Australia to bar foreign students from bringing partners, children while they study - Reuters

Australia will prohibit foreign students from bringing their partners or dependent children to the country while they study, and will tighten rules governing temporary migrants who wish to change visas. The policy change is set to be announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke during a speech at the National Press Club.

Under the current system, spouses and partners of international students are allowed to work in Australia, with the permitted number of work hours varying according to the student’s course of study. Students may also bring dependent children under the age of 18. The new measures will remove the ability for these family members to accompany students for the duration of their studies.

The announcement is part of a broader effort to reduce net overseas migration. The government plans to lower the net overseas migration target to 225,000 by 2028, down from roughly 300,000 in recent years. This adjustment is intended to manage population growth and address concerns about housing and infrastructure pressures.

The policy shift follows calls from the hard‑right One Nation party to cut the number of temporary migrants by 750,000 over three years, with a longer‑term goal of limiting net overseas migration to about 130,000 after that period. One Nation has framed its approach as “Australia first” and has suggested that the migration program be reviewed annually.

Burke’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the specific details of the new restrictions or the broader migration targets. The government has not indicated an exact date when the new rules will take effect, but they are expected to be implemented shortly after the minister’s speech.

The changes will affect thousands of international students currently enrolled in Australian institutions, as well as prospective students who may need to reconsider family arrangements while studying in the country.