Australian Migration: Confirmed Policy Changes

updated on 21 September 2026 Key takeaways

• The government is targeting net overseas migration (NOM) of 245,000 in 2026/27 and 225,000 in 2027/28.

• The changes have begun and will roll out progressively over the next 12 months.

• Most student visas will restrict secondary applicants, and visa hopping will be stopped.

• All visitor visas will carry a No Further Stay condition.

• Working Holiday Maker years two and three move to a ballot with a regional work requirement.

• Priority skilled processing applies to healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing.

What are the 2026 Australian migration policy changes?

The 2026 migration policy changes are the next stage of the Australian Government's plan to bring net overseas migration down to Budget forecasts while keeping the skills the economy needs. They cover skilled visa processing, student visas, visitor visas, the Working Holiday Maker program, compliance and migration agent conduct. Home Affairs says the changes have started and will be phased in over 12 months.

Why is the government changing migration settings?

Everything traces back to two numbers. The Budget forecasts NOM of 245,000 this financial year and 225,000 in 2027/28. The ABS put NOM at 292,000 for the year to March, so there is still ground to cover.

The government's stated aim is to attract the skills Australia needs, support growth and productivity, and make sure migration works for Australian workers and communities. The plan does not shut migration down. It changes who comes, by which pathway, and how closely the system is policed.

The changes at a glance

Skilled migration: who gets priority under Ministerial Direction 119?

Ministerial Direction 119 governs how skilled visa applications are prioritised. The update supports priority processing for healthcare, construction, education, law enforcement, defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing.

This is about queue position, not eligibility. Your occupation must still meet the requirements of the visa you apply for. But in a system with limited places and long waits, priority processing can decide how quickly a case moves. For employers in these sectors, it may also shorten the gap between sponsoring a worker and having them on site.

Student visas: what does "restricting secondary applicants" mean?

Secondary applicants are the partners and children who apply alongside the primary student. Home Affairs says these will be restricted on most student visas. The word "most" matters, because exceptions will apply to some cohorts and courses, and the detail will decide individual cases.

The government is also stopping visa hopping, which means moving between visa types onshore to extend a stay when the original purpose has ended. Anyone planning to study should treat the course as the purpose of the visa and plan the next stage properly, rather than building a strategy around switching.

Visitor visas: what is the No Further Stay condition?

A No Further Stay condition will be added to all visitor visas. It is designed to make sure they are used by genuine visitors and not as a way to extend a stay in Australia. If your goal is to live or work here, a visitor visa is the wrong starting point, and it is better to get advice on the right visa before you travel.

Working Holiday Maker changes: how will the ballot work?

For years two and three, the Working Holiday Maker program will use a ballot, with a regional work requirement in support of regional Australia. The government will also stabilise processing times for Working Holiday Maker applications at three months.

For backpackers, a further year can no longer be assumed. For regional employers in agriculture, hospitality and tourism, the regional requirement keeps the workforce pipeline pointed at the regions, but the ballot adds uncertainty about who will be available and when.

Compliance and migration agents

Two enforcement measures sit alongside the visa changes. Compliance measures will be strengthened to make sure people without valid visas leave the country. The government will also crack down on rogue migration agents who knowingly support applications without merit.

If you engage an agent, check they are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). A registered agent is bound by professional obligations. Be wary of anyone who guarantees an outcome, because nobody can.

Ministerial Direction 110

Ministerial Direction 110, which covers character related visa decisions, is being updated to better protect children who are victims of crime, better protect victims of domestic and family violence, and reflect a commitment to stamping out hatred. It is a smaller part of the package, but it signals a firmer approach to visa holders who cause harm.

When do the changes start?

Home Affairs says the changes have begun to be implemented and will be progressively rolled out over the next 12 months. Individual start dates are not all published yet. Before you lodge anything, check the department's page and the page for your specific visa, and confirm whether a change applies to new applications only.