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Major Australian migration reforms announced on 17 September 2026 affecting skilled migrants, students, visitors and working holiday makers.
Australia has announced major proposed reforms covering skilled migration, student visas, visitor visas, working holiday makers and immigration compliance.
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On 17 September 2026, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke announced a broad package of proposed Australian migration reforms at the National Press Club. The reforms are intended to give the Government greater control over who arrives, who remains and who must leave, while targeting migration towards occupations and industries important to Australia. The announcement followed Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing net overseas migration of 292,100 in the year ending March 2026, compared with 309,500 in the previous 12 months. The Government said the measures are intended to support Budget forecasts of 245,000 in the current financial year and 225,000 in 2027–28.
The Minister announced that the skilled migration points test has been redesigned in consultation with Treasury. A significant proposal is to give selected housing-trade skills additional recognition, potentially awarding points comparable to a university qualification. This may improve opportunities for eligible construction and housing-trade workers. However, the final points allocations, eligible occupations, commencement date and transitional arrangements have not yet been published. Applicants should not recalculate their points until the final rules are confirmed.
The Government announced that Ministerial Direction 119 would be updated to expand priority processing. The official announcement identifies healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing. Priority processing affects the order in which visa applications are considered. It does not remove any visa requirement or guarantee approval. Applicants should rely on the final direction and Department of Home Affairs guidance once published.
The Minister announced restrictions on automatically attaching family members to most future Student and Temporary Graduate visa arrangements. Families already in Australia with attached family members are not intended to be separated by the proposed change. Exceptions are expected for certain Pacific and ASEAN arrangements and some programs such as PhD study. The Government also intends to restrict visa hopping through repeated course enrolments. Students would generally need to progress upwards on the qualification framework, such as moving from a bachelor degree to a master degree. Genuine extensions and legitimate transfers may remain available, although a new visa application may be required. Students should obtain advice before changing courses, cancelling a Confirmation of Enrolment or moving providers.
The Government announced an intention to attach a No Further Stay condition to future visitor visas. This would prevent most visitor visa holders from lodging certain substantive visa applications while in Australia. The Minister stated that the proposal would apply to future visitor visas, not retrospectively to people already in Australia, and would not prevent protection visa applications. The applicable visa subclasses, condition, waiver arrangements and commencement date still need to be confirmed.
The Government announced ballots for second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas. Existing specified-work requirements would continue: generally 88 days for a second year and six months for a third year. Completing that work would provide eligibility to enter a ballot rather than guarantee another visa. The proposed second-year ballot would be capped at 45,000 places, compared with about 57,000 people qualifying in the previous year. The proposed third-year ballot would be capped at 5,000 places, compared with about 31,000 previously. Different arrangements affect UK passport holders under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement.
The Government plans to strengthen professional rules for migration agents. Registered migration agents who knowingly encourage applications without merit, including non-genuine protection claims, could face sanctions or deregistration. Genuine protection claims remain an essential part of the system. The Minister also announced 100 additional compliance officers and 250 additional places or beds to support action involving people without a valid visa. Ministerial Direction 110 is expected to be updated to strengthen consideration of crimes involving children, domestic and family violence, and conduct involving hatred.
These measures were announced on 17 September 2026, but an announcement does not mean every change is already in force. Some measures require legislation, regulations, updated ministerial directions or further Departmental guidance. Students should obtain advice before changing courses or providers. Skilled applicants should wait for the final points-test rules. Visitors should check whether their visa carries a No Further Stay condition, and working holiday makers should retain complete evidence of specified work. To discuss how the changes may affect your circumstances, book an appointment with Study Point Global at https://www.studypointglobal.com.au/book-appointment. Phone +61 434 943 673. MARN 2619317.
Official sources: Minister for Home Affairs media release — https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/migration-reform-end-rorts-bring-skills-australia-needs-strong-economy.aspx | National Press Club speech — https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/speech-national-press-club-17092026.aspx | Australian Bureau of Statistics release — https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/australias-population-grows-14-march-2026. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. It is current as at 21 September 2026. Announced measures may require legislation, regulations, directions or further guidance before commencing, and final requirements may differ. Obtain professional advice before making decisions or lodging an application.
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