Australia is preparing measures that could prevent international students from bringing spouses, partners and children while studying in the country, alongside tighter restrictions on changing visa status, according to media reports. The proposed changes are expected to form part of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s wider immigration agenda as the government seeks to reduce overseas migration.

Burke is expected to announce a target of reducing net migration to 225,000 by 2028, down from around 300,000 currently, public broadcaster ABC News reported. His office had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the reported measures.

International Students Could Face Family Restrictions

Under Australia’s current student visa arrangements, international students can generally bring spouses or partners with them, while accompanying partners can work subject to restrictions depending on the student’s course. Dependent children under 18 are also permitted to accompany student visa holders.

The proposed changes would represent a significant tightening of those arrangements if implemented. The reported measures would restrict international students from bringing family members while studying and would also introduce tighter rules governing changes between visa categories.

Migration Becomes Major Political Issue

The proposed restrictions come as immigration has become an increasingly prominent political issue in Australia. The hard-right One Nation party has been calling for a substantial reduction in temporary migration and this week proposed cutting the number of temporary migrants by 750,000 over three years.

The party said Australia needed “breathing space” to address pressures on housing, infrastructure and public services. It has promoted an “Australia first” agenda and has frequently been compared with the policies of US President Donald Trump.

One Nation has also proposed reducing net overseas migration to 130,000 after the initial three-year period, subject to an annual review.

Student Migration Under Scrutiny

Australia’s migration intake increased sharply after the country reopened its borders in February 2022 following almost two years of COVID-era restrictions. International students, backpackers and temporary skilled workers accounted for a significant share of the increase.

Although migration levels have moderated over the past two years, critics continue to link high migration inflows to pressures on housing, infrastructure and public services, as well as broader concerns about social cohesion.

Official figures show net overseas migration stood at 306,000 in the year ended June 30, 2025. International students accounted for more than half of that total. Net migration had reached 429,000 in 2024 and peaked at 518,000 in 2023 before beginning to decline.

The reported student visa measures come as the government seeks to bring migration levels down further. The extent and timing of the proposed restrictions are expected to become clearer when Burke outlines the government’s immigration plans in his major speech.

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