17/09/2026
📢 Who comes, who stays and who leaves?
Yesterday, Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke outlined the Government’s proposed direction for Australia’s migration system.
Many of the measures were broadly expected. What stood out to us was the strong focus on temporary migration, visa hopping and compliance—and the absence of any major structural changes to skilled or employer-sponsored visa programs.
Here are our key takeaways:
🔹 Visitor visas
The Government intends to attach a No Further Stay condition to visitor visas. This would significantly restrict the ability of visitors to lodge another visa application while in Australia.
🔹 Student visas
Further restrictions are proposed to address “visa hopping”. Students seeking another student visa will generally need to progress to a higher-level qualification. Most international students will also be unable to include partners and dependent children, subject to limited exceptions.
🔹 Working Holiday Maker visas
A ballot system is proposed for second- and third-year visas, together with regional-work requirements. Separate arrangements may continue to apply to UK passport holders under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement.
🔹 Work visas and skilled migration
No major structural changes were announced to skilled or employer-sponsored visa programs. However, applicants with skills needed in critical sectors, including construction, healthcare, education, defence, resources and agriculture—are expected to receive greater processing priority.
🔹 Partner visa applicants
No separate major change to the partner visa program appears to have been announced. However, the proposed No Further Stay condition may significantly affect people who intend to enter Australia on a visitor visa and later apply for a partner visa onshore.
🔹 Visa overstayers
The Government plans stronger compliance and enforcement measures, including 100 additional compliance officers and increased efforts to locate and remove people who remain in Australia without a valid visa.
🔹 Migration levels
Net overseas migration is projected to fall to approximately 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 by 2027–28.
Overall, the announcement appears to be more about tightening temporary visa pathways and strengthening compliance than restructuring skilled or employer-sponsored migration.
The full impact will become clearer once the legislative and regulatory changes, commencement dates, exemptions and transitional arrangements are released.
If you are concerned about how these proposed changes may affect your visa options, contact Mavi Legal for advice tailored to your circumstances.
🌐 www.mavilegal.com.au
This post provides general information only and does not constitute legal or migration advice.
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