Australia's Migration Overhaul 2026: Impact on Student & Working Holiday Visas

A long-delayed announcement finally lands

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke delivered his National Press Club address, "The work of managing the migration program: who arrives, who stays, who leaves," on 17 September 2026, six weeks after the speech was originally postponed.

The announcement sets out changes to Australia's migration settings across several visa categories. The government's stated aim is to bring net overseas migration down to 245,000 for this financial year and 225,000 by 2027–28. Figures released the same day put net overseas migration at 292,100 for the year to March 2026.

What's changing for international students and their families

The most significant change for the education sector affects international students and graduate visa holders bringing family members to Australia.

• Most new international students and graduate visa applicants will no longer be able to bring a partner or children with them.

• Exemptions apply to PhD candidates and to students from Pacific and ASEAN nations.

• Families already in Australia, or already attached to an existing visa, will not be separated. Minister Burke confirmed the change is not retrospective.

• Students seeking to extend their stay onshore will generally need to move into a higher-level qualification, for example progressing from a bachelor's degree to a master's, rather than transferring sideways between similar-level courses.

For families currently overseas planning to apply for a student visa together, this is a meaningful shift. It is worth understanding which exemptions might apply to your situation before lodging an application.

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Changes for working holiday makers

A ballot system will apply to working holiday makers applying for a second or third year in Australia. This measure does not affect UK nationals, who are covered separately under the Australia-United Kingdom free trade agreement.

Broader measures announced

Minister Burke also flagged a wider set of measures as part of the overhaul, including:

• Increased compliance resourcing to address visa overstayers.

• Continued prioritisation of onshore applicants over offshore applicants for certain skilled and family visa categories, building on ministerial directions made earlier in 2026.

• A stated intention to pursue further legislative reform for protection visa claims, which the government says does not yet have parliamentary support to pass.

What hasn't changed

International student visa numbers themselves are not being capped under this announcement. The change targets the ability to bring family members, not enrolment numbers. The humanitarian and refugee intake was also confirmed to remain unchanged at 20,000 places.

What this mean for affected applicants

If you are an international student, prospective student, or sponsor of a partner or child as a dependent, these changes could affect your plans. Because commencement dates have not yet been published, it is important to understand your specific circumstances rather than rely on general reporting.

A registered migration agent can explain which exemptions may apply, whether your current visa or family arrangement is affected, and how to prepare your next application under the new settings.

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How Australian Migration Agents can assist

Migration policy changes like these can be confusing, especially while full details are still emerging. Our MARA-registered migration agents (MARN 2217744) can help you:

• Understand how the new student and family visa settings may apply to your situation.

• Assess your options if you are planning to apply for a student visa with a partner or child.

• Prepare decision-ready applications to reduce delays as settings change.

• Stay informed as further details and effective dates are confirmed.

Talk to a registered migration agent today

If you have questions about how this migration overhaul affects you or your family, reach out to Australian Migration Agents for a free initial consultation (T&Cs apply), available seven days a week.

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