Australia's visa rules updates, 17th September 2026: What students need to know

Update (as of 2nd October, 2026): International students will no longer be able to take their dependants to Australia (with PhD students, students from ASEAN & Pacific Islands, students receiving foreign government scholarship, and students sponsored by DFAT or Defence as exceptions), and will only be able to move up the qualification level.

BREAKING: Massive changes may be coming to Australia's visa rules, according to a press conference by Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs of Australia:

Australian government is bringing huge changes to visa rules. International students, their family members, and backpackers may be affected. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into why these visa rule changes may be happening, which visas may be affected, and what the next steps could be. So, let’s get started.

NOTE: The Australian visa rules has not been implemented yet (with the exception of student dependant visa rule change). This blog discusses possible future scenarios, not the actual future. So, individuals should keep that in mind.

This blog was updated on 2nd October, 2026.

According to Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs of Australia, the government is simply cracking down on what they call “visa hopping” and “rogue migration agents”. He stated visa hopping is a “genuine problem” and that temporary visa holders gaming the system will be detained and deported. 

He addressed the claim that Australia is home to “mass migration” as “absurd”. He emphasised that the government will meet the net overseas immigration (NOI) target of 225,000 by 2028.

He also said that he doesn’t view Australia as a melting pot, but as an “orchestra”. Various sectors/people work together “in harmony”. This seems to imply that the government is putting things in order, where they need to be.

He emphasised that immigration is not the primary cause of the housing crisis but can help, with the government focusing on skilled migrants in construction, education, and healthcare.

He added, “These reforms are not as comprehensive as I would like them to be”. The government is making these changes to pass them as legislation, as Australia has a demand-driven system.

According to Mr Burke, the new visa rules affect international students in two ways. Namely:

1) As of 2nd October 2026, international students will not be able to take dependents to Australia; the exemption applies to PhD students, students from ASEAN & Pacific Islands, students receiving foreign government scholarship, and students sponsored by DFAT or Defence.

So, students from countries other than Pacific Islands or ASEAN nations (except PhD students) may not be able to bring dependants.

This visa rule change doesn't affect students who have already brought their dependants to Australia, according to Mr Burke. It will only affect students who apply after this change is legislated.

Note: The factsheet released by Department of Home Affairs does not exempt Master's by Research students.

Where,

2) International students studying any AQF-level courses will be allowed to move “only up the qualification scale”.

For example, students at AQF level 6 must move to AQF level 7+ only, not AQF level 6 or below.

According to AQF.org, the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy guide for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system. It defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the senior secondary education, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education systems. Its categories include:

• AQF Level 1 – Certificate I
• AQF Level 2 – Certificate II
• AQF Level 3 – Certificate III
• AQF Level 4 – Certificate IV
• AQF Level 5 – Diploma
• AQF Level 6 - Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
• AQF Level 7 – Vocational Degree, Bachelor Degree
• AQF Level 8 – Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
• AQF Level 9 – Masters Degree
• AQF Level 10 – Doctoral Degree

Second- and third-year backpackers, i.e., working holiday visa holders, will have to pass the “ballot system”, according to Mr. Burke. Only 45,000 second-year WHVs and only 5000 third-year WHVs will be granted.

Currently, individuals are automatically qualified for second- and third-year WHVs after meeting the requirements. But if the change becomes law, fulfilment of requirements will only put them in a ballot system. If they get selected, only then will their visa be assessed.

He also said that processing time for working holiday visas will be delayed as the government focuses on other important sectors such as construction, healthcare and education.

All future visitor visas will have a “No Further Stay” condition, according to Mr. Burke.

Once the legislation becomes law:

• First, visa holders before the policy change will not be affected.
• Second, future visa holders (applicants applying after the change) must leave Australia when their visa expires.

This means future visa holders may not be allowed to extend their stay in Australia. To apply for a visa extension or an entirely different visa, they must first leave Australia.

According to Mr Burke, visa overstayers will be detained and made to leave Australia. He said the government will toughen up compliance with visa rules.

He emphasised that this is not the same as in other nations, but rather just reverting to how it was in 2015.

If implemented, this immigration policy change might make it harder for working holiday visa holders to extend their stay, make compliance tougher, and make all future visitor visas attach the "No Further Stay" condition. International students will not be able to take dependants to Australia (with exceptions), and will be required to study “only up the qualification scale”.

Note: Not all of the rule changes have been implemented yet.

So, individuals should stay up to date and, when it is rolled out, can seek guidance from experts in this field.

Navigating such changes in visa rules can be complex. That is why students should seek counselling from experts like Search Education. We are ethical consultants with an amazing track record of integrity and honesty. We have over 10 years of experience guiding students and making the process hassle-free. We offer complete guidance on career counselling, program & university selection, entry requirements, costs & scholarships guidance, visa lodgement, interview prep, and, of course, pre-departure consultation. So, feel free to reach out to us.

• https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/migration-reform-end-rorts-bring-skills-australia-needs-strong-economy.aspx
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPBpCRX0qo
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/changes-to-student-visa-applications-factsheet.pdf