Image unavailable By Admin 18 Sep 2026 Migration News 13 min read Australia Migration Changes 2026: What Tony Burke’s New Rules Mean Australian Migration Update • 17 September 2026 On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a significant package of Australian migration changes affecting visitor visas, international students, graduate visas, Working Holiday Makers, skilled migration and visa compliance. These changes are important for temporary visa holders already in Australia, international students planning their next course, skilled applicants and Australian employers considering sponsorship. At V CAN Migration & Education Services , Registered Migration Agent Navjot Kaur – MARN 2217763 provides guidance across student, skilled, employer-sponsored, visitor and family visa pathways. Important implementation update The Department of Home Affairs says these migration changes have begun to be implemented and will be progressively rolled out over the next 12 months. Applicants should check the rules operating at the time they lodge an application. Read the official Australian Government Migration Policy Changes . Why Is Australia Changing Its Migration Settings? Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that Australia's net overseas migration was 292,100 in the year ending 31 March 2026. The Government says the latest migration settings are intended to support Budget forecasts while giving greater control over who arrives, who stays and who leaves Australia. Net Overseas Migration 292,100 Year ending March 2026 Budget Forecast 245,000 Current financial year Forward Forecast 225,000 2027–28 See the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population data . Six Major Migration Changes to Understand 1 No Further Stay Conditions on Future Visitor Visas The Government announced that a No Further Stay condition will be attached to visitor visas to reduce the use of visitor visas as a pathway to extending a person's stay in Australia. Tony Burke stated that this change is about the issuing of future visas and does not change the position of people already in Australia merely because of the announcement. If you are planning a temporary visit, review V CAN's Visitor Visa Subclass 600 guidance . 2 Student Visa Progression Rules Are Tightening The Government is targeting repeated student visa applications where further study is used primarily to prolong a person's stay rather than for genuine academic progression. Under the announced model, a student who completes a qualification will generally need to move up the qualification scale. For example, moving from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree fits the progression described by the Minister. Legitimate course transfers may still occur, although the Minister said a new visa application may be required so that the circumstances can be assessed. Review V CAN's Student Visa Subclass 500 information before changing courses or planning another application. 3 Changes to Student and Graduate Visa Family Members The Government announced restrictions on attaching family members to new international student and graduate visa arrangements. Tony Burke identified exceptions involving some Pacific and ASEAN arrangements and certain courses, including PhD programs. He also stated that families already attached to visas and already in Australia would not be separated solely because of this announcement. Applicants should check the detailed rules operating at the time of application before planning to include a spouse or children. 4 Working Holiday Years Two and Three Move to Ballots The Government announced a ballot model for further Working Holiday years for affected applicants. Second year: ballot capped at 45,000 places. Third year: ballot capped at 5,000 places. Applicable regional or specified work requirements remain relevant. Burke said 88 days of specified regional work will remain part of the second-year eligibility pathway and six months will remain relevant to third-year eligibility for affected applicants. 5 Stronger Action on Visa Overstayers The Government announced stronger compliance measures for people who remain in Australia after they no longer hold a valid visa. The announcement included an additional 100 compliance officers and 250 additional detention beds. A person holding a valid Bridging visa is not automatically an overstayer, although all visa conditions and validity requirements still need to be followed. 6 Greater Scrutiny of Migration Agent Conduct The Government also announced changes to the migration-agent code targeting agents who encourage applications without genuine merit. Applicants should seek advice based on current visa eligibility, genuine supporting evidence and the migration rules that apply to their individual circumstances. Read the full National Press Club migration announcement . Skilled Migration Remains Important in Priority Sectors The September announcement does not mean every migration pathway is being restricted in the same way. Home Affairs says priority-processing settings are being updated for key workforce sectors. Healthcare Construction Education Law Enforcement Defence Resources Agriculture Aquaculture Fishing The Minister also announced an intended points-test uplift for selected housing construction trades so that, on implementation, relevant trade qualifications can receive points comparable with a university-level