Key facts
- Foreign students in Australia will face stricter rules on bringing family members.
- The government aims to reduce net overseas migration from about 305,000 to 225,000 over two years.
- Last year, 337,000 international student visas were issued, with 45,000 going to dependents.
- The proposed changes are designed to curb visa overstays and limit lengthy appeals.
- Business groups and universities have warned the proposed changes could harm the economy and essential services.
Australia's federal government is preparing to implement significant changes to its immigration system, with a particular focus on restricting the ability of foreign students to bring family members into the country. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is scheduled to unveil these long-awaited reforms on Thursday, aiming to reduce net overseas migration (Nom) while mitigating potential damage to the economy.
The proposed measures are designed to shift certain visa categories away from demand-driven settings, granting the government greater control over the number of people entering and leaving Australia. This move comes as support for the One Nation party surges, fueled by public concern over current immigration levels.
Last year, Australia issued over 337,000 international student visas, with approximately 45,000 of these granted to dependents. The new policy is expected to require the vast majority of student visa applicants to come to Australia alone.
The government's objective is to lower Nom from its current level of around 305,000 to approximately 225,000 over the next two years, aiming to bring it below pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels by the 2027-28 financial year. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates 568,370 overseas arrivals in the 2024-25 financial year.
Further changes are anticipated to address visa overstays, potentially requiring individuals whose visas have expired to leave the country more quickly. Efforts are also underway to reduce the number of unlawful non-citizens residing in Australia, with Home Affairs data showing 110,898 individuals awaiting deportation as of July.
These policy shifts occur amidst a backdrop of rising political pressure, with One Nation advocating for a drastic reduction in temporary migration. Business groups, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have expressed concerns that the proposed measures could negatively impact essential services and the economy by limiting access to skilled workers.