On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke used a National Press Club address in Canberra to unveil Labor's long-awaited migration overhaul, themed “who arrives, who stays, who leaves.” The same morning, the ABS released figures showing net overseas migration fell to 292,100 in the year to March 2026, down from 309,500 in the previous 12-month period. The government is committed to bringing NOM down to 245,000 in 2026-27 and 225,000 by 2027-28, and now treats these forecasts as targets to meet.
Most measures are being implemented through regulation and ministerial direction rather than new legislation, so they can move faster than a normal parliamentary process — but some details, especially exact commencement dates, are still to be confirmed by Home Affairs. Here's the breakdown by visa type.
1. Student visas (500): no “reverse progression,” and family restrictions
To curb so-called visa hopping, students will generally only be able to move to a higher-level course than the one they're currently studying — moving sideways or down to a lower qualification will no longer be permitted (a bachelor's-to-master's step is fine). In general, international students will no longer be allowed to bring family members, with some exceptions, including PhD students and applicants from Pacific and ASEAN countries. These changes apply to future grants.
2. Visitor visas (600): a “No Further Stay” condition on all future grants
The government will expand the “No Further Stay” condition to apply to all visitor visas. All future visitor visas will carry Condition 8503, preventing holders from applying for most other visas while in Australia; it cannot be waived except in compelling and compassionate circumstances beyond the applicant's control — with a 2026 success rate below 5%. The change only applies to future visa grants. Always check the grant letter and VEVO for the actual conditions attached.
3. Skilled migration: this is where the good news is
Ministerial Direction 119, first issued in July, will be updated to expand priority processing to additional sectors including construction, healthcare and agriculture. The points test for the Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas will also give trade qualifications the same points as a university qualification — construction workers in particular will earn more points to help boost housing construction.
4. Working Holiday Maker visas: a ballot for second and third years
A ballot system will be introduced for second- and third-year backpacker visas; previously, only first-year working holiday visas were subject to a ballot. Second-year eligibility is capped at 45,000 places, with applicants still needing 88 days of regional work to enter the ballot; the third year is restricted to just 5,000 places with a six-month regional work requirement. UK working holiday makers remain exempt from the regional work requirement under the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, though their processing will remain slower than others.
5. Compliance and enforcement
The government will introduce stronger measures aimed at ensuring an estimated 77,000 visa overstayers leave the country, taking a tougher approach with more use of detention — reviving the approach in place before 2015 — backed by 100 more compliance officers and 250 extra detention beds, alongside a crackdown on “rogue” migration agents. Burke also said he wants to clamp down on spurious protection claims, but this would require legislation, and attempts to secure opposition support have so far failed — so this element is an intention, not yet in force.
What it means for you
The direction is clear: temporary visas are tightening across the board, while skilled migration — especially trades and priority sectors — is being actively encouraged. If you're planning a course change, a post-study visa, bringing family, a working-holiday extension or a visitor visa, both your timing and your pathway deserve a fresh look. If you hold trade qualifications or work in a priority sector, this may be the moment to seriously consider skilled migration.
📩 J&R Migration are registered migration agents and can assess your individual circumstances. The rules are still rolling out and details change daily — don't wait until your visa is about to expire.
This is general information only and not migration advice. Verify the current Home Affairs requirements applicable at the time of lodgement.