17/09/2026
📢 Australia's migration program: What Just Changed?
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced a major overhaul of Australia's migration program (17 September 2026), aimed at bringing net overseas migration down to 225,000 by 2028.
An important note before anything else: these are announced provisions, not law yet. Most of the changes are being made through regulation, and the Department of Home Affairs is still to publish the final rules, start dates, and full list of exemptions. Treat the below as direction of travel, and don't make hasty decisions on the strength of headlines.
Here's what's on the table 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
🎓 Students & graduates: most future students won't be able to bring family (exemptions expected for Pacific & ASEAN nationals and PhD candidates). Course switching to be limited to higher-level courses.
🦘 Already in Australia? Existing visa holders with family on their visa are not affected, this applies to future grants.
🎒 Working holiday makers: a ballot system with sharp cuts to second- and third-year places.
✈️ Visitor visas: a new "no further stay" condition on new grants to curb visa hopping.
🛠️ Skilled visas: trades to be valued equally with university qualifications; priority for health, education & construction.
🔎 Compliance: more officers and firmer action on overstayers.
If you have an application, a course change, or family plans in motion, the timing of your next step matters. Reach out before you act, we're following the Department's announcements closely and will keep you posted as the official rules land. 📩
Disclaimer: General information only, current as at 17 September 2026. Not migration or legal advice, please seek advice tailored to your circumstances.