The Australian Government is set to introduce changes to Australia’s migration program, with a particular focus on temporary visa holders and reducing net overseas migration.

According to ABC News, the Government is targeting a reduction in net overseas migration from approximately 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028.

What changes?

The changes are expected to focus on:

• Primary Student visa holders bringing dependent family members to Australia; 
• Ensuring there are targeted avenues for temporary migrants and clear avenues to Skilled, Partner or Graduate pathways;
• Staggering the entrance of Working Holiday Makers, and reducing the reliance on multiple Working Holiday visas;
• Reducing the reliance on multiple temporary visa applications.

Rather than introducing new legislation, the Australian Government is looking to regulate temporary migrant numbers through regulation, including changes to visa conditions and application processes.

International Students and family members

It appears that it will shortly be enacted, that primary Student visa holders can no longer bring dependent family members with them.

In addition:

• If a Student wishes to change courses, they are required to apply for another visa; and
• If a Student has completed their course, they may only move into a course of higher qualification. EG if a bachelor degree was completed, a Student may only continue on in Australia, if they apply for a Masters’ degree.

Student visa numbers themselves are not expected to be reduced.

What about Working Holiday visas?

Working Holiday Maker visa processing was also affected by changes introduced in July, with some applications experiencing slower processing as the Government sought to manage overall migration levels.

There is discussion of a ‘ballot’ system being introduced, for those Working Holiday Makers in Australia who are wanting to undertake their regional work to apply for their second and third year visas. Eligibility for a second year stay will be capped at 45,000 places per annum, with applicants still needing to undertake their regional work in order to qualify for the ballot system. For the third year, six months of regional work is required, with 5,000 places allocated for this cohort.

For our UK Working Holiday visa holders, at this stage we are not anticipating these changes to affect them due to Australia’s existing international trade obligations (ITO) with the United Kingdom.

We are awaiting further updates and the relevant legislation and will keep our clients informed as more information becomes available.

What happens next?

Further details have since been announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. We are reviewing these updates and will provide further information on what the additional announcements and regulations may mean for visa holders and applicants as they come.

Source: ABC News, 17 September 2026 – Initial report ABC News article
Source: ABC News, 17 September 2026 – Further announcement ABC News article