Key Action Update on Internal Relationships
Australia is building stronger connections across the Indo-Pacific through new initiatives like the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), which has already received 1,691 applications out of the 3,000 places available.
The new Falepili Union with Tuvalu marks a major step in regional cooperation, while updated visa products for ASEAN countries—including a 10-year frequent traveller visa and a 5-year business plan—are making it easier to strengthen ties with our closest neighbours.
Key Action Update on Regional Migration
Australia is focusing on regional needs by adjusting visa settings and the Working Holiday Maker program. This includes priority processing for employer-sponsored visas, an increased planning level for regional categories, and a full review of regional migration settings.
So far, the review has seen over 300 submissions, 22 in-person sessions in regional locations with 1000 participants, and 15 virtual consultations.
Key Action Update on Internal Education
Changes to student visa rules, English language requirements, and application charges are helping improve the quality and integrity of international education in Australia.
Other measures include Temporary Graduate visa changes, processing priorities, and steps to limit visa hopping.
The impact is already showing, with a 31% decrease in student visa lodgements, including significant decreases in VET (42%), ELICOS (46%), and Temporary Graduate visas (39.5%).
Key Action Update – Permanent Migration
Australia is reshaping its skilled migration system to better support long-term national prosperity. A key step was the introduction of the National Innovation Visa (NIV) on 7 December 2024, targeting highly skilled migrants in priority sectors.
Consultation has also begun on reforming the points test, with over 200 submissions received in response to a recent discussion paper.
The new NIV focuses on four priority areas, ensuring skilled migration is aligned with Australia’s future workforce needs.
Student Visa activity summary for Program Year (PY) 2024–25 to 31 December 2024
Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Student visa lodgements decreased from 282,312 in 2023–24 (to 31 December) to 203,682 in the same period for 2024–25—a drop of 27.9%.
The Department finalised 234,142 applications, a 4.9% decrease compared to 246,290 in the same period the year before.
The refusal rate slightly decreased as well, from 18.9% to 18.0%.
Total non-humanitarian visa programs trends, 2014–15 to 2024–25 (to 31 December 2024)
Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
In the first half of 2024–25 (to 31 December), the Department finalised 4.86 million migration and temporary visa applications, marking a 2.6% increase on the same period in 2023–24.
For temporary visas, 92.3% lodged in the three months to December 2024 were finalised, and 97.0% of those lodged over the past 12 months.
In the permanent migration program, 46.4% of applications were lodged and finalised in the three months to December 2024, and 58.2% over the past 12 months.
There has been some fluctuation in processing times compared to the same period in 2023–24.
Figure 7 Working Holiday Maker visa trends, from 2014–15 to 2024–25 (to 31 December 2024
Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
As of 31 December 2024, there were 206,187 WHM visa holders in Australia, up from 170,437 at the same time in 2023.
In the program year to 31 December 2024, 175,071 WHM visas were granted—an increase from 122,387 the year before.
Median processing times were less than one day for the Subclass 417 visa and 18 days for the Subclass 462 visa.