Australia curbs student visa transfers to lower migration

The Australian government has tightened regulations for international students, restricting course transfers in an effort to curb what it terms "permanently temporary" migration. Under the new rules, students must apply for a separate visa to change programs, and transfers are prohibited within the first 12 months of a course. These measures aim to reduce net overseas migration from approximately 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028.

Targeting Migration Facilitators

Additional reforms are targeting migration agents and legal practitioners involved in facilitating baseless visa applications. New rules will prevent agents from submitting applications that lack a reasonable factual or legal foundation. The government also plans to initiate consultations to hold legal professionals accountable for misconduct, including coaching applicants to provide false information for protection claims.

Executive Action Bypasses Legislative Hurdles

These policy shifts are being implemented through executive action due to a lack of legislative support from opposition parties. The government plans to further tighten requirements by July 2027, ensuring that student visas cannot be extended during course transfers. These actions are part of a broader strategy to mitigate the volume of individuals on bridging visas and to restore public confidence in the migration framework.