The federal government announced a new crackdown on “visa hopping” by international students, migration agents and lawyers, as part of Labor’s broader effort to curb permanently temporary migration. The changes will require students to apply for a separate visa when transferring courses, and will prevent moves to lower‑level programs such as switching from a bachelor’s or master’s degree to a vocational course.
From 1 July 2027, a student’s visa will not be automatically extended when they change courses, and a student cannot transfer within 12 months of starting a program. These measures aim to stop students from staying on bridging visas indefinitely, a practice that has contributed to a large pool of over 400,000 people on temporary or bridging visas.
The government will also target migration agents and lawyers who facilitate baseless visa claims. New rules would ban agents who knowingly or reasonably should know that an application lacks a factual or legal basis. The Department of Home Affairs will consult on holding lawyers accountable for similar misconduct, including misleading advertising that encourages false claims of persecution or other grounds for protection.
Labor seeks to reduce net overseas migration from nearly 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028. The crackdown reflects the need to restore confidence in the migration system, according to Assistant Minister Julian Hill and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who said the reforms aim to prevent exploitation of vulnerable applicants and protect the integrity of Australia’s immigration framework.
