Australia's 2026 Migration Changes: What You Need to Know

The rules changed on 26 March 2026. And not just one rule. A wave of new laws now reshapes how you appeal a refusal, what you pay, and even whether you can board a plane to Australia.

If you have a visa pending, a refusal sitting on your desk, or a graduate stream in your sights, this affects you. As the immigration lawyers Melbourne clients trust to handle complex matters, we are seeing applicants get caught out by changes they did not know existed. Here is what you need to know.

Student Visa Refusals: No More Oral Hearings

Since 16 March 2026, the Administrative Review Tribunal decides student visa refusal reviews "on the papers". You will not get an oral hearing. No chance to sit across from a member, answer questions in person, or clear up confusion face-to-face.

The Tribunal reads your written application and your documents. That is it. Which means your written submission is now the entire case. Front-load your strongest evidence. Include a detailed statutory declaration that covers every point you would have raised in person. If you have already received a refusal, your ART appeal strategy needs a complete rethink under these new rules.

Arrival Control Powers and the Iranian Travel Ban

The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026 hands the Immigration Minister sweeping new powers. The Minister can now pause travel for entire groups of people when a crisis or conflict erupts overseas.

That power has already been used. From 26 March 2026, most offshore Iranian Visitor (Subclass 600) visa holders are barred from entering Australia for six months. Your visa is not cancelled. You simply cannot use it to travel.

Exceptions exist. Close family members of Australian citizens may still travel. So can holders of a Permitted Travel Certificate granted for urgent reasons. If you have family caught by this ban, the certificate process is technical and time-sensitive.

Higher Fees and Tighter Limits for Graduates

Planning to stay after your studies? The price tag has jumped:

• Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) application fee: $4,600 AUD
• Student Visa application fee: $2,000 AUD
• Savings requirement: at least $29,710 AUD in the bank to cover living costs

And there is a new ceiling. Anyone over 35 is now barred from applying for the post-study work visa. If you are 34 right now and weighing your options, the clock is loud.

Skills in Demand Replaces the 482

The old TSS 482 visa is gone. The new Skills in Demand visa takes its place, with one welcome shift: most streams now require only one year of work experience, down from two.

The salary thresholds are higher though. The core skills threshold sits at $79,499 AUD. The specialist threshold is $146,717 AUD. Employers and applicants need fresh advice on which stream fits, and our team handles skilled work visa applications under the new rules every week.

A New Public Register of Sponsors

One change protects you. A new Public Register of approved business sponsors has been launched. You can look up a company's ABN and postcode to see their sponsorship history before you sign a contract.

This is a real shield against exploitation. It also makes it easier to switch sponsors if your current employer turns out to be a problem. Businesses that hold a sponsorship licence should review their employer sponsorship arrangements now, because the register makes every breach visible.

What This Means For You

Oral hearings are gone. Fees are at record highs. Travel can be paused with the stroke of a pen. There is zero room for error in your application or your appeal.

The government is becoming more selective. A do-it-yourself approach has never been riskier. Whether you need a Permitted Travel Certificate, a watertight written ART submission, or fresh advice on the Skills in Demand visa, get it right the first time. Book a free consultation with our immigration lawyers and we will work out exactly where you stand.

This blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. Specific legal and regulatory requirements are set out in the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994.