Australia plans to bar international students from bringing spouses and children

Australia plans to bar international students from bringing spouses, partners and dependent children while studying. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is expected to outline the measures at the National Press Club, including a target to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028 from around 300,000 now. The government is also tightening rules for temporary migrants seeking to switch visas in Australia. Net overseas migration stood at 306,000 in the year ended June 30, 2025, after 429,000 in 2024 and a peak of 518,000 in 2023. International students made up more than half of the latest total. Borders reopened in February 2022 after nearly two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Under current rules, accompanying partners can work subject to hours restrictions tied to the student's course, and dependent children under 18 can accompany student visa holders. Media reports preceded Burke's scheduled speech. Earlier in the week One Nation proposed cutting temporary migrants by 750,000 over three years and a long-term net migration target of 130,000. Burke's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. What is contested: none found. Next is Burke's speech outlining the measures.