Australia Immigration Changes 2026: What Students, Graduates and Temporary Visa Holders Need to Know

The federal government’s announcement of migration policy on 17 September 2026 will bring a number of changes to the Australian migration system.

The measures announced are directed towards temporary migration issues such as international students and their families, visa hopping, Visitor visas, Working Holiday Maker arrangements and visa compliance.

What is important, however, is that not all of the announced measures come into effect at once. Other changes will come into effect once changes to visa conditions, regulations or administrative arrangements are in place.

These developments may affect the requirements for students, graduates and other temporary visa holders.

International Students May Face New Family Restrictions

One of the most significant announcements concerns the relatives of international students.

The changes are expected to mean that most international students will no longer be able to bring their partners and children to Australia. It should be noted that there are exceptions for some students, including those from Pacific and ASEAN countries and those who have chosen specific higher-level courses, such as PhD programs.

The government has also said that the changes will not result in families being separated if they are already in Australia under existing arrangements. The measures are mainly targeted at future applications and future arrivals.

This means that those intending to study in Australia should consider their course, visa requirements and future plans before making an application.

For information about course selection and admissions, see the Education & Admission Services page.

Visa Hopping: Students Will Be Expected to Progress

The government has also announced tougher measures against “visa hopping”.

Changing visa types is not necessarily an issue. The government has recognised that there can be legitimate progression, which can include moving from a Student visa to a Graduate visa and then into skilled employment.

The concern is that repeated movements between courses at the same or lower qualification level may sometimes be intended primarily to prolong a person’s stay.

The approach announced is for learners to typically move through qualification levels. One move from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree, for example, would represent a progression, while multiple changes at the same or lower level may receive greater scrutiny.

Students considering switching to another course should therefore consider whether the proposed course represents a meaningful academic or career progression and understand the implications for their visa situation.

What Does This Mean for Graduate Visa Holders?

Graduate visa holders should also consider their longer-term visa pathway rather than planning only until the end of their temporary visa.

This may involve skilled migration, state or territory nomination, employer-sponsored visas, further study and/or eligible family visas.

A Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows eligible graduates to stay and work in Australia temporarily after completing eligible studies. However, holding a 485 visa does not itself secure permanent residency.

When deciding whether to continue their education, graduates should consider:

• Occupation and skills assessment eligibility
• English language requirements
• Points position
• State or territory nomination
• Relevant work experience
• Employer-sponsored options
• Visa expiry date

For those interested in employer sponsorship, read our guide on Student Visa to Employer Sponsorship in Australia.

Future Visitor Visas to Include No Further Stay

Another significant announcement concerns Visitor visas.

All future Visitor visas are expected to have a No Further Stay condition attached. The stated goal is to prevent people who obtain Visitor visas from applying for another visa while in Australia to extend their stay.

The measure will not affect people who are already in Australia on existing Visitor visas. It is intended to apply to future Visitor visa applications.

Those intending to apply for a Visitor visa should therefore understand the conditions attached to the visa and what they need to do before travelling to Australia.

For more information, visit the Visitor Visa Australia page.

Working Holiday Maker Changes

The Working Holiday Maker program will also be changed.

The second-year places will be capped at 45,000, compared with 57,000 people who qualified this year, according to the announcement. The number of people participating in the third year will be significantly limited through a ballot of 5,000 places. Existing regional work requirements will remain in effect.

The government also intends to revise Ministerial Direction 119 to place greater emphasis on skills required in industries such as construction, agriculture, fisheries and teaching.

These arrangements should be reviewed in detail once the relevant rules and administrative arrangements are published.

Stronger Action Against Visa Overstayers

Visa compliance is also included in the announced changes.

The government has referred to approximately 77,000 visa overstayers and announced further compliance measures, including additional capacity to detain people and an increase in compliance officers.

As a temporary visa holder, it is important to know:

• When your visa expires
• What conditions apply to your visa
• Whether you have a valid pathway to remain in Australia
• Whether you need to make another visa application before your current visa expires

Plans to apply for another visa do not automatically provide lawful status, and an Expression of Interest is not a visa itself.

Planning is especially important if your Student visa is ending soon and you are hoping to receive a possible PR invitation.

See our guide: What Happens If Your Student Visa Expires Before a PR Invitation?

Greater Focus on Skills Australia Needs

The announced migration changes also place greater emphasis on the skills Australia needs.

Higher-priority areas identified under the planned update to Ministerial Direction 119 include construction, agriculture, fisheries and teaching.

Skilled professionals should consider these developments in relation to the visa subclass they may be eligible for as well as their potential migration pathway.

Some factors to consider include:

• Occupation eligibility
• Skills assessment
• English language requirements
• Points
• State or territory nomination
• Work experience
• Employer sponsorship

Skills assessment authorities and requirements vary according to the nominated occupation. Additional information can be found on our Skills Assessment Services page.

Further information about skilled and other immigration pathways is available through our Australian Immigration Services.

What Should Students and Temporary Visa Holders Do Now?

The announced changes do not mean that all temporary visa holders should immediately change their plans. However, they do highlight the importance of understanding the current and upcoming migration environment.

The appropriate approach will depend on each individual’s circumstances.

Current Students

Review your course progression, visa conditions and expected completion date before making course changes.

Students Approaching Graduation

Understand your post-study visa options early, including the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), skilled migration and employer-sponsored pathways where appropriate.

485 Visa Holders

Review your occupation, skills assessment, points and potential state-nominated or employer-sponsored visa options well before your visa expires.

Families Planning to Join Students

Consider the announced restrictions and any applicable exceptions before making arrangements to join an international student in Australia.

People With an Expiring Visa

Check your lawful status and available options well before your visa expiry date rather than waiting until the final days.

When Will the New Immigration Changes Start?

The announcement on 17 September 2026 does not mean that all of the measures become new visa rules on the same day.

Some changes may be implemented through visa conditions, ministerial directions or administrative arrangements. Additional measures may also require further regulatory changes.

It is therefore important to distinguish between a policy that has been announced and a measure that has been formally implemented or fully explained through applicable rules.

Before making an important visa decision, verify the exact commencement dates and eligibility requirements once the relevant rules and administrative arrangements are published.

What Do the 2026 Immigration Changes Mean?

The new statements focus more closely on temporary migration, further education and skill development, visa compliance and matching migration with Australia’s labour market needs.

For international students, this makes course selection and longer-term planning increasingly important. Graduates should consider their next step before a temporary visa is approaching expiry. For skilled workers, skills assessment, occupation eligibility, potential nomination and employer sponsorship may all be relevant considerations.

Migration policies may evolve, and the effect of an announced policy may differ depending on visa subclass, occupation, study history and individual circumstances.

If you are unsure how the latest changes could affect your education, visa or permanent residency plans, professional advice based on your circumstances may help you understand the options available to you.

Important: The information in this article is intended as an overview of Australian migration policy statements announced on 17 September 2026. Immigration provisions, visa eligibility and the way provisions are applied may change. Before making a visa or migration decision, verify the current requirements relevant to your circumstances.

Sources

• SBS News – Tony Burke unveils major migration changes
• ABC News – International students and family migration changes
• Department of Home Affairs – Working Holiday Maker latest news
• Department of Home Affairs – Working Holiday visa information