World

Australia Bars Most Foreign Students From Bringing Families

Published: 17 September 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

Australia will stop most international students from bringing their partners and children while studying in the country as part of a broader migration overhaul announced by Tony Burke, the country's Home Affairs Minister. The government says the changes are aimed at reducing temporary migration and easing pressure on housing and infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

The new rules are expected to help lower Australia's net overseas migration to around 225,000 by 2028, down from roughly 300,000 currently. Existing families already in Australia will not be affected, while some exemptions may apply to specific student categories.

Sources

Reuters, US News