Studying in Australia or about to graduate? Here is the short version. On 6 October 2026 the federal Opposition put forward a plan to scrap the temporary graduate visa. It is not law. It is a proposal that would apply only if the Liberal and National Coalition wins government and then changes the rules. Right now, nothing is different.

Key points at a glance

  • Status: an Opposition proposal. Current student and graduate visa rules stay as they are.
  • Graduate visa numbers: down from 271,200 to just 10,000 by 2031-32 under the plan.
  • Timing: a four-year transition period before the visa ends.
  • Staying on: graduates would go home first and apply for another temporary visa.
  • Exceptions: some graduates in priority areas such as health and education, and in some regional areas, could remain.
  • New students: commencements cut to 240,000, below today's planning level of 295,000.

The Government says the sector is already tracking towards 250,000 commencements this calendar year.

Who would feel it most

International students and recent graduates. They are the group the plan targets hardest. Health and education graduates, plus some regional graduates, are the named exceptions.

The bigger picture, in one line: net overseas migration would drop to 100,000 for the first two years of a Coalition government and reach up to 160,000 by year four, with deep cuts to student, bridging and temporary protection visas and humanitarian places halved.

Why the Coalition wants the change

Its argument is simple. It says post-study work rights have been sold as a ticket to permanent residence or citizenship, not as part of an education. Ending the visa, it says, would point the migration program at the skills Australia actually needs.

Why India keeps coming up

An industry group for international education says the plan could break Australia's free trade deal with India. That deal was signed by a former Coalition government. A side letter from April 2022 promises post-study time in Australia for former students:

  • 18 months max for trade or diploma graduates
  • two years max for bachelor graduates
  • three years max for STEM bachelor graduates and master's graduates
  • four years max for doctoral graduates

India sends the second biggest group of international students to Australia, after China. The industry group called the Coalition's move ironic. It warned Australia would lose skilled people in critical areas: students pay for their qualifications, then leave before their health, IT and engineering skills help the country. It also linked part of the rise in non-genuine students to a post-Covid decision by a former Coalition government to raise how many hours international students could work in key industries.

The Coalition's reply: no treaty breach. It says the commitment is to offer temporary visa pathways so some students can stay briefly after study, that Australia picks which visas, and that in government it would work with partner countries on new pathways, skilled ones included, for their citizens.

What critics say

  • The universities' peak body: lasting damage to higher education and the economy, and a less attractive, less competitive Australia for talented students just when more skilled people are needed.
  • The Government: Australia becomes a weaker choice, loses the ability to select the brightest skilled graduates, and employers and industry suffer. Every comparable country offers competitive post-study work, so many top students would go elsewhere, hurting international education, the country's fourth biggest export.

Your next steps

Do not change your plans because of a proposal. Follow the rules in place today. Check the official temporary graduate visa page for current conditions. Watch for official announcements. The plan only matters if the Coalition wins government and passes the changes.

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