Australia moves to restrict family visas for international students

Australia is set to tighten immigration rules for international students, potentially limiting the ability of foreign students to bring family members into the country. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Labor government to reduce net overseas migration and increase control over the flow of people entering and leaving the nation.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke plans to announce these measures on September 17, 2026, at the National Press Club in Canberra. The government aims to reduce net overseas migration from around 305,000 to approximately 225,000 over a two-year period. Burke emphasized the need to balance migration reduction with economic support.

The proposed changes could restrict family visas for higher-degree research students, Pacific islanders, East Timorese, foreign government scholarship recipients, and those sponsored by Australian government departments. Additionally, the government is considering measures to reduce visa overstays and limit the ability of expired visa holders to transition to other visa categories, which may result in some migrants needing to leave Australia sooner.