qualification for this purpose. Important: Do not claim additional construction-trade points until the relevant points-test rules are formally operating. If you are considering skilled migration, use V CAN's Australia PR Points Calculator as an initial guide. What Do the Changes Mean for Australian Employers? Employers in construction, healthcare, education and other priority sectors may continue to have employer-sponsored visa options where all relevant sponsorship, nomination, occupation, salary and visa criteria are met. Check the occupation and role Review sponsorship eligibility Check current salary requirements Review employee visa expiry dates Prepare supporting evidence early Consider longer-term migration planning Employers considering sponsorship can review V CAN's Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 information. How Could These Changes Affect Different Visa Holders? Visitor Visa Planning Another Visa Onshore Check the conditions attached to your existing visa before assuming another visa can be lodged while you remain in Australia. International Student Planning Another Course Consider whether the next qualification represents genuine academic progression and whether another Student Visa application is required. Student With Family Spouse or Children Included Existing arrangements and future applications may be treated differently. Check the implemented secondary-applicant settings. Working Holiday Maker Planning a Second or Third Year Confirm your specified-work eligibility, ballot requirements and implementation dates before relying on another year. Skilled Applicant Working in a Priority Sector Review your occupation, skills assessment, points and current priority-processing settings before planning your application. Australian Employer Planning to Sponsor a Worker Review sponsorship and nomination requirements before the employee's existing visa approaches expiry. Already in Australia on a Visitor Visa? The most important first step is to check the conditions attached to your current visa grant. Do not assume that every Visitor Visa carries the same conditions or that physical presence in Australia automatically permits another visa application. If your plan involves a partner pathway, review both your Visitor Visa conditions and the eligibility requirements for an onshore Partner Visa Subclass 820/801 before taking action. What Should International Students Do Now? The latest migration settings make education planning and visa planning increasingly connected. Check your current Student Visa conditions Review your next qualification level Confirm whether a new visa application is required Check secondary applicant eligibility Review graduate visa planning Consider skilled or sponsored pathways early Students should avoid assuming that enrolment in another course will automatically provide a pathway to extending their stay. What Should Visa Holders Do Now? How the Australia migration changes 2026 affect you will depend on your current visa, visa conditions, future plans and the implementation date of the relevant measure. Confirm your current visa subclass Check your visa expiry date Review all existing visa conditions Identify your intended next pathway Check the current Home Affairs rules Confirm whether the relevant reform is operating Official Sources & Further Reading Department of Home Affairs – Australian Government Migration Policy Changes Tony Burke – National Press Club Speech, 17 September 2026 Australian Bureau of Statistics – Population, March 2026 Need Advice About How These Migration Changes Affect You? V CAN Migration & Education Services is led by Registered Migration Agent Navjot Kaur – MARN 2217763. Have your current visa, conditions and intended next pathway reviewed before making an important migration decision. Suite 3, Level 2, 190 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: 0416 827 751 Email: admin@vcanmigration.com.au Book a Consultation Call 0416 827 751 Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on Australian Government announcements and publicly available information as at 18 September 2026. Migration measures may be progressively implemented and may be affected by legislative instruments, ministerial directions, exemptions or updated Department of Home Affairs guidance. This information does not constitute personal migration advice. Individual circumstances should be assessed before action is taken. Frequently Asked QuestionsDoes the new No Further Stay rule affect my existing Visitor visa?The Minister said the announced change is about future visitor visa grants and would not change the position of people already in Australia solely because of the announcement. Your actual visa conditions remain the starting point, so check your current grant notice or VEVO.Can international students still bring their spouse or children?The Government has announced restrictions on secondary applicants for most new student and graduate visas, with some exceptions. The Minister specifically referred to special arrangements for Pacific and ASEAN countries and certain courses such as PhDs. Exact eligibility should be checked against the implemented rules.Can a student change courses?The announcement distinguishes legitimate course transfers from post-completion progression. Transfers may still occur, but the Minister said a new visa application may be required in some