Australia Overhauls Migration System to Cut Annual Arrivals

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke unveiled a comprehensive migration overhaul on September 17, 2026, at the National Press Club in Canberra. The plan aims to reduce net overseas migration from approximately 300,000 in 2025 to 245,000 in 2026/27, with a long-term target of 225,000 by 2027-28. Because negotiations with the Coalition over a legislative package collapsed, the government is implementing these changes through regulatory tweaks and ministerial directives.

Key measures include banning most international students and graduate visa holders from bringing family members and restricting visa extensions to those pursuing higher-level degrees. The government is introducing a ballot system for second- and third-year working holiday visas, capping the latter at 5,000 places. To prevent visa hopping, a no further stay condition will be added to visitor visas. Enforcement will increase with 100 new compliance officers and 250 additional detention beds to remove approximately 77,000 visa overstayers.

To support the economy, the government will prioritize skilled migration in healthcare, construction, defense, and agriculture, weighting trade qualifications equally with university degrees in the points test. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor dismissed the targets as too high, while Pauline Hanson characterized the policy as smoke and mirrors. Humanitarian groups and the Greens criticized the increased use of detention and the restrictions on student families, with some describing the shift as a move toward hardline tactics.