Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship — transcript
Minister Burke press conference: onshore applicants being preferred for permanent visas
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Asked about migration policy, the Minister said changes to the migration program would be decided by Cabinet and announced publicly, and confirmed some changes already in place.
Key points
- The permanent program is currently preferencing onshore applicants over offshore applicants.
- Working holiday (backpacker) visa processing is being managed under a different system and is moving more slowly than before.
- Broader reforms would be announced together rather than 'in bits and pieces', based on the Net Overseas Migration numbers in the Budget.
Key dates
- 26 August 2026Press conference
What it could mean for applicants
This confirmed the onshore priority for permanent skilled visas ahead of the full reform announcement on 17 September 2026.
InviteRadar summary of an official announcement. Check the original source before making decisions. InviteRadar provides general information only. It is not migration advice and is not affiliated with the Australian Government. For advice about your circumstances, speak to a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.
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