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Australia's net overseas migration target is now a path rather than a single number: about 292,000 in the year to March 2026, 245,000 for 2026-27, and 225,000 for 2027-28. That path was set out on 17 September 2026, when Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke used a National Press Club address to announce a package of migration changes.

The reporting that day by The Koala News, SBS and ABC described a package aimed at reducing net overseas migration and giving the government more control over who arrives, who stays and who leaves. This article sets out what was announced, what was left alone, and what still needs legislation.

The numbers behind the target

The 225,000 figure for 2027-28 is a planning target, not a cap written into law. SBS reported the comparison points: about 292,000 in the year to March 2026, then 245,000 for 2026-27, then 225,000 for 2027-28.

Net overseas migration is measured after arrivals and departures are netted out, so it moves with both visa grants and people leaving. A target of this kind describes the direction the government wants the total to take. It does not by itself determine how many visas are granted in any category.

As of 17 September 2026, public reports did not give commencement dates for any of the measures. Details remain subject to official Department of Home Affairs guidance.

What was announced

The package covers several separate levers. They were announced together, but they do not all operate the same way or take effect at the same time.

Family members. New international students and graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will no longer automatically be able to bring family members to Australia. Announced exceptions include Pacific and ASEAN nationals and students in certain courses, including PhDs. The full exception list is subject to official Department of Home Affairs detail.

Course progression. Student visa holders can still extend where there is a legitimate reason and can still transfer courses, but can only progress by moving up the qualification scale, for example from bachelor to master. Moving sideways or down is the practice the change targets. The stated aim is to stop students repeatedly moving between providers and qualifications when the real objective is migration rather than education, a pattern often called visa hopping.

Working Holiday Maker visas. Second and third year Working Holiday Maker visas will move to a ballot, with 45,000 places for the second year and 5,000 for the third year. SBS reported previous levels of about 57,000 and 31,000. Regional work requirements remain.

Compliance and overstayers. The government will add 100 compliance officers and 250 detention beds as it returns to a tougher approach to visa overstayers. Home Affairs estimates about 77,000 unlawful overstayers.

Skilled migration. In the skilled migration points test, construction and housing related skills will receive an uplift equivalent to the points currently associated with university qualifications. Processing priority will increase for construction, agriculture, fisheries, resources and teaching.

What stayed the same

Two things that were widely expected to move did not.

Student visa planning levels have not been changed. The number of student visa applications the government expects to process is unchanged. That is a planning figure, not a cut to student visa numbers.

Subclass 485 post-study work visa eligibility is also unchanged. According to IEAA CEO Phil Honeywood, there are no changes to subclass 485 eligibility. The government did not require transferring students to go offshore and apply for a new visa, though the concept of a new transfer visa remains to be tested.

What still depends on legislation

Not everything in the package can be delivered through existing powers. An expression of interest system for student visas and changes to the treatment of non-genuine protection claims remain dependent on legislation.

According to ABC, the government is pursuing the changes mainly through regulation, visa conditions and application processes after legislative talks with the Coalition broke down. That distinction matters for anyone tracking when a measure becomes operative: regulation, visa conditions and application processes can move without a new statute, while the expression of interest system and the protection claims changes cannot.

How to verify the current position

Because no commencement dates were given on 17 September 2026, the practical question for readers is not what was announced but what is in force now. The authoritative source for that is the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, where instrument and condition changes are published.

For context on the scale of the student stream, ABC reported that 337,427 student visas were granted last financial year, of which 45,991 went to secondary applicants, meaning accompanying family members. That figure helps explain why the family member restriction is treated as a significant lever.

Common questions

Is the 225,000 figure a cap? No. It is a planning target for net overseas migration in 2027-28, reported by SBS alongside the 245,000 figure for 2026-27 and the roughly 292,000 recorded in the year to March 2026.

Have student visa numbers been cut? No. Student visa planning levels have not been changed. The number of applications the government expects to process is unchanged.

Has subclass 485 eligibility changed? No. According to IEAA CEO Phil Honeywood, there are no changes to subclass 485 post-study work visa eligibility.

When do the measures start? Public reports as of 17 September 2026 did not give commencement dates. Details are subject to official Department of Home Affairs guidance.

What about the family member exceptions? Announced exceptions include Pacific and ASEAN nationals and students in certain courses, including PhDs. The full exception list is subject to official Department of Home Affairs detail.

Where this leaves readers

This article describes announced policy and reported figures. It does not assess whether any individual qualifies for a visa, and nothing here should be read as a promise of a visa grant, permanent residency or any other outcome. Readers with personal circumstances should consult a registered migration agent (MARA).

For official detail on commencement, conditions and instruments, the Department of Home Affairs is the source to check.

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