Immigration Updates

Media report (not official): ABC reports the Opposition proposes reducing net overseas migration to 100,000 a year for two years, mainly through changes to graduate, refugee and bridging visas. No economic modelling was released, and One Nation and Labor criticised the proposal.

From 2 October 2026, holders of 17 temporary visas must apply for Student visas offshore, most students can no longer bring family, and providers must be kept for 12 months before transferring.

Media report (not official): ABC reports the government plans to close a regulatory gap for lawyers and tighten the migration agents code of conduct to stop assistance with applications lacking a factual or legal basis. The proposal is part of a wider push to bring net overseas migration down.

Media report (not official): ABC reports applicants and sponsors have written to the Minister about the July decision to give offshore partner visas lower priority than onshore ones. The report cites processing times of up to about 39 months for subclass 309, compared with about 29 months onshore.

Since 19 September 2026, Directions 121 and 122 set the processing order for temporary and permanent skilled visas, replacing Direction 119 and putting key sectors such as healthcare and construction first.

The 17 September 2026 reform package flags a No Further Stay condition on visitor visas, a ballot for second- and third-year Working Holiday visas and an updated character Direction. Several measures are not yet law.

Media report (not official): ABC reports the Home Affairs Minister used a Press Club address to announce limits on student dependants, a ballot to cap second- and third-year working holiday stays, and extra compliance officers and detention beds. Net overseas migration forecasts are now being treated as targets, with some measures still needing legislation.

Media report (not official): The Nightly reports ABS data showing net overseas migration of about 292,100 in the year to March 2026, with population growth slowing to a four-year low. Overseas migration still accounted for most population growth, and Western Australia grew fastest.

Home Affairs reminds permanent residents that their visa's travel facility can expire. Anyone travelling past that date may need a Resident Return visa to come back as a permanent resident.

Media report (not official): ABC reports a One Nation MP said the party may consider reducing family visas for Australian citizens, alongside its plan to cut temporary migration by 750,000 over three years. A former senior immigration official argued that capping such visas would be unlawful.