Australia tightens visa rules for foreign students, holidaymakers
Australia has introduced new migration rules that restrict international students from bringing family members, though students from ASEAN and Pacific nations are exempt. The policy aims to reduce total migration numbers while prioritizing skilled workers in specific industries.
Why it matters
These changes reflect a broader global trend of tightening immigration policies to manage housing and labor market pressures.
International students in Australia will no longer be able to bring their family members with them under Australia’s new rules to curb migration, but students from ASEAN are exempt.
Listen Summarise Students from ASEAN and Pacific states are exempted from Australia's new migration rules which ban most international students from bringing family members with them. The Australia government plans to reduce total migration to 245,000 by mid-2027, targeting visa hopping and tightening working holiday visas. Australia's skilled visa programme will prioritise those who have skills in construction, agriculture, fisheries, mining and teaching. AI generated
SYDNEY – Migration curbs announced by Australia’s ruling Labor Party on Sept 17 will target international students and working holidaymakers, but a new ban on foreign students bringing family members to the country will not apply to those from ASEAN nations including Singapore.
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