Key Takeaways
- Visa application charges went up across most visa types from 1 July 2026; always check the current fee before you lodge.
- Income thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas increased, so sponsors need to review salaries before nominating anyone.
- The number of spots in the 2026–27 permanent Migration Program stayed at 185,000, but most of them are now given to people with work visas.
- The number of spots for international students went up from 270,000 the year before to 295,000 in 2026.
- The Working Holiday visa age limit was extended to 35 for a handful of new countries.
2026 Visa Changes - At a Glance
Permanent Migration Program for 2026–27, unchanged in size
New international student places for 2026, up from 270k
New Working Holiday age range for select countries
Date most fee and threshold changes took effect
If you’re planning a move to Australia, or you already live here on a visa, you’ve probably heard that things are changing. The Australian visa changes 2026 have brought new fees, new rules and new numbers for almost every visa type. This guide explains what actually changed, in plain, simple language.
We’ll go through each change one at a time. No confusing jargon, no guesswork, just what the Department of Home Affairs has confirmed, and what it means for you. Whatever you call it, here’s what’s actually changed.
Who Do These Changes Affect?
Nearly everyone connected to Australian migration will feel some impact from these 2026 changes. Quick list of those who are touched and how they are affected:
- Skilled workers and employers – higher visa fees and higher sponsored-visa income thresholds
- International students – more places available, but the same integrity checks on providers
- Working holiday makers – a wider age range for a handful of nationalities
- Families – steady planning levels, but higher application charges to budget for
The sections below walk through each of these new Australian visa rules 2026 in more detail, starting with the change almost every applicant will notice first: the fees.
Visa Application Fees have gone up
The Department of Home Affairs raised the fees for applying for most types of visas on 1 July 2026. This was a much bigger jump than the small change that happens every year.
The exact charge depends on which visa you’re applying for. Rather than guessing, use the Department’s official Visa Pricing Estimator before you lodge, so you know the correct amount to pay.
The fee that applies is the one in place on the day you lodge, not the day you started preparing your application.
Skilled Visa Income Thresholds Increased
If you’re on an employer-sponsored pathway, this change matters just as much as the fees. The minimum salary an employer must pay a sponsored worker, known as the income threshold, went up on 1 July 2026 for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and related sponsored visas.
- The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) increased to $79,423 a year, up from $76,515
- The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) increased to $146,576 a year, up from $141,210
- The threshold applies from the date the nomination is lodged, not the date the visa is decided
- It’s reviewed every year, so expect it to keep climbing
- Employers must also still meet the Annual Market Salary Rate, whichever figure is higher
Employers especially need to plan around this, because a nomination that doesn’t meet the current threshold can be refused.
The 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program
Each year, the government sets a limit on how many permanent visas it will grant. For 2026–27, that limit stayed at 185,000 places, with roughly the same 70:30 split between skilled and family visas as the year before.
The mix within the skilled stream has changed. More places moved towards employer-sponsored visas, while places for regional skilled visas were cut back. If you’re weighing up an independent, state-nominated or regional pathway, this shift is worth knowing about before you commit to one.
| What changed | 2025–26 | 2026–27 |
| Total permanent Migration Program | 185,000 places | 185,000 places |
| Split between skilled and family visas | ~70:30 | ~70:30 |
| Focus within the skilled stream | More balanced | More employer-sponsored, fewer regional |
| International student places (National Planning Level) | 270,000 | 295,000 |
Not sure how these changes affect your visa?
Talk to a MARA-registered migration agent and find out exactly what’s changed for your situation, before you lodge anything.
More Places for International Students
Good news if you’re planning to study here. The government set the 2026 National Planning Level for new international student places at 295,000, up from 270,000 the year before. This is one of the more welcome changes for prospective students this year.
It’s important to know that a planning level is not a promise of how many student visas will be given, but rather a ceiling that the government wants to control growth within. The number of visas actually granted can, and often does, come in below the planning level.
The extra places come with continued checks on education providers, so the system stays sustainable. If you’re applying for a student visa, it still pays to choose a registered provider and keep your documents genuine and complete.
Working Holiday Visa Age Limit Extended
From 1 July 2026, people with passports from Cyprus, Finland, Germany, and the Republic of Korea will be able to apply for a Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa until they are 35 years old, instead of 30 as it used to be. This brings these four countries in line with arrangements already in place for a small number of other nationalities.
If you hold a passport from one of these countries and thought you’d aged out of a working holiday in Australia, it’s worth checking your eligibility again.
How to Prepare for the 2026 Changes
These visa application changes in Australia have rolled out this year and touch almost every applicant in some way. Here’s a simple checklist to work through before you lodge anything:
- Check your specific visa subclass on the Department of Home Affairs website for the exact rules that apply to you
- Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm the current fee before you pay
- Gather your skills assessment, English test results and other documents early
- Check where you stand against the current points test and occupation lists
- Get advice from a registered migration agent before you submit anything
Getting it right the first time saves you a world of stress, and a lot of wasted money, compared to fixing a refusal later.
Final Thoughts
The Australian visa changes 2026 have introduced higher fees, new income thresholds, a reshuffled migration program and a few genuine wins, like more student places and a wider Working Holiday age range. Staying on top of these changes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just means checking the official source before you act, rather than relying on last year’s numbers.
If you’d like help working through what these changes mean for your own visa or business, the team at Excel Migration can walk you through your options and help you plan your next step with confidence.
Common questions about the 2026 visa changes
Straight answers to what applicants and employers ask us most often.
What are the main Australian visa changes in 2026?
The biggest changes are higher visa application charges from 1 July 2026, increased income thresholds for employer-sponsored skilled visas, a steady permanent Migration Program with more places shifted towards employer sponsorship, a higher international student planning level, and an extended age limit for some Working Holiday visa nationalities.
Did Australian visa fees go up in 2026?
Yes. From 1 July 2026, the Department of Home Affairs increased visa application charges across most visa subclasses. The exact charge depends on the visa type, so it’s best to check the current amount on the official Visa Pricing Estimator before lodging.
Has the Australian permanent migration program changed for 2026–27?
The overall program stayed at 185,000 places for 2026–27, with a similar split between skilled and family visas as the year before. Within the skilled stream, more places moved towards employer-sponsored visas, while regional visa places were reduced.
Are there more places for international students in 2026?
Yes. The Australian Government set the 2026 National Planning Level for new international student places at 295,000, up from 270,000 in 2025, while keeping integrity checks on education providers in place.
Do I need a migration agent to deal with these visa changes?
It isn’t compulsory, but a registered migration agent can check which 2026 changes actually affect your situation, confirm current fees and thresholds, and help you avoid mistakes that cause delays or refusals.
Ready to find out where these changes leave you?
Book a consultation with a MARA-registered migration agent and get clear, honest advice on how the 2026 visa changes apply to your situation.