International students, 'visa hoppers' and backpackers targeted in Australia migration crackdown

International students, 'visa hoppers' and backpackers targeted in Australia migration crackdown Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced stricter migration rules on Thursday aimed at reducing net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028. Under the new measures, international students will no longer be able to bring family members automatically, and those wishing to extend their stay must pursue a higher qualification. Burke stated, “We volition no longer be adding to the pool of students automatically being able to bring family members over.” Exemptions apply to students already in Australia and applicants from Pacific and Southeast Asian nations, while PhD students may still bring family members due to their different life circumstances. The minister also addressed “visa hopping,” describing it as “where a student finishes a course, then applies to do another course which is often a lower qualification and sometimes with a ‘not so genuine provider’.” Students who wish to progress “up the scale”—for example, moving from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree—will remain eligible. Changes to working holiday visas, commonly used by backpackers and a key labour source for agriculture, introduce a ballot system for second‑ and third‑year extensions. Those qualifying for a second year will enter a ballot capped at 45,000, down from 57,000 last year. For the third year, the ballot will be limited to 5,000, down from 31,000 previously. British working holidaymakers are exempt from these adjustments owing to the UK’s free‑trade agreement with Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia’s population rose 1.4% in the 12 months to March 2026, reaching 27.9 million, driven by births, deaths and a net overseas migration of 292,100. Migration remains a contentious political issue as population growth intersects with rising living costs, housing affordability and pressure on public services. One Nation, a populist right‑wing party that gained its first lower‑house seat in May, unveiled a policy earlier this week to cut temporary migrant visas by 750,000 over three years and cap net overseas migration at 130,000. Burke rebuked the proposal, warning it would risk “smashing parts of the Australian economy.” In July the government prioritised onshore family‑visa applications over those lodged overseas and gave precedence to skilled migrants already in Australia seeking permanent residency. It also suspended working‑holiday visa applications from 24 countries, excluding the UK. Violet Roumeliotis of Settlement Services International, which assists newcomers, said the migration framework is increasingly shaped by “short‑term politics rather than what is best for the country.” She added, “The projected changes to family visas for international students is simply a good illustration of this,” noting the adjustments could hinder Australia’s ability to attract future talent.