Australia’s temporary visas hit record levels, sparking political fight
Australia’s temporary visa numbers have hit a record high in mid‑June 2026, and bridging visas also peaked at 432,300 in March before easing in April. The surge is putting the spotlight on processing delays at the Department of Home Affairs, even as some visa categories reportedly improved compared with earlier backlogs. Critics say the overall volume is still overwhelming the system and keeping more people on temporary pathways for longer.
The debate is also being shaped by policy changes and costs. The government has moved to the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) framework, while aged care visas remain low, and the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) fee has doubled to $4,600. New figures on unlawful non‑citizens, visa cancellations, and relatively low deportations are adding pressure, as parties clash over security checks, fairness protections, and what migration settings should look like in 2026–27.
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