Australia just changed its visa rules. So what about its bespoke Hong Kong pathway?

The Australian government has introduced new visa rules that prohibit international students from bringing their families along on student or temporary graduate visas, according to the country’s home affairs authorities. This development has raised concerns among Hong Kong citizens, particularly those who had hoped to bring their families while studying in Australia before applying for temporary graduate visas to settle permanently.

Tony Burke, the minister for home affairs and immigration, clarified that the government would not forcibly separate families already residing in Australia. However, exemptions remain for certain countries, including the Pacific and ASEAN nations, as well as students pursuing certain courses like PhD programs. The new rules, applicable to all student and temporary graduate visa holders, both onshore and offshore, will not allow family members to apply for these visas as secondary applicants after the main applicant has been granted a visa.

Notably, Australia issued 11,594 student visas and 1,354 dependant visas to Hongkongers between July 2022 and June 2026, a significant decrease from previous years. While some experts suggest that the new policy may not significantly deter students from choosing Australia for higher education due to other considerations such as university rankings, career outlook, and the quality of teaching, community leaders have expressed hope for exemptions to be granted to those who have already brought their families to Australia.