Australia to ban student dependants as Labor fends off far-right pressure

Australia is implementing significant changes to its immigration policy, including a ban on international students bringing dependants. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will announce these measures on Thursday in Canberra. The government aims to reduce net overseas migration from 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028. These changes are intended to alleviate housing pressures and counter pressure from the far-right. Additionally, the issuance of temporary residence permits will be reduced to prevent "visa hopping" and ensure migrants depart Australia upon visa expiry.

Australia's federal government, through Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, is set to implement significant changes to the country's immigration system. These long-awaited reforms, detailed in a speech on Thursday, will introduce tough restrictions on foreign students bringing family members to Australia, shifting the system away from demand-driven settings. The aim is to reduce net overseas migration (Nom) from approximately 305,000 to 225,000 over two years, while minimizing economic impact. The changes also aim to curb visa overstays and streamline appeals processes. These measures come as support for One Nation rises amid public concern over immigration rates.