Australia moves to tighten family visas for students

Australia is moving to restrict international students from bringing their spouses, partners and children to the country, as the government prepares further measures to reduce temporary migration.

The proposed changes are also expected to introduce new restrictions on visa switching by temporary migrants.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is scheduled to deliver a major speech on migration policy at the National Press Club on Thursday, with Australian media reporting details of the proposed changes ahead of his address.

Target to cut migration

The Australian government is preparing to set a target of reducing net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028, from about 300,000 currently.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Burke is expected to outline the changes in greater detail in his speech.

Family access for students to be tightened

Under current rules, spouses and partners of international students can work in Australia subject to certain conditions, with permitted working hours varying according to the student’s course of study.

International students can also bring dependent children under the age of 18 to Australia.

The proposed rules would significantly change these arrangements, according to Australian media reports.

Growing political pressure

The government’s move comes amid growing calls to reduce migration.

The right-wing One Nation party this week proposed cutting the number of temporary migrants by 750,000 over the next three years.

The party said the move would create “breathing space” for Australians. It also proposed reducing net overseas migration to 130,000 a year after the initial three-year period, with the programme to be reviewed annually.

Students and temporary migrants

International students, backpackers and temporary skilled workers account for a large share of Australia’s migration inflows.

Migration increased sharply after Australia lifted coronavirus-related border restrictions in February 2022, following almost two years of controls.

The number has, however, been declining over the past two years.

Critics have argued that high levels of migration are increasing pressure on housing and infrastructure and affecting social cohesion.

Government data show that net overseas migration stood at 306,000 in the year to June 30, 2025. More than half of the migrants were international students.

Net migration stood at 429,000 in 2024, while it reached a record 518,000 in 2023.