← Back to bills❌This bill did not pass parliament
The bill was rejected or lapsed before becoming law.
🏛 House of Representatives3 readingsAmendments circulated
Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill 2026
✦ Plain-English Summary
# Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill 2026
## What it does
The government can now temporarily stop certain temporary visa holders from entering Australia when it thinks there's a risk they won't leave when their visa expires. This is done through "arrival control determinations" — basically orders the Minister can issue that pause arrivals for specific groups of people.
## Why it matters
This gives the government a new tool to manage immigration during crises or when circumstances overseas make it more likely people will overstay. It's designed to protect Australia's visa system from breaking down if large groups of temporary visa holders don't leave as planned.
## Key details
- **Who it affects**: Temporary visa holders (like students, workers, and visitors) — Australian citizens and permanent residents aren't covered
- **How it works**: The Minister creates rules via legislative instrument that can pause visas or stop them coming into effect, but they stay "paused" rather than cancelled, so they can restart later
- **When it starts**: The day after the bill gets Royal Assent (the formal approval from the Governor-General)
Official Description
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to enable temporary restrictions on the arrival of certain classes of temporary visa holders in Australia, including when events or circumstances outside Australia mean that there is an increased risk that certain classes of temporary visa holders will not depart Australia when their visas cease to be in effect.
Committee Referrals
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Audit History
Last updated on APH
10 Apr 2026
Last checked by Crossbench
today
🗳️No formal division recorded
This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.
Constituent votes
Voting is closed — this bill has been decided by parliament.
No votes yet.
No votes were recorded for this bill.
🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament