On 6 October 2026 the federal Opposition (the Liberal and National parties) released a migration plan that would cut net overseas migration to 100,000 a year and abolish most Temporary Graduate visas. This is an election policy, not a law. Nothing has changed for current visa holders or applicants, and the existing rules continue to apply.
What was announced
According to the Liberal Party's published plan, a Coalition government would:
- set net overseas migration at 100,000 a year in 2028-29 and 2029-30, rising to 130,000 in 2030-31 and 160,000 in 2031-32
- abolish Temporary Graduate visas, with exceptions for PhD graduates, health and education graduates and regional university graduates, who would keep a post-study pathway
- cap international student commencements at 240,000 and restrict most secondary applicants (dependants) on student visas
- require second and subsequent temporary visa applications to be made offshore, except second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas
- reverse the ballot system and caps for second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas, and raise Working Holiday Maker fees, with an exemption for regional work
- keep permanent migration capped at 185,000 places a year
- introduce 15,000 Skilled Project visas a year for major projects, open the Specialist stream of the Skills in Demand visa to up to 5,000 more workers a year, and double the Talent and Innovation allocation to 7,000 through a new AUKUS and Five Eyes visa
- halve the humanitarian intake to 10,000 places a year
- require protection visa applications to be made within 30 days, and remove merits review for adverse character decisions, temporary visa refusals and offshore applicants
- introduce an Agriculture visa from 2030
The plan states there will be no changes to family reunion visas.
How it compares with current settings
- Net overseas migration: the 2026-27 Budget forecasts 245,000 in 2026-27 and 225,000 in each year from 2027-28 to 2029-30. The Coalition proposes 100,000.
- Permanent Migration Program: the 2026-27 planning level is 185,000 places. The Coalition proposes keeping 185,000.
- Talent and Innovation: 3,500 places in 2026-27. The Coalition proposes 7,000.
- Humanitarian Program: 20,000 places in 2026-27, per the Department of Home Affairs. The Coalition proposes 10,000.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): currently available to eligible graduates. The Coalition proposes abolishing it except for the groups listed above.
What would need to happen for it to take effect
The Coalition would first need to win government. Its plan says many of the major changes, including those to Temporary Graduate visas, student secondary applicants, offshore temporary visa applications and the new Skilled Project visa, could be made quickly using existing ministerial powers. It does not give a start date for each measure, and the details of any change would only be known once regulations or legislation are made.
What it means for you now
- Your current visa, conditions and application are not affected by this announcement.
- Applications are assessed under the law in force, so keep planning under the current rules. See our guides on student visas, the Temporary Graduate visa and skilled migration.
- Be cautious of anyone urging you to rush or change your plans because of a policy that is not law. If you are weighing timing for a graduate, skilled or student application, get advice on your own circumstances.
Source
- Liberal Party of Australia - Australia-first migration plan (6 October 2026)
- 2026-27 Budget Paper No. 1, Statement 2
- Department of Home Affairs - Permanent Migration Program planning levels
- Department of Home Affairs - 2026-27 Humanitarian Program discussion paper
This article is general information only and is not migration advice. It reports a political party's proposal and does not endorse or oppose it. If you would like to understand how current or proposed rules could affect your plans, book your consultation with Nanak Migration Group.