International students, so-called “visa hoppers,” and backpackers will be targeted under stricter rules announced by Australia on Thursday in a bid to curb immigration.
Foreign students will no longer be able to bring their families with them, and those who want to extend their stay must choose a higher qualification. Rules will also be stricter for working holiday visas, with a ballot system introduced. However, these changes will not affect the UK.
The New Rules
The new rules were revealed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who said that while immigration was a “strength” of Australia, there needed to be a “high level of control.”
For international student and graduate visas, Burke said: “We will no longer be adding to the stock of students automatically being able to bring family members over.”
Exemptions will apply to foreign students already in Australia and applicants from Pacific and South East Asian countries. PhD students will also be able to bring their families.
Visa Hopping Crackdown
On student visas, Burke said the government would clamp down on “visa hopping” — where a student finishes a course, then applies to do another course, often a lower qualification and sometimes with a “not so legitimate provider.”
Students who want to go “up the scale” will be allowed, for example, if a student finishes a bachelor’s degree and then wants to complete a master’s.
Backpacker Ballot
Major changes are coming to working holiday visas for those aged 18 to 30, who can work in Australia for 12 months and extend for a second and third year.
Currently, these visa holders must work for three months in regional Australia during their first year to qualify for a second year, and then six months to qualify for a third. Under the new changes, those who qualify for a second year will have to go into a ballot with a cap of 45,000, down from the 57,000 who qualified last year. For the third year, the ballot will be limited to 5,000, down from 31,000.
British working holidaymakers will not be affected due to the UK’s free trade agreement with Australia.
The Migration Debate
New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed Australia’s population grew 1.4% in the 12 months to March 2026, to 27.9 million. That included a net overseas migration of 292,100.
Migration remains a major political issue as debate around Australia’s population grows amid rising living costs, housing affordability, and increased strain on public services.
One Nation, a populist right-wing party known for its anti-immigration stance, detailed its migration policy this week, proposing to cut temporary migrant visas by 750,000 over three years and cap net overseas immigration at 130,000. Burke said such a proposal would risk “smashing parts of the Australian economy.”
The Bottom Line
Australia has announced stricter visa rules for international students, “visa hoppers,” and backpackers. Students can no longer bring family members, and working holiday visas will be capped through a ballot system. The government aims to bring net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028. Migration remains a major political issue, with rising costs and housing affordability driving the debate.
My Opinion
Australia is right to want control over its borders. Every country has that right. But there is a difference between control and cruelty. International students bring billions of dollars into the Australian economy. They fill skill shortages. They enrich campuses and communities. Telling them they cannot bring their families — while still taking their tuition money — sends a message that they are welcome as cash machines but not as human beings.
The ballot system for backpackers is equally short-sighted. Farmers rely on working holidaymakers to pick crops. Pubs and restaurants rely on them to staff kitchens. Cutting their numbers without a plan to fill those gaps will hurt the very industries that keep rural Australia running.
Immigration is a strength. Tony Burke said so himself. But strength requires confidence, not fear. The government should be honest about what it wants: fewer migrants or better-managed migration. Right now, it is sending a confusing message to the world. And the world is watching
