Why Australia is tightening student and backpacker visas – and who will be affected

Australia is tightening rules for international students, backpackers and other temporary visa holders as the government seeks to bring down net overseas migration and ease pressure on housing and public services.

The changes announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke today (17 September) are aimed at reducing annual net overseas migration from around 300,000 currently to 225,000 by 2028 – roughly the level seen before the Covid-19 pandemic. The government says it also wants greater control over who enters Australia, how long temporary migrants stay and how they move between visa categories.

What is changing?

The most significant change for international students is that most new students will no longer be able to bring their partners or children with them to Australia.

There will be exemptions for students from some Pacific and Southeast Asian countries and for PhD students. Families already in Australia will not be separated under the new rules.

International students will also face tighter restrictions on changing courses simply to extend their stay. They will generally have to move up the qualification scale rather than switch to a lower-level course.

For backpackers, Australia will introduce a ballot for those seeking to extend their working holiday visas. Second-year places will be capped at 45,000, compared with about 57,000 who qualified this year, while third-year places will be capped at 5,000, down from about 31,000.

Visitor visas will also carry a "no further stay" condition designed to prevent people from remaining in Australia while applying for another type of visa.

Why is Australia doing this?

Australia experienced a sharp increase in migration after reopening its borders in 2022. Net overseas migration peaked at about 518,000 in 2023 before falling to 306,000 in the year to June 2025.

The government is now linking migration levels more closely to Australia's housing capacity. Burke has said housing pressures mean the government's migration forecasts should be treated as targets.

Cost of living and immigration have also emerged as major concerns among Australian voters. Burke, however, has rejected suggestions that the changes were introduced in response to the rising support for the anti-immigration One Nation party.

Who will be affected?

The immediate impact will fall mainly on prospective international students who want to move to Australia with a spouse or children, particularly those outside the exempt Pacific and Southeast Asian categories and those not undertaking PhD studies.

The changes are significant for countries such as India, Nepal and Bangladesh, where students commonly consider taking family members with them.

Australia's international education industry could also be affected. The sector contributed A$53.6 billion to the economy in the year to June 2025, making it the country's fourth-largest export. Universities and education-sector representatives have warned that restricting family members could make Australia less attractive to international students.

Backpackers, particularly those seeking second- or third-year working holiday visas, will face greater competition. Farmers and tourism operators have warned that fewer backpackers could create labour shortages in regional areas.

Is this part of a global trend?

Yes, although the scale and form differ from country to country. Australia is not alone in tightening rules around international students and their families. The UK restricted most international students from bringing dependents from January 2024, with exceptions including postgraduate research students.

Canada tightened eligibility for family members' open work permits from January 2025, limiting it largely to spouses of students in master's, doctoral and selected professional programmes.

So the broader trend is not simply a rejection of international students. Rather, countries are increasingly trying to control the volume of temporary migration while retaining students and skilled workers considered economically valuable.

When will the changes take effect?

The Australian government plans to implement the measures largely through existing regulatory and ministerial powers rather than waiting for new legislation. However, the government has not yet published a specific commencement date for every measure, and detailed rules for some exemptions are still to be released.

The stated destination is clear: Australia wants net overseas migration to fall to 225,000 a year by 2027-28, while continuing to attract migrants with skills the country says it needs.