The Australian Government has formally registered the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Reform) Regulations 2026, dated 12 November 2026. The instrument will commence tomorrow, 13 November, and makes the most significant structural changes to the 485 visa since its creation in 2013. Key changes include tightening who can be added as a secondary applicant. From tomorrow, graduate visa holders will only be able to add family members where the primary applicant either: (a) holds a passport from a Pacific or designated ASEAN country; (b) completed a doctoral degree; (c) was fully scholarship-funded by a foreign government; or (d) the family member is a newborn child or already holds a dependent student visa linked to the graduate. The intent is to curb what Home Affairs calls “chain migration” that has driven an unexpected spike in net overseas migration over the past two years. In addition, the regulations tidy up Schedule 1 drafting anomalies, remove redundant sub-paragraphs and clarify that primary applicants must lodge on-shore (but not in immigration clearance). The government has flagged further changes—higher English thresholds and shorter stay periods—in a consultation paper due in December. For universities and employers, the immediate impact is on accompanying spouses and older dependent children who no longer meet the tightened criteria. Education providers that market post-study work rights will need to adjust messaging quickly, while businesses using the graduate visa as a stepping-stone to permanent skilled visas should ensure HR teams understand the restricted family provisions. Migration agents expect a short-term surge in ‘last-minute’ lodgements today, followed by a drop in total application volumes. The reform is part of the wider Migration Strategy aimed at reducing temporary migration and focussing on high-value skills. Further legislative instruments are expected before the end of the year.
Source: Federal Register of Legislation
