Australia’s migration policy is entering a new phase.
On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced changes covering net overseas migration, skilled visa processing, student visas, visitor visas and Working Holiday Maker arrangements.
Some measures are policy changes.
Some still require implementation.
Two proposals require legislation. They are not law yet.
This guide explains what was announced, what the 245,000 figure means, and what applicants, students and employers should do next.
What Was Announced on 17 September 2026
The announcement focused on five broad areas:
- Meeting the Government’s net overseas migration forecasts.
- Prioritising skilled visa processing in key sectors.
- Tightening student visa and course-transfer rules.
- Introducing ballots for some second- and third-year Working Holiday stays.
- Increasing compliance activity against overstayers and non-meritorious applications.
The announcement does not mean that every visa requirement has changed immediately.
Implementation instructions, legislative changes and administrative updates may follow.
Applicants should check the Department of Home Affairs before acting.
Net Overseas Migration: What 245,000 Actually Means
The most important clarification concerns the difference between net overseas migration and the permanent migration program.
The Government’s Budget forecast is for net overseas migration, or NOM, of:
- 245,000 in the current financial year.
- 225,000 in 2027–28.
NOM is a net population measure.
It reflects people arriving in Australia and people leaving Australia over a defined period. It includes different temporary and permanent visa holders.
It is not the number of permanent visas.
It is also not a direct cut to the permanent migration program.
On 17 September 2026, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed NOM had fallen to 292,100 in the year to March 2026. That was a 47 per cent fall from the post-COVID peak recorded in 2023.
The Government says the next policy stage is designed to meet the lower forecasts. Housing pressures are a central reason for the approach.
This means temporary visa settings are receiving significant attention. Student visa holders, family members, Working Holiday Makers and overstayers are all part of the policy discussion.
Do not read 245,000 as a new permanent residency Australia quota.
The impact on a particular applicant will still depend on the visa subclass, eligibility requirements, processing priorities and applicable law.
Skilled Migration: Priority Sectors Move Up the Queue
Ministerial Direction 119 controls the order in which certain visa applications are processed.
It does not automatically grant a visa.
It does not remove the usual eligibility criteria.
The Government announced that Direction 119 will be updated to prioritise key sectors, including:
- Healthcare.
- Construction.
- Education and teaching.
- Law enforcement.
- Defence.
- Resources.
- Agriculture.
- Aquaculture.
- Fishing.
The practical effect is expected to be faster processing attention for applications connected with these sectors. Other applications may wait longer where they fall outside the priority settings.
The exact operation will depend on the updated direction and any supporting Department of Home Affairs instructions.
Read our earlier analysis of Ministerial Direction 119 and its processing priorities.
This is relevant to applicants considering Australian skilled migration, employer sponsorship and permanent pathways. It may also matter to employers recruiting workers in construction, healthcare, education, resources and regional industries.
Priority processing does not replace eligibility.
Applicants still need to meet the requirements for their visa subclass, nomination, skills assessment, English evidence and health and character checks where applicable.
Need help reviewing your position? Book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus.
Student Visa Changes
The student visa changes target family members, course transfers and what the Government describes as “visa hopping”.
Family members
Most future students will face restrictions on bringing secondary applicants, such as partners or children, on student visas.
Existing families already in Australia will not be separated under the announcement.
Exceptions will continue for PhD students and some Pacific and ASEAN nationals.
The precise operation of the exceptions will depend on the final rules and implementation guidance.
These changes are not retrospective.
They are intended to apply to future students rather than rewrite the position of families already in Australia.
Course transfers and visa hopping
Students transferring courses will need to apply for a new visa.
Graduates will generally only be able to move to a course at a higher qualification level. For example, a student may progress from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree.
This is intended to reduce repeated course changes and serial temporary stays that do not reflect a genuine education pathway.
Students should not assume that a new enrolment automatically gives them a lawful basis to remain in Australia.
Check the visa conditions and current Department requirements before changing courses.
Student visa Australia requirements may change as the Government implements this package. A university offer, enrolment confirmation or education pathway does not itself guarantee visa approval.
Working Holiday Makers: The New Ballot
The Government announced a ballot system for some second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker stays where regional work is required.
For the second year:
- The cap will be 45,000 places.
- Applicants must complete 88 days of regional work before entering the ballot.
For the third year:
- The cap will be 5,000 places.
- A six-month regional work requirement will apply.
The announced figures are significantly below the previous approximate numbers of 57,000 second-year stays and 31,000 third-year stays.
UK citizens are excluded from the faster processing arrangement and remain exempt from regional work requirements under the relevant free trade agreement.
The Government also announced that Working Holiday Maker processing times will be stabilised at three months.
The ballot arrangements will need to be implemented. Applicants should confirm opening dates, eligible countries, evidence requirements and application procedures through official channels.
Visitor Visas and the No Further Stay Condition
A No Further Stay condition will be introduced on all visitor visas.
The stated purpose is to ensure visitor visas are used by genuine visitors. They should not become a pathway for extending a stay or moving between temporary visa categories.
This is an announced policy change.
