Coalition Migration Plan 2026: What It Would Change for 482 Sponsors and Visa Holders
By Matin Amirshahi, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1685110)
Published 9 Oct 2026
The Coalition migration plan, released by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor on 6 October 2026, is a set of election promises, not law. Nothing changes for visa applicants or sponsors unless the Coalition wins the next federal election and then makes the changes.
For employers, the plan would add places for highly paid and project-based workers. It would also abolish the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and require most second temporary visas to be lodged from outside Australia, which closes the most common route from student to sponsored employee.
Every visa and nomination lodged today is decided under the current rules. A proposal does not change them, so there is no reason to delay a 482 or 186 application.
What does the Coalition migration plan propose?
The plan sets net overseas migration (arrivals minus departures) at 100,000 a year for two years, rising to about 160,000 by year four. Temporary visa holders would fall by about 650,000 over four years, not counting visitors and New Zealand citizens.
The permanent Migration Program would stay capped at 185,000 places, the same level as the current 2026–27 program. The Coalition says the cap could be lowered later to keep migration below the number of new homes built.
- Temporary Graduate visa — abolished. Post-study visas would remain only for PhD graduates, students in health or education, and students at regional universities.
- Second temporary visa — must be lodged from outside Australia. Second- and third-year Working Holiday Makers could still apply onshore.
- International students — new enrolments capped at 240,000 a year, most students unable to bring family members, and each student visa linked to the enrolling institution.
- Review rights — merits review removed for temporary visa refusals, adverse character decisions and applicants outside Australia.
- Humanitarian program — cut to 10,000 places a year.
- Family visas — the Coalition says family reunion visas would not change.
How would the Coalition migration plan affect 482 and 186 sponsors?
Skilled employment is where the plan adds temporary visa holders. Its own forecast has temporary skilled employment visa holders rising from 260,600 in 2025–26 to 321,000 in 2031–32, plus 45,000 holders of a new project visa.
- Specialist Skills stream — the 482 stream for workers earning at least $146,576 (the Specialist Skills Income Threshold) would open to more highly paid workers, adding up to 5,000 places a year. The plan does not say whether the threshold itself would change.
- Skilled Project Visa — 15,000 places a year for major projects with labour shortages, with each worker tied to a defined project and period.
- Occupation list — the temporary skilled priority list would be revised. No occupations have been named.
- Construction applications — a strike force would clear the backlog of skilled construction applications already lodged.
- Regional permanent visas — the regional permanent program would be replaced by Ministerial Directions that put employer-sponsored regional applications first.
- Permanent residence — priority for applicants who score well on age, income, full-time work and English, and for skilled partners.
Which hiring routes would close?
Without the 485 visa, most international graduates would have to leave Australia when their student visa ends. Today many work for two or three years on a 485 first, and that is often where an employer meets the worker it later sponsors.
A student or graduate in Australia moving to a first 482 visa would be applying for a second temporary visa. Under the plan, that application would be lodged from outside Australia.
The plan does not say how it would treat 482 holders who change occupation, or whether people already in Australia would get a transition period.
Removing merits review for temporary visa refusals would mean a refused 482 applicant could no longer ask the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to look at the decision again. The plan does not mention refused nominations. Review rights as they stand today are explained on our merits review page.
How does the plan compare with current settings?
| Setting | Now | Coalition plan |
|---|---|---|
| Net overseas migration | Government target 245,000 for 2026–27, then 225,000 a year | 100,000 for two years, about 160,000 by year four |
| Permanent Migration Program | 185,000 places | 185,000 places, could be lowered later |
| Temporary Graduate visa (485) | Available | Abolished, with three exceptions |
| Second temporary visa from inside Australia | Allowed for most visas; student visa applications from 17 visa types barred since 2 October 2026 | Offshore only, except Working Holiday Makers |
| Humanitarian program | 20,000 places | 10,000 places |
The student visa bar in force since 2 October is explained in our post on who can still apply onshore.
When could the Coalition migration plan start?
The earliest is after the next federal election, which is due by 2028. The Coalition’s own forecast table starts in 2028–29.
The Coalition says four changes could be made quickly with existing ministerial powers, without new legislation: the 485 changes, the student family restriction, offshore applications and the Skilled Project Visa. No start dates or transition rules have been released, and costings will be published before the election.
The Government has criticised the plan. Business and university groups opposed the size of the overall cut, although the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry backed the shift towards skilled and project visas.
Do you need to do anything?
No. A 482 nomination, a 186 application or a 485 lodged now is decided under current law, and an opposition policy does not change it.
One step is worth taking anyway. If you employ graduates on 485 visas, work out when each one becomes eligible for a 482 or a 186 visa. That timing matters under current rules, and it leaves each worker with a clear next step if the rules change after an election.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Coalition migration plan law?
No. It is an Opposition policy released on 6 October 2026. It changes nothing unless the Coalition wins the next federal election and then makes the changes.
Would the Coalition abolish the 485 visa?
Yes, under the plan. Post-study visas would remain only for PhD graduates, students in health or education, and students at regional universities.
Would the plan change family visas?
The Coalition says family reunion visas would not change. Within the permanent program it would give priority to skilled partners.
Would people already holding a 482 visa be affected?
The plan does not say. Second and later temporary visa applications would have to be lodged from outside Australia, but no transition rules have been released.
Sponsoring a worker on a 482 or 186?
The rules on this page are proposals. We check the occupation, salary threshold and nomination timing under the law as it stands today, and tell you where the risk sits.
Matin Amirshahi, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1685110) · Preston, Melbourne
This article draws on a Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) member notice and official government sources, fully rewritten for Arta Migration readers.
