Labor's long-awaited migration overhaul targets temporary visas
Labor will tighten rules for temporary migrants bringing family members, switching visas and extending their stays as it seeks to cut net overseas migration.
Labor's long-awaited migration overhaul aims to tighten temporary visa rules in order to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will announce the details of these changes during a National Press Club address on Thursday. The government is pursuing regulatory changes, such as altering visa conditions and application processes, as they were unable to reach an agreement with the Coalition on stronger legislation.
The policy will include an effective ban on international students bringing family members to Australia, though international student numbers themselves will not be impacted. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor discussed potential reforms, but Coalition demands, including stricter restrictions on asylum seekers and linking migration to housing, ultimately stalled the legislative process.
Despite the lack of legislative action, Burke emphasized that the government still holds levers to manage migration through regulation. Recent changes to the system, such as delaying or slowing down the processing of working holiday visas and prioritizing skilled visas, have led to longer wait times for visa applications. Critics, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, argue that these measures could negatively impact regional Australia by depriving it of labor and tourists.
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