Australia Toughens Student, Working Holiday Visa Rules to Cut Migration
The reforms will bar most student dependents and cap working holiday visa extensions as annual net migration is set to fall to about 225,000 by 2028.
- On Thursday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced stricter visa rules for international students and backpackers to curb migration, targeting so-called "visa hoppers" who repeatedly apply for lower-level courses.
- Migration remains a major political issue as Australia's population grew 1.4% to 27.9m in the year to March 2026; Burke described the post-COVID migration peak as "too high," citing housing affordability and living costs.
- New rules prevent most international students from bringing family members and introduce a ballot system for backpackers seeking extended stays, though British working holidaymakers remain unaffected due to the free trade agreement.
- While the populist One Nation party proposed slashing temporary visas by 750,000 over three years, Burke dismissed the plan, warning it would risk "smashing parts of the Australian economy."
- The government aims to reduce annual net overseas migration to about 225,000 by 2028, down from around 300,000 now, aligning these reforms with pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels to manage population growth.
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59 Articles
Australia Tightens Visa Rules on Students and Backpackers
CANBERRA – Australia is making major changes to its immigration system to gain better control over temporary arrivals. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke recently announced a sweeping package of strict visa reforms. These new rules will heavily impact international students, backpackers, and everyday tourists visiting the country. The ultimate goal is to bring net overseas […] <p>The post Australia Tightens Visa Rules on Students and Backpackers f…
(Hanoi=Yonhap News) Correspondent Park Jin-hyung = In Australia, where the popularity of an anti-immigration far-right party is rising, the Labor government is reducing the issuance of working holiday visas and the majority of...
Indian students face tough choices as Australia restricts family visas: Inside Canberra’s sharp immigration turn
The changes come as political pressure over Australia's high migration levels grows, with the hard-right One Nation party gaining ground in recent opinion polls.
Australia toughens student, working holiday visa rules to cut migration
Australia will stop most international students from adding family members to their visas and limit the extension of working holiday visas in a bid to reduce migration, the country's home affairs minister said Thursday.
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