Australia's government is considering new restrictions on foreign students bringing family members to the country as part of broader changes to its immigration system. These changes, set to be outlined by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in a speech at the National Press Club, aim to shift migration policies from being driven by demand to being more controlled by the government. The goal is to reduce net overseas migration (Nom) while trying to limit economic disruption. The speech was delayed due to internal debate over the scale and direction of the proposed reforms. While Labor hopes to use legislation to control migration numbers, it may need to rely on regulations if parliamentary support is not secured. Minister Burke emphasized the need to reduce Nom in a "sensible, targeted way" to ease pressure on the Australian economy. The proposed changes would require most international students to come alone, as last year over 337,000 student visas were issued, with about 45,000 going to dependents or family members. The government plans to lower Net Overseas Migration from around 305,000 to 225,000 over two years, bringing arrivals back to pre-pandemic levels by 2027–28. Although Nom has fallen for seven consecutive quarters since September 2023, the number of people holding temporary visas remains high, with 568,370 arrivals in the 2024–25 financial year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The government is also expected to take steps to prevent individuals with expired visas from switching to different visa categories, effectively requiring some overseas citizens to leave the country more quickly. It plans to reduce the number of unlawful non-citizens, with 110,898 individuals currently in the country without a protection visa and not yet deported, according to Department of Home Affairs data. These measures come as One Nation, a political party, gains traction in public opinion with a proposal to cut temporary migrants by over 750,000 over three years, targeting international students and family members of skilled migrants. However, business groups, universities, and both major political parties have criticized this plan, warning it could harm essential services and the economy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought support from the opposition Coalition for legislative changes but has not reached an agreement. Meanwhile, Independent Senator David Pocock has called for a more mature discussion on immigration, suggesting a 10-year migration strategy that considers skills needs and the impact on housing and the environment. Andrew McKellar, head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warned against focusing too heavily on reducing Nom, stressing the need for skilled workers from overseas and highlighting the real challenges of housing shortages and skill gaps in the country.