Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026
What changed
Australia has brought in new rules. These rules make it clearer which employers sponsor migrant workers. The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 creates a legal way for the Australian Government to publish a list of approved work sponsors. This list can show details about approved standard business sponsors and accredited sponsors. These sponsors have offered jobs to skilled workers coming to Australia. The Act became law on 8 April 2026 and is now in force. The aim of this rule is to make employer sponsorship more open. It also helps find patterns of sponsorship that might relate to migrant worker exploitation.
The detail
Policy history
Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026Related changes
AustraliaStudent VisasEffectiveEffective 2 Oct 2026 Australia Amends Classes of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications
What changed
The Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026 introduces changes to the eligibility criteria for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa applicants in Australia. These amendments, which apply to certain classes of persons including doctoral students and family members, will be in force from 2 October 2026. The instrument revises existing provisions related to visa application arrangements and conditions for specified student cohorts.
Published 1 Oct 2026Effective 2 Oct 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
AustraliaStudent VisasEffectiveEffective 2 Oct 2026 Australia Amends Student Visa Regulations to Impose Stricter Onshore Application Requirements and Family Unit Criteria
What changed
The Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 introduces significant changes to the eligibility criteria for Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications. As of 2 October 2026, certain primary student visa holders must be outside Australia to apply for a new student visa, and secondary applicants will face new restrictions on applying from onshore. These amendments aim to tighten visa integrity by curbing repeated onshore applications and ensuring clearer eligibility for family unit members.
Published 1 Oct 2026Effective 2 Oct 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
AustraliaVisitor VisasEffectiveEffective 29 Sept 2026 Australia Updates Approved Travel Agents fo Visitor (Class FA) Visa Applications
What changed
Australia has changed how applications are handled for the Subclass 600 Visitor visa, specifically for the Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream. The 'Migration (Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Amendment Instrument 2026' (departmental reference LIN 26/060) has replaced the previous list of approved ADS travel agents in China. This document was created on 24 September 2026, officially recorded on 28 September 2026, and became active on 29 September 2026, which was the day after its registration.
Published 28 Sept 2026Effective 29 Sept 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
AustraliaEntry RulesEffectiveEffective 29 Sept 2026 Australia Updates Specified- Country List for Visa Health Criteria
What changed
Australia has brought in a new legal document, called the Migration (Health Criteria—Specified Countries) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/090), which lists countries for certain visa health checks. This new instrument replaces an older one. It was created on 24 September 2026, officially recorded on 28 September 2026, and started being used on 29 September 2026. It cancels the previous document, the Migration (Health Criteria—Specified Countries) (LIN 23/071) Specification 2023.
Published 28 Sept 2026Effective 29 Sept 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
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