Australia announces new visa rules for foreign students, skilled workers, tourists

Australia has introduced new visa rules targeting international students, skilled workers, tourists, and Working Holiday Makers. These changes aim to reduce net overseas migration, with the government targeting a Net Overseas Migration (NOM) of 245,000 for the current financial year, and 225,000 by 2027-2028. The new policies affect visa switching, skilled migration occupations, second and third Working Holiday visas, and visitor visa applications.

International students will face stricter requirements when seeking additional Student visas within Australia. They will now need to enter a ballot system for second- and third-year Working Holiday visas after completing regional work. The number of second-year visas will be capped at 45,000 annually, and third-year visas at 5,000. Processing times for Working Holiday Maker applications will stabilize at about three months.

Visitors on Visitor visas will be subject to a "No Further Stay" condition, limiting their ability to switch to another visa while in Australia. Exceptional circumstances would be required to apply for another visa onshore. The government will increase enforcement against visa overstayers and migration agents who knowingly process meritless applications. These measures were announced earlier this year, with further changes expected over the next year.

The new policies also expand the sectors prioritized for skilled visa processing, including resources, agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing. Construction skills will receive particular attention to address labor shortages affecting housing supply. International students seeking another Student visa will face tighter requirements, and second- and third-year Working Holiday visas will be limited. Processing times for these applications will be stabilized.