Speaking to SBS Italian on 9 October, migration agent Emanuela Canini unpacked two major developments reshaping Australia’s mobility landscape. First, regulations that took effect on 2 October bar most temporary-visa holders – including Working-Holiday makers – from applying for a Student (subclass 500) visa while inside Australia. Applicants must now depart and lodge offshore unless they fall under narrow exceptions (PhD, primary/secondary schooling, certain government-sponsored programs). The change removes appeal rights to Australia’s Administrative Review Tribunal, sharply increasing risk for education agencies and families planning pathway visas. Second, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor launched what he calls “the biggest migration cut in Australia’s history”, promising to slash temporary visas by 650,000 over four years, cap net overseas migration at 100,000 in the first two years, curb “visa hopping”, eliminate most post-study Graduate 485 visas and halve the humanitarian program. While the proposal is not government policy, it signals bipartisan momentum towards tighter settings and could influence investor confidence and workforce planning ahead of the 2027 election. Education providers warn the off-shore lodging rule will deter enrolments, particularly from markets that value pathway flexibility. Employers who rely on graduate visas to transition international students into skilled roles fear a talent squeeze if the Coalition’s blueprint gains traction. Mobility teams should map alternative pathways (e.g., Skills-in-Demand 482 visa, state-nominated 491/190 routes) and communicate realistic time frames and costs to assignees. Organisations sponsoring existing student-visa holders should also monitor bridging-visa backlogs, as the government has flagged further action to reduce what it calls “permanently temporary” cohorts. Early preparation, including English-language testing, skills assessments and offshore filing strategies, will be critical to minimise business disruption.
Source: SBS Italian