The practical effect will depend on how the condition is applied to future visitor visas and whether further instructions are published.
Visitors should follow their visa conditions carefully.
Do not assume that entering Australia as a visitor creates a reliable pathway to a student, skilled or other temporary visa.
Integrity and Compliance: Agents, Overstayers and Detention
The Government also announced stronger compliance measures.
Migration agent conduct
The code governing migration agents will be changed so agents can be sanctioned or deregistered for knowingly encouraging clients to lodge applications without merit.
Applicants should be cautious of anyone promising approval or recommending an application that lacks a proper legal basis.
Use a registered migration agent for Australian migration advice. If you are comparing a migration agent Adelaide, migration agent Australia or immigration lawyer Adelaide, verify the person’s current credentials and scope of service.
Overstayers and compliance
The Government announced:
- 100 additional compliance officers.
- 250 new detention beds.
- Tougher sanctions for visa overstayers.
The Government estimates that about 77,000 people are overstaying their visas.
It is also examining whether a former quarantine facility in Melbourne could be repurposed.
Visa holders should check their expiry dates and conditions. If a problem has already occurred, obtain advice quickly.
Do not ignore correspondence from the Department.
What Is Not Law Yet
Two parts of the announcement require legislation.
1. Expression of interest controls for student arrivals
The Government proposed an expression of interest mechanism to control student arrivals.
This is a proposal.
It is not current law unless legislation is passed and commenced.
2. Measures targeting disingenuous protection visa claims
The Government also proposed measures aimed at protection visa claims it considers disingenuous.
These measures require legislation.
Negotiations with the Opposition had broken down before the announcement. The proposals may not pass the Senate.
Do not treat either proposal as an existing visa rule.
Check the Department of Home Affairs and official legislative sources for updates.
What This Means If You Are Planning to Migrate
Skilled applicants
Review your occupation and likely processing priority.
Applicants in healthcare, construction, teaching, law enforcement, defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing may receive priority attention once the updated arrangements are implemented.
That does not guarantee a visa or a particular processing time.
Students
Plan your course pathway carefully.
Do not change courses without checking whether a new visa is required. Students with partners or children should also review the future secondary applicant rules before making financial or travel commitments.
Working Holiday Makers
Complete the required regional work and keep strong evidence.
A completed work requirement may allow entry into a ballot. It does not guarantee a place.
Employers
Employers in priority sectors should review recruitment and sponsorship plans.
Construction, healthcare, teaching, resources and regional employers may need to consider how the updated processing priorities affect workforce planning.
This may be relevant to employer-sponsored visas and recruitment from overseas.
State-nominated applicants
The federal announcement does not replace state or territory nomination rules.
People considering South Australia skilled migration, SA 190 nomination, SA 491, the subclass 190 visa, the subclass 491 visa or the skilled work regional visa 491 must still check current state requirements.
The State Nomination Occupation List and nomination settings can change separately from federal policy.
How Skillage Nimbus Can Help
Skillage Nimbus provides migration and education guidance for Australia and New Zealand.
Ashish Thapa is:
- A Registered Migration Agent in Australia: MARN 2217972.
- A Licensed Immigration Adviser in New Zealand: IAA 202503676.
Support may include:
- Visa pathway assessment.
- Skilled migration planning.
- Employer-sponsored visa strategy.
- Student visa and course pathway review.
- Application preparation and document checking.
- Refusal and review guidance.
- New Zealand immigration advice.
For direct assistance, call the 24/7 line: +61 8 9131 6011.
If the September announcement affects your plans, book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus.
Learn More
The policy package is broad.
Your next step should be specific.
Check your visa status. Review your pathway. Confirm the current rules. Then obtain advice before lodging or changing course.
Book a migration consultation with Skillage Nimbus
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Government announce on 17 September 2026?
The Government announced changes involving net overseas migration targets, skilled processing priorities, student visa restrictions, Working Holiday Maker ballots, visitor visa conditions and stronger compliance measures.
Is the 245,000 figure a cut to the permanent migration program?
No. The figure is a net overseas migration forecast. NOM is a net population measure. It is not the number of permanent visas and should not be described as a direct cut to the permanent migration program.
Which occupations get priority processing now?
The announced priority sectors include healthcare, construction, education and teaching, law enforcement, defence, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing. The updated processing direction and implementation details should be checked when published.
Can international students still bring their family to Australia?
Most future students will face restrictions on secondary applicants. Exceptions will continue for PhD students and some Pacific and ASEAN nationals. Existing families already in Australia will not be separated under the announcement.
How does the Working Holiday ballot work?
Applicants for a second-year stay must complete 88 days of regional work before entering the ballot. The second-year cap is 45,000 places. Third-year applicants face a six-month regional work requirement and a cap of 5,000 places. Implementation details should be confirmed through official sources.
Do the visitor visa changes affect me?
A No Further Stay condition will be introduced on all visitor visas. The policy is intended to prevent visitor visas being used to extend stays or change to another pathway. Check your visa grant notice and current Department guidance.
This article provides general information only. It is not migration advice or legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before making decisions. Migration policy, legislation, visa conditions and processing arrangements can change.