circumstances. After completing a qualification, the announced policy is generally that further study should move upward in qualification level.Is the third Working Holiday year being removed?No. The Government announced a ballot capped at 5,000 third-year places, subject to applicable eligibility and regional-work requirements.Are second-year Working Holiday visas also affected?Yes. The second-year ballot is planned to have 45,000 places. Applicants who are subject to the regional-work requirement will still need to satisfy it to qualify for the ballotAre skilled visas being reduced across every sector?No. The Government is also prioritizing visa processing in designated sectors including healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, defense, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing.Do construction trades automatically get extra migration points now?The Minister announced that selected housing trades will receive an uplift under the redesigned points test on implementation. Applicants should wait for the formal rules before claiming points under the new arrangement. Share
Australian Migration Update • 17 September 2026 On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a significant package of Australian migration changes affecting visitor visas, international students, graduate visas, Working Holiday Makers, skilled migration and visa compliance. These changes are important for temporary visa holders already in Australia, international students planning their next course, skilled applicants and Australian employers considering sponsorship. At V CAN Migration & Education Services , Registered Migration Agent Navjot Kaur – MARN 2217763 provides guidance across student, skilled, employer-sponsored, visitor and family visa pathways. Important implementation update The Department of Home Affairs says these migration changes have begun to be implemented and will be progressively rolled out over the next 12 months. Applicants should check the rules operating at the time they lodge an application. Read the official Australian Government Migration Policy Changes . Why Is Australia Changing Its Migration Settings? Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that Australia's net overseas migration was 292,100 in the year ending 31 March 2026. The Government says the latest migration settings are intended to support Budget forecasts while giving greater control over who arrives, who stays and who leaves Australia. Net Overseas Migration 292,100 Year ending March 2026 Budget Forecast 245,000 Current financial year Forward Forecast 225,000 2027–28 See the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population data . Six Major Migration Changes to Understand 1 No Further Stay Conditions on Future Visitor Visas The Government announced that a No Further Stay condition will be attached to visitor visas to reduce the use of visitor visas as a pathway to extending a person's stay in Australia. Tony Burke stated that this change is about the issuing of future visas and does not change the position of people already in Australia merely because of the announcement. If you are planning a temporary visit, review V CAN's Visitor Visa Subclass 600 guidance . 2 Student Visa Progression Rules Are Tightening The Government is targeting repeated student visa applications where further study is used primarily to prolong a person's stay rather than for genuine academic progression. Under the announced model, a student who completes a qualification will generally need to move up the qualification scale. For example, moving from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree fits the progression described by the Minister. Legitimate course transfers may still occur, although the Minister said a new visa application may be required so that the circumstances can be assessed. Review V CAN's Student Visa Subclass 500 information before changing courses or planning another application. 3 Changes to Student and Graduate Visa Family Members The Government announced restrictions on attaching family members to new international student and graduate visa arrangements. Tony Burke identified exceptions involving some Pacific and ASEAN arrangements and certain courses, including PhD programs. He also stated that families already attached to visas and already in Australia would not be separated solely because of this announcement. Applicants should check the detailed rules operating at the time of application before planning to include a spouse or children. 4 Working Holiday Years Two and Three Move to Ballots The Government announced a ballot model for further Working Holiday years for affected applicants. Second year: ballot capped at 45,000 places. Third year: ballot capped at 5,000 places. Applicable regional or specified work requirements remain relevant. Burke said 88 days of specified regional work will remain part of the second-year eligibility pathway and six months will remain relevant to third-year eligibility for affected applicants. 5 Stronger Action on Visa Overstayers The Government announced stronger compliance measures for people who remain in Australia after they no longer hold a valid visa. The announcement included an additional 100 compliance officers and 250 additional detention beds. A person holding a valid Bridging visa is not automatically an overstayer, although all visa conditions and validity requirements still need to be followed. 