Australia will bar international students from bringing family members, Tony Burke says

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that international students will no longer be permitted to include family members on their visas, part of his government's plan to reduce overall migration numbers.

Burke said the change will affect both standard international student visas and postgraduate student visas.

Scope and existing cases

“As for international students — and we will consider exemptions because they are important — we will no longer allow family members to be included on international student visas or on postgraduate visas. For those whose families are already included on the visa and are already here, we will not separate families while they remain in the country. The status of those who are already here will remain unchanged until they leave Australia, unless they obtain the right to a permanent visa,” Burke said.

The minister emphasised that the new rule is part of a broader effort by his government to bring down the number of migrants entering Australia. He also indicated that specific exemptions will be examined for particular cases.

Universities and advocates for international students have in the past warned that family provision is a key factor in decisions to study abroad; the announced measure is likely to prompt debate about the impact on student recruitment and living arrangements.

Burke framed the measure as a targeted change to visa entitlements rather than an immediate removal of rights from people already in Australia, saying those whose family members are already recorded on visas will keep their current status unless they later qualify for a permanent visa.

Photo: press material from the event