Australia Introduces Lottery System for Working Holiday Second and Third Year Visas, Restricts Student Family Accompaniment
The Australian government has announced immigration policy changes including converting working holiday visa extensions to a lottery system and restricting students' ability to bring family members. Starting late 2026, only 45,000 second-year and 5,000 third-year applicants will be selected by lottery, while student and graduate visa holders will be unable to add new family members.
Lottery System Implementation for Working Holiday Second and Third Years
According to the policy announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on the 17th, starting late 2026, only 45,000 second-year and 5,000 third-year applicants will be selected by lottery from those applying for working holiday visa extensions. As of June 2025, there are 206,000 working holiday visa holders in Australia.
Currently, most working holiday visa holders must work in regional areas to stay longer than one year, and this requirement will be maintained. The exemption for British nationals will remain in place as part of the free trade agreement, with no cap on numbers or regional work requirements.
The Department of Home Affairs stated that processing times for second and third-year visas will take approximately three months until the lottery system is implemented.
Restrictions on Student Family Accompaniment Applications
Student and graduate visa holders will be unable to add new family members to their visas. A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson confirmed that those who already have family members residing in Australia can include those family members when applying for additional student visas.
Exemptions apply to visa holders from Pacific and ASEAN countries, doctoral students, students sponsored by the Foreign Affairs or Defense departments, and foreign government scholarship recipients. Minister Burke explained that doctoral students are at a different life stage than undergraduate students.
Strengthened Enforcement Against Visa Overstayers
The government plans to deploy an additional 100 enforcement personnel and convert former quarantine facilities into detention centers for visa overstayers.
Minister Burke stated this is the first attempt Australia has made in 11 years, noting that in the past, there were 6-7 voluntary departures for every actual detention. He emphasized that "creating the perception that without a visa, you must leave is the biggest change."
Specific details about enforcement methods have not yet been disclosed.
Source: The Guardian
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