Australia Slashes Migration Caps: Visa Hoppers and International Students to Face Stricter Rules

Australia has announced sweeping changes to target international students, backpackers and so-called ‘visa hoppers’ under stricter immigration rules aimed at curbing net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke reportedly revealed the policy shift on Thursday, stating that while immigration remained a national strength, authorities required a ‘high level of control.’

The announcement reportedly arrives as fresh Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the national population grew by 1.4% to 27.9 million in the 12 months to March 2026, driven by a net overseas migration of 292,100. Rising living costs, housing pressures and strain on public infrastructure have kept migration at the center of domestic political debate.

Student Visas and Family Restrictions

Under the updated framework, foreign students will generally lose the right to bring family members with them. Burke reportedly stated the government would stop adding to the stock of students automatically bringing dependents, though exemptions apply to current students, applicants from the Pacific and South East Asian nations, and PhD candidates.

The government is also clamping down on ‘visa hopping,’ where individuals finish a course and apply for another lower qualification, often through less legitimate providers. Students will only be permitted to extend their stay if they transition to a higher qualification, such as moving from a bachelor's degree to a master's.

Changes to Working Holiday Visas

Working holiday visas for individuals aged 18 to 30 face tightened caps through a new ballot system.

Previously, backpackers had to complete three months of regional work for a second-year extension and six months for a third year. Under the revised terms, those qualifying for a second year must enter a ballot capped at 45,000, down from 57,000 last year. The third-year ballot is restricted to 5,000, falling sharply from 31,000 qualified applicants previously.

Political Backlash and Industry Concerns

The policy adjustments arrive amid intense political friction over population management. The populist right-wing One Nation party recently proposed slashing temporary migrant visas by 750,000 over three years and capping net overseas immigration at 130,000. Burke criticized the proposal, arguing it risks damaging parts of the Australian economy.

Wider policy adjustments introduced in July already prioritize onshore family and permanent skilled visa applications over offshore submissions, alongside paused working holiday applications from 24 countries excluding the UK.

Civil society groups have reportedly questioned the long-term impact of the strategy. Violet Roumeliotis of Settlement Services International warned that the migration debate is increasingly driven by short-term politics, arguing that curbs on student family visas will undermine Australia's ability to compete for future global talent.