October 2026 brought a lot of migration news. Most states and territories have now opened their 2026-27 skilled nomination programs, new student visa rules are in force, and both major parties have set out their migration plans ahead of the next federal election. Here is a summary of what changed and what it may mean for you.
In this update:
- State and territory nomination programs for 2026-27
- Student visa changes and evidence levels
- Proposed NSW DAMA
- Card surcharge removed and new biometrics rules
- Working holiday maker changes
- Migration policy debate
- Reminder for permanent residents travelling overseas
State and territory nomination programs for 2026-27
Most states have now opened their Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) programs for 2026-27. Allocations are tight across the board, and in most states demand is far higher than the number of places available.
| State or territory | Status in October 2026 |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Subclass 190 open, with the first invitation round expected in the week starting 19 October 2026. An updated NSW Skills List (by ANZSCO unit group) applies. Subclass 491 remains closed under all pathways. |
| Victoria | 900 subclass 190 places. New Registrations of Interest (ROIs) opened on 26 October 2026, and all earlier ROIs have expired. Monthly rounds are planned from November 2026. The first round is expected to target high-scoring ROIs across all occupations on the Victorian list. A second round will focus on priority industries. Subclass 491 settings are still to be confirmed. |
| Western Australia | Program open. Western Australia has 4,700 places: 3,200 for key priority areas such as construction and health, and 1,500 extra subclass 190 places for AUKUS and defence industry occupations on the new Schedule 3 list. |
| South Australia | ROIs open for people living and working in South Australia whose visas expire by 31 January 2027. Offshore candidates do not lodge an ROI and are invited directly from their SkillSelect EOI. Priority sectors include building and construction, defence, education, engineering, health and manufacturing. |
| Northern Territory | The NT has received enough applications for 2026-27. Subclass 190 and offshore streams are closed. Onshore subclass 491 applications are accepted only by exception, for NT Graduate or NT Resident candidates facing a visa expiry, age 45 or points deadline on or before 30 September 2027. |
| ACT and others | The ACT continues to issue invitations through the Canberra Matrix. Check our state sponsorship guide for the latest on each state. |
What to do now. Keep your SkillSelect EOI up to date and make sure you can prove every claim in it. Wrong claims can lead to a refused nomination or visa. If your occupation is not on a state’s list, look at other states and at employer sponsored options.
Student visa changes and evidence levels
New Student visa rules started on 2 October 2026. Most temporary visa holders in Australia can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore, and most new students can no longer include a partner or children. We explain these rules in detail in Student visa changes from 2 October 2026.
No bridging visa after an offshore application. If you must apply for your Student visa from outside Australia, you now need to be offshore both when you apply and when the visa is decided. The aim is to stop people briefly leaving Australia to lodge an application offshore, then returning and applying for a Bridging visa A while it is processed.
Changing education provider. The government has announced that, from around July 2027, students who want to change provider will need to apply for a new Student visa. Media reports suggest the charge will be about half the standard Student visa charge. The new visa would keep the original end date, and students could move only to an equivalent or higher qualification. Until then, the period before students can change course is expected to increase from 6 to 12 months. These details are still to be confirmed in law.
September 2026 evidence level update. The Department of Home Affairs updated Evidence Levels for countries and education providers on 30 September 2026, based on Student visa outcomes from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Media analysis reports that India, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Colombia and Pakistan are now at the highest level, and that Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka are at a medium level. More providers have also moved to a higher risk level. A higher evidence level usually means you need to provide more documents, such as proof of funds and English, with your application.
Refusal rates are high. Reported offshore Student visa refusal rates reached about 35 per cent in August 2026. A complete, well prepared application that clearly meets the Genuine Student requirement matters more than ever.
Proposed NSW DAMA
The NSW Government is consulting on a proposed state-led Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). The draft settings are not final and still need to be agreed with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Areas covered: regional NSW only, split into Tier 1 (Inland Regional NSW) and Tier 2 (Coastal Regional NSW). Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains and Central Coast), Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and the Illawarra, and Queanbeyan are excluded.
- Proposed age concessions: for Skill Level 1 and 2 occupations, up to 55 in Tier 1 and up to 50 in Tier 2. For Skill Level 3, up to 50 in Tier 1 and up to 47 in Tier 2. The standard maximum is 45.
- Proposed salary concession: for selected Tier 1 occupations, employers could nominate workers paid at least 90 per cent of the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) or TSMIT, as long as Award and market salary rules are still met.
If your business is in regional NSW and struggles to fill roles, this DAMA may open new options. We can help you check whether your occupations are likely to be covered.
Card surcharge removed and new biometrics rules
No more card surcharge. From 1 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs no longer charges a surcharge when you pay a Visa Application Charge by card. This follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s ban on card surcharges from the same date. Visa Application Charges themselves have not changed. See our visa application charges from 1 July 2026 page for current amounts.
Biometrics for applicants in India. From 26 October 2026, Australia has expanded biometric collection to visa applicants in India and a number of other countries. If you are asked, you will need to give your fingerprints and a facial image, either at an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre or, where eligible, through the app. Applications lodged before that date are not affected. Our guide to the Australian Immi app for biometrics explains how the app option works.
Working holiday maker changes
As part of the migration reforms announced in September, the government plans to reduce the working holiday program. Under the proposal, second and third year visas would move to a capped ballot, with about 45,000 second year places and 5,000 third year places. Regional work requirements would stay. Tourism, hospitality and farming groups, and the Western Australian Government, have asked the federal government to rethink the changes. We cover the wider reform package in What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You.
Migration policy debate
Migration numbers are now a major election issue. Here is how the main policies compare.
| Government (Labor) | Opposition (Liberal and Nationals) | |
|---|---|---|
| Net overseas migration | Target of 225,000 a year by 2027-28 | 100,000 a year for two years, then around 160,000 by year four |
| Permanent program | Skilled processing focused on healthcare, construction, teaching, resources, agriculture, aquaculture and fishing under Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 | Capped at 185,000 places a year |
| Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) | Continues | Would be abolished |
| Students bringing family | Restricted from 2 October 2026, with exemptions | Most students restricted |
| Visa hopping | Onshore pathways to Student visas closed, plus a planned points test reform with a boost for housing construction trades | People would generally need to leave Australia to apply for each new temporary visa |
What it means for Indian graduates. Any future change to the Temporary Graduate visa would also need to take account of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which provides post-study work rights for eligible Indian graduates.
Opposition policies would only take effect if the Coalition wins the next election, which is due by 2028, and would also need changes to the law. The current rules still apply. If you are planning your study or migration, base your decisions on the law as it stands and plan to be flexible.
Reminder for permanent residents travelling overseas
A permanent visa lets you travel to and from Australia only while its travel facility is valid, usually 5 years from grant. If your travel facility has expired, you need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) before you come back. Coming back on a Visitor visa or an ETA can have serious long-term effects on your permanent residence, citizenship eligibility, Medicare and work rights. Check the date on your visa before you book travel.
How we can help
With nomination places limited and rules changing quickly, timing and the quality of your application matter. Our registered migration agents and immigration lawyers can review your options for state nomination, student visas, DAMA and employer sponsored visas. Book a consultation to discuss your situation.
This article is general information based on government announcements, state program updates and media reports as at 31 October 2026. Proposed changes may change before they become law. It is not migration advice for your circumstances.
Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026
What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You
Australia Stops New International Student Enrolments in Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)