The Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill 2026 has been introduced to Parliament and proposes to give the Minister for Immigration new powers to temporarily restrict travel to Australia for certain offshore temporary visa holders during periods of international risk or disruption.
The Bill introduces an arrival control determination, which would allow the Minister to suspend travel to Australia for specified classes of temporary visa holders who are outside Australia. Before making such a determination, the Minister must obtain written agreement from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
A determination may operate for up to six months, cannot be varied or extended, and does not cancel visas or affect their expiry dates. The measures would not apply to permanent visa holders, temporary visa holders already in the migration zone, or certain family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or protection visa holders.
The Minister may also grant individual exemptions for compelling, compassionate, or public-interest reasons. Any determination must be tabled in Parliament within two sitting days, together with a statement explaining the reasons for the determination. The Bill was introduced and read for the first time on 10 March 2026.
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