Australia Migration Changes 2026: What Burke’s New Rules Mean for Students and Families
On 17 September 2026, Immigration Minister Tony Burke used his National Press Club address to announce the biggest Australia migration changes of 2026. The reforms affect the points test, student visas, the Temporary Graduate visa, visitor visas, and protection claims. This article explains each change in plain terms, who is affected, and who is not. Many of these measures are still proposals. Some details and start dates will be confirmed later. This guide covers what the government has announced so far, based on Tony Burke’s National Press Club address and official statements. Last updated: September 2026 What Tony Burke Announced Tony Burke delivered his speech under the title “The work of managing the migration program: who arrives, who stays, who leaves.” The central goal is clear. The government wants to reduce net overseas migration from about 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028. To reach that target, the government will adjust several visa settings at once. Burke said the government prefers to pass new legislation, but it will use ministerial powers where legislation is blocked. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will manage the changes. The numbers show why students are a focus. In the 2025 financial year, Australia approved 337,427 student visas and 45,991 secondary applicants, meaning family members of primary visa holders. Points Test Reform: Trade Skills Get a Boost The government will reform the points test that ranks candidates for skilled migration to Australia. The main change rewards trade skills more heavily than before. At present, a university degree earns more points than a trade qualification. Under the reform, the government plans to narrow that gap for priority occupations such as construction and housing trades. This is a relative uplift for trades, not full equality with degrees. The government has not yet confirmed the exact new point values. The government also plans to speed up skills assessments for trades workers, with additional funding reported at AUD 85.2 million. The full detail will appear when the government releases the points test reform. If you plan to apply through a trade occupation, watch for the final scoring rules before you lodge. Ready to check your options? Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia to review how these changes affect your visa plan. Student Visa and 485 Graduate Visa: Family Rules Tighten This is the change that affects the most people. New applicants for a student visa to Australia can no longer include family members in the same application. The same rule applies to the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). Important: this rule targets new applications only. If you already hold a student visa or a Subclass 485 visa, and your family is already in Australia or already approved, the new rules do not separate you. Some applicants are exempt. Higher degree research students, meaning PhD candidates, are expected to keep the right to bring dependents. The government has signalled that further exemption categories will be confirmed, and it may introduce a separate expression of interest process for family members. These details are not final yet. The message for future students is direct. If you plan to study in Australia, expect to travel without your family under the new settings, unless you fall within an exemption. Visitor Visas: A New “No Further Stay” Condition The government will apply a “no further stay” condition to the Australian visitor visa (Subclass 600). This condition is known as condition 8503. A “no further stay” condition stops the visa holder from applying for most other visas while in Australia. The government wants to stop people who enter on a tourist visa and then apply onshore for another visa, such as a partner visa. You can review the official rule for the “no further stay” condition (8503) on the DHA website. Protection applications remain exempt from this condition. A person who needs to claim protection can still do so. Protection Visa Claims: Changes Ahead The government also plans to address protection visa claims that it views as disingenuous. About 1,580 onshore protection claims are lodged each month, and roughly 90 percent are rejected. The government is considering removing work rights from temporary migrants whose protection claims are rejected. Burke did not clarify the full detail of these changes on the day of the speech. More information is expected later, so treat this area as unconfirmed for now. Who Is Affected and Who Is Not The table below summarises the impact. For the current settings on each visa, see the full Australian visa list and fees. Group Impact New student and 485 applicants Cannot include family in the application Existing student and 485 visa holders Not affected; families already approved are safe PhD (higher degree research) students Expected to keep the right to bring dependents Trade occupation applicants Likely to gain points under the reform Visitor visa applicants Will receive a “no further stay” condition Rejected protection claimants May lose work rights How RACC Indonesia Can Help You These changes shift the plan for many students, graduates, and skilled workers. The right visa strategy now depends on your occupation, your study level, and your timing. RACC Indonesia’s consultants are registered migration agents (MARA-registered), and they follow every DHA update as it is released. We can review your case, confirm which rules apply to you, and map a clear migration and study pathway. To start, book a consultation with RACC Indonesia. This article is general information only. Migration rules change often, and some of these measures are not final. For advice on your specific situation, speak with a MARA-registered migration agent. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can international students still bring their family to Australia in 2026? Under the new rules, most new student visa applicants cannot include family members in the same application. Certain groups are exempt, including higher degree research (PhD) students. The government may introduce a separate process for family later. Existing visa holders are not affected. Do the new student visa family rules affect people who already have a visa? No. The changes apply to new