6 Greater Scrutiny of Migration Agent Conduct The Government also announced changes to the migration-agent code targeting agents who encourage applications without genuine merit. Applicants should seek advice based on current visa eligibility, genuine supporting evidence and the migration rules that apply to their individual circumstances. Read the full National Press Club migration announcement . Skilled Migration Remains Important in Priority Sectors The September announcement does not mean every migration pathway is being restricted in the same way. Home Affairs says priority-processing settings are being updated for key workforce sectors. Healthcare Construction Education Law Enforcement Defence Resources Agriculture Aquaculture Fishing The Minister also announced an intended points-test uplift for selected housing construction trades so that, on implementation, relevant trade qualifications can receive points comparable with a university-level qualification for this purpose. Important: Do not claim additional construction-trade points until the relevant points-test rules are formally operating. If you are considering skilled migration, use V CAN's Australia PR Points Calculator as an initial guide. What Do the Changes Mean for Australian Employers? Employers in construction, healthcare, education and other priority sectors may continue to have employer-sponsored visa options where all relevant sponsorship, nomination, occupation, salary and visa criteria are met. Check the occupation and role Review sponsorship eligibility Check current salary requirements Review employee visa expiry dates Prepare supporting evidence early Consider longer-term migration planning Employers considering sponsorship can review V CAN's Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 information. How Could These Changes Affect Different Visa Holders? Visitor Visa Planning Another Visa Onshore Check the conditions attached to your existing visa before assuming another visa can be lodged while you remain in Australia. International Student Planning Another Course Consider whether the next qualification represents genuine academic progression and whether another Student Visa application is required. Student With Family Spouse or Children Included Existing arrangements and future applications may be treated differently. Check the implemented secondary-applicant settings. Working Holiday Maker Planning a Second or Third Year Confirm your specified-work eligibility, ballot requirements and implementation dates before relying on another year. Skilled Applicant Working in a Priority Sector Review your occupation, skills assessment, points and current priority-processing settings before planning your application. Australian Employer Planning to Sponsor a Worker Review sponsorship and nomination requirements before the employee's existing visa approaches expiry. Already in Australia on a Visitor Visa? The most important first step is to check the conditions attached to your current visa grant. Do not assume that every Visitor Visa carries the same conditions or that physical presence in Australia automatically permits another visa application. If your plan involves a partner pathway, review both your Visitor Visa conditions and the eligibility requirements for an onshore Partner Visa Subclass 820/801 before taking action. What Should International Students Do Now? The latest migration settings make education planning and visa planning increasingly connected. Check your current Student Visa conditions Review your next qualification level Confirm whether a new visa application is required Check secondary applicant eligibility Review graduate visa planning Consider skilled or sponsored pathways early Students should avoid assuming that enrolment in another course will automatically provide a pathway to extending their stay. What Should Visa Holders Do Now? How the Australia migration changes 2026 affect you will depend on your current visa, visa conditions, future plans and the implementation date of the relevant measure. Confirm your current visa subclass Check your visa expiry date Review all existing visa conditions Identify your intended next pathway Check the current Home Affairs rules Confirm whether the relevant reform is operating Official Sources & Further Reading Department of Home Affairs – Australian Government Migration Policy Changes Tony Burke – National Press Club Speech, 17 September 2026 Australian Bureau of Statistics – Population, March 2026 Need Advice About How These Migration Changes Affect You? V CAN Migration & Education Services is led by Registered Migration Agent Navjot Kaur – MARN 2217763. Have your current visa, conditions and intended next pathway reviewed before making an important migration decision. Suite 3, Level 2, 190 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: 0416 827 751 Email: admin@vcanmigration.com.au Book a Consultation Call 0416 827 751 Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on Australian Government announcements and publicly available information as at 18 September 2026. Migration measures may be progressively implemented and may be affected by legislative instruments, ministerial directions, exemptions or updated Department of Home Affairs guidance. This information does not constitute personal migration advice. Individual circumstances should be assessed before action is taken.