and construction trade qualifications. The Minister said qualified tradespeople in high-demand areas could receive points broadly comparable to those available for a university qualification.
The Government also plans to update Ministerial Direction 119, which affects the order in which certain visa applications are processed.
Agriculture and resources/fisheries are among the areas identified for priority. Construction, teaching and healthcare are also part of the relevant priority settings.
The exact points and processing arrangements will depend on the final changes.
Visa Overstayers Will Face Stronger Enforcement
The Government also plans to strengthen enforcement against visa overstayers.
Minister Burke said there are about 77,000 visa overstayers in Australia. The Government plans to add 100 compliance officers and 250 detention beds and return to an approach involving detention followed by voluntary departure within weeks.
The Government says the approach will not involve raid-style enforcement.
For current visa holders, the practical message is straightforward: check your visa expiry date and conditions and make sure you have a lawful pathway to remain in Australia if you need to stay longer.
Are These Changes Already Law?
Not all of them.
The Government announced the measures on 17 September, but different changes will require different legal steps before they take effect.
Some will require changes to migration regulations or ministerial directions. Other proposals, including broader changes to the demand-driven migration program, would require legislation.
This means applicants should not assume that an announced change has immediately replaced the current visa rules.
The Government and the Department of Home Affairs are expected to provide further details as the changes are implemented.
What Do the Changes Mean for Visa Applicants?
The impact of the announced changes will depend on the visa pathway, the applicant’s circumstances and when the relevant measures take effect.
The changes may be particularly important for:
- Students planning to bring a partner or children to Australia
- People considering a Visitor visa before applying for another visa
- Working Holiday Makers seeking a second or third visa
- Skilled migrants relying on points or processing priorities
- Temporary visa holders approaching the end of their lawful stay
At SALIA Lawyers & Associates, we help individuals, families and businesses understand their Australian migration options and respond to changes in the migration system. If an announced change may affect your visa plans, obtaining advice based on your individual circumstances can help you understand which options remain available and what requirements apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visa changes did Australia announce in September 2026?
The Government announced changes affecting Student and Temporary Graduate visa family members, Visitor visas, Working Holiday Maker visas, skilled migration, student course changes and visa compliance.
Can international students still bring their family to Australia?
Most future students and Temporary Graduate visa holders will no longer be able to have secondary applicants under the announced changes. Exceptions include students from Pacific and ASEAN countries and certain postgraduate students, including PhD students.
Will existing students and their families be affected?
The Government has said that people already in Australia with secondary applicants will not be affected. The final rules will clarify how future applications and family members joining existing visa holders will be treated.
Will Visitor visas have a No Further Stay condition?
The Government plans to apply condition 8503 to future Visitor visa grants. Existing Visitor visas and people already in Australia on a Visitor visa will not be affected by the announced change.
Will Working Holiday visas require a ballot?
Second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas will move to a ballot, with 45,000 places for second-year visas and 5,000 for third-year visas.
Will trades receive more points for skilled migration?
The Government has announced a new points test giving greater weight to housing and construction trade qualifications. The final points test has not yet been released.
When will the new visa changes start?
There is no single start date for all the announced measures. Some require regulations or ministerial directions, while other proposals require legislation. Further details are expected as the Government implements the changes.
Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided is intended as a general guide and should not be relied upon as legal or migration advice. As migration laws and regulations can change, we recommend consulting an Australian Lawyer or Registered Migration Agent for advice tailored to your circumstances.
