Australia Implements Stricter Student Visa Rules to Reduce Net Migration
Australia has introduced new, stricter regulations for international student visas, effective September 17. These changes primarily bar most international students from bringing partners and children with them while studying in Australia. Additionally, rules for working holiday visas have been tightened. These measures are part of a broader government initiative to significantly reduce net overseas migration from approximately 292,000 to 225,000 by the fiscal year 2027–28. This follows a recent increase in student visa application charges, which have risen from A$2,000 to A$2,500 this year, marking the third increase in two years. The government has also slightly eased its 2026 enrollment target for new students to 295,000. These policy adjustments are creating budget volatility for universities and vocational providers, as international student commencements are already tracking about 8% below projections for the current year.
