On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced migration changes under three headings: who arrives, who stays and who leaves. The student visa rules (from 2 October) and new skilled processing priorities (from 19 September) are already in force. The new points test, the working holiday ballot and the “no further stay” condition on visitor visas have been announced but have no start date yet.
Why the Government Made These Changes
In a speech at the National Press Club, the Minister said migration remains a strength for Australia, but the Government wants more control over a system that has largely been driven by demand from employers and education providers. He pointed to three problems: housing supply, “visa hopping” by people who would never qualify to stay permanently, and growth in some temporary visa programs. He also noted that net overseas migration is now about 47% below its post-pandemic peak.
Every Change at a Glance
| Change | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New skilled processing order (Ministerial Directions 121 and 122) | Skilled and employer-sponsored applicants | In force from 19 September 2026 |
| Most people can’t apply for a Student visa onshore, and course changes must move up a level | Students and temporary visa holders in Australia | In force from 2 October 2026 |
| No family members on most new Student visas | Students, except ASEAN and Pacific citizens and other exempt groups | In force from 2 October 2026 |
| Family limits for Temporary Graduate (485) visas | Graduates | Announced, no start date |
| New points test, with housing trades scored like a university degree | 189, 190 and 491 applicants | Announced, no start date |
| Ballot for second and third working holiday visas | Working holiday makers | Announced, no start date |
| “No further stay” condition on new visitor visas | Future visitors | Announced, no start date |
| New visa needed to change education provider | Students | Announced, details still being developed |
| Tougher rules for migration agents who encourage non-genuine claims | Migration agents | Announced |
| More removals of people who overstay | People without a valid visa | Announced |
| Expression of interest system and protection reforms | Demand-driven visas, protection applicants | Needs new legislation |
Who Arrives
A New Points Test
The points test for skilled visas has been redesigned with Treasury. A new feature lets the Government give chosen skills an uplift. On the Minister’s example, a person qualified in a housing trade would get the same points as someone with a university degree. No new points table or start date has been published, so today’s points test still applies.
Skilled Visa Processing Priorities
From 19 September 2026, two new Ministerial Directions decide the order in which skilled visas are processed. Applications for jobs in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence come first. For the Skills in Demand (482) visa, the Specialist Skills stream comes next, then people who applied from inside Australia. For permanent and provisional skilled visas such as the 186, 189, 190, 491 and 494, onshore applicants come next. These directions change how fast a visa is decided, not who is eligible.
Families of Students and Graduates
Most new Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or children. ASEAN and Pacific citizens, PhD students and some sponsored students are exempt. The Government plans similar limits for the Temporary Graduate (485) visa. Families already in Australia will not be split up. Read our guide to the family rules.
Who Stays
A Ballot for Working Holiday Visas
The regional work requirements stay the same: 88 days for a second year and six months for a third. Meeting them would only get you into a ballot. The Government plans 45,000 second-year places (57,000 people qualified last year) and 5,000 third-year places (31,000 qualified last year). In return, processing for first working holiday visas from countries with a regional work requirement is expected to return to normal speed. UK applications will stay slower.
“No Further Stay” on Visitor Visas
New visitor visas would stop holders applying for most other visas while in Australia, except protection visas. The Minister said this should make it easier for genuine visitors, such as relatives coming for a wedding or the partner of someone waiting on a partner visa, to be granted a visa. It will not affect anyone already in Australia.
Student Course Changes
Moving to a new course is now allowed only up the qualification scale, for example from a bachelor degree to a master’s. Extensions to finish the same course are unchanged. Read who can still apply in Australia.
Who Leaves
The Code of Conduct for migration agents will be changed so that agents who encourage non-genuine protection claims can be sanctioned or deregistered. The Government also plans to return to the pre-2015 approach to people who overstay their visa, with 100 more compliance officers and 250 more detention beds.
What Needs Parliament
The Minister said an expression of interest system for demand-driven visas, and reforms to stop non-genuine protection claims, need new laws. At the time of the speech those laws had not been passed.
What This Means for You
- Students: the 2 October rules already apply. Check them before you change course, provider or visa.
- Skilled applicants: keep planning on the current points test, and lodge when you are ready rather than waiting for the new one.
- Working holiday makers: the ballot has no start date yet. Keep doing and recording your regional work.
- Families planning a visit: nothing has changed yet for visitor visas.
Not sure how this affects you? Talk to our registered migration agent about your situation.
Book a consultationChecked against official sources on 21 October 2026. Sources: Minister for Home Affairs: National Press Club speech, 17 September 2026 · Study Australia: Student visa changes, October 2026 update · Home Affairs: Changes to Student visa application rules
This update is general information, not legal advice. Migration law changes often, so check the official sources or speak to a registered migration agent before you make decisions.