Australia is set to introduce stricter rules for international students, with most foreign students expected to lose the ability to bring their partners and children with them while studying in the country.
The changes, announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, form part of a broader effort by the Australian government to reduce temporary migration and bring net migration closer to pre-pandemic levels. The reforms are expected to lower annual net migration to around 225,000 by 2028, compared with approximately 300,000 currently.
Under the proposed student visa changes, secondary applicants, including spouses, partners and children, will generally not be permitted to accompany international students. Exceptions will apply to some students from Pacific Island nations and Southeast Asia.
The move represents a significant change for international students who have traditionally been able to bring immediate family members to Australia under certain student visa arrangements. Partners of international students can currently work in Australia, although their permitted working hours depend on the student’s course of study.
The government will also tighten rules surrounding student visa renewals. International students will generally be allowed to renew their student visas only when progressing to a higher level of qualification.
The reforms come as Australia continues to review its international education and temporary migration systems following a sharp increase in migration after the country reopened its borders in February 2022. International students, backpackers and temporary workers contributed significantly to the rise.
Despite the proposed restrictions, international education remains a major contributor to Australia’s economy. The sector generated A$53.6 billion in the year to June 2025, making education Australia’s fourth-largest export.
Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy has expressed concern that continued restrictions could affect Australia’s international education reputation and student confidence. He argued that policy changes were gradually undermining confidence in a sector that has become an important national asset.
Australia has already introduced several measures affecting international students. Student visa application fees have increased substantially over the past four years, while English-language requirements and financial thresholds for certain graduate visa applicants have also been strengthened.
The latest reforms extend beyond international education. The government plans to introduce a ballot system for backpackers seeking to extend working holiday visas and require visitor visas to carry a “no further stay” provision, preventing holders from remaining in Australia while seeking to switch to another visa category.
Authorities will also strengthen enforcement against visa overstayers by recruiting 100 additional compliance officers and examining the possible use of a former pandemic quarantine facility in Melbourne for immigration detention.
Burke rejected suggestions that the measures were introduced in response to the rising political influence of the One Nation party, which has called for a major reduction in temporary migration.
Australia’s net overseas migration reached 306,000 in the year to June 2025, according to the figures cited in the announcement, down considerably from a peak of 518,000 in 2023. International students accounted for more than half of the latest net migration figure.
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For prospective international students, the changes could make studying in Australia more complicated for those planning to relocate with families. The new restrictions are likely to make visa planning, qualification progression and long-term study pathways increasingly important considerations for students choosing Australia as an international education destination.
