Australia is preparing to introduce tighter immigration rules that would effectively prevent international students from bringing their partners and children to the country while they study.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is expected to announce the changes as part of a broader migration overhaul aimed at reducing Australia’s net overseas migration and tightening rules around temporary visas.
Student Numbers Expected to Remain Unchanged
The government is not currently planning to reduce the overall number of international students through the new measure. Instead, the focus is on limiting the number of accompanying family members entering Australia on student-related visas.
Last financial year, Australia granted 337,427 student visas, including 45,991 secondary applicants classified as dependants or family members.
The proposed change could therefore significantly alter the number of people entering Australia through the student visa pathway without directly reducing the student intake.
Migration Target of 225,000 by 2028
The reforms are designed to help the government reduce net overseas migration from around 300,000 currently to 225,000 by 2028.
The government is also looking at measures to reduce the number of temporary migrants who remain in Australia after their visas expire, as well as limiting the ability of migrants to move between different visa categories to extend their stay.
The number of temporary visa holders in Australia has risen to around three million, making temporary migration a major focus of the government’s strategy.
More Changes to Temporary Visas
The proposed family restrictions are expected to form part of a wider package affecting temporary migrants.
The government has already slowed or paused processing of some working holiday-maker applications and changed the priority given to skilled visa applications lodged from overseas.
Under the revised processing arrangements, some offshore skilled visa applicants have been pushed towards the back of the queue, significantly increasing potential waiting times.
Government Turns to Regulation
The Albanese government had hoped to secure parliamentary support for legislation containing stronger migration controls, but negotiations with the opposition have stalled.
Burke has indicated that legislation would have been preferable, but the government can still use existing regulatory powers to change visa conditions and application processes.
The full details of the measures are expected to be outlined by Burke at the National Press Club in Canberra.
Summary
Australia is preparing to effectively prevent international students from bringing partners and children while studying, as part of a broader effort to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028. Student numbers are expected to remain unchanged, while tighter temporary visa rules will target family migration, visa switching and overstays.
