Sep 8, 2026 – 5.56pmA wave of international students who came to Australia after the pandemic and applied for temporary graduate visas for themselves and their families as a step towards permanent residency is complicating the government’s attempt to reduce migration.The number of people living in Australia on temporary graduate visas has surged 170 per cent since March 2021 – triple the 56 per cent rise in the number of student visa holders over the same time period, according to data from the Department of Home Affairs.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles