Here’s a glimpse of the changes that took place in 2025 and what is anticipated for 2026.

Out of the total migration places, 132,200 are designated for the skilled stream, accounting for about 71 percent, while 52,500 places, or roughly 28 percent, are reserved for the family stream, with a focus on partner visas.

The permanent migration program for 2025–26 remains steady at 185,000 spots, consistent with the settings for 2024-25. Source: SBS News

The government emphasizes that this allocation is designed to enhance Australia’s productive capacity and tackle workforce shortages, especially in regional areas.

The government says the allocation aims to boost Australia’s productive capacity and address workforce shortages, particularly in regional areas.

“If skilled migrants come to Australia to work as mechanics or in construction, for example, but they lack the competency and proficiency that local businesses need, not only is the migrant more likely to be underutilised, they still need to live in a house — but another migrant will need to come to fill the job the first couldn’t do,” he said.

Despite regional visa allocations, most new arrivals continue to settle in Melbourne, Sydney, and, increasingly, Brisbane and Perth — a trend Glazbook said highlights the gap between policy intentions and real-world outcomes.

International student intake climbs — but with tougher scrutiny

“It’s taking purpose-built student accommodation companies anything up to three years to get a project approved and commence construction. So it’s a long game,” he told SBS News in August.

“There was a big increase in offshore student applications for higher education in September 2025 … Public universities will be relying on those applications being processed quickly and the students arriving quickly to get near their allocations,” he said.

Universities will have to demonstrate stronger engagement with Southeast Asia and progress in providing secure student accommodation to apply for an increase in their allocation. Credit: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Student visa lodgements dropped to about 427,000 in 2024–25, down from nearly 600,000 the year before. Refusal rates held at roughly 18 per cent, improving only marginally.

He also warned the tougher rules would push more applicants into lengthy appeals processes, slowing expected departures and keeping migration numbers higher than anticipated.

Net Overseas Migration

NOM measures the change in Australia’s population from people entering and leaving the country.

“Cutting permanent migration does not lower the rate of NOM, especially when most people who have applied for a permanent visa are already in Australia and already counted in net overseas migration numbers.”

Bondi attack sparks migration reform

The federal government will review the country’s migration laws in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre, which was allegedly perpetrated by a man who immigrated from India and his son, who was born in Australia.

The bill has not yet been drafted, but the government said it would seek to give the Department of Home Affairs greater powers over visas.

New online support service for people with expired visas

In a bid to reduce the number of people living in Australia unlawfully, the government has launched a new online visa support service. The platform helps applicants with expired visas resolve their status quickly, offering pathways to reapply for a valid visa or depart the country without the lengthy delays historically associated with compliance processes.

“It may partly be a response to the huge bridging visa backlog, which the government will not want to keep growing,” he said.

Changes to English language testing and the Immi App

“The risk is that more providers means more competition which can sometimes convert to ELT providers competing on the basis that their tests are easier,” he said.