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Australian Visas
Australian Temporary Visa Holder Statistics June 30, 2026
By Matt Paff · August 2026 · Australian Visas
The Australian Department of Home Affairs publishes data via the Australian Bureau of Statistics on temporary visa holders in Australia. The most recent data comes from June 30, 2026. The highlights include:
- There were 2.81m visa holders in Australia as at end of June 2026, seasonally down from the 2.98m figure recorded as at December 31, 2025 BUT up from same day last year 2.77m;
- Visitor visas (no work rights) show a drop of 9% Year on Year from 325,969 June 30 2025 to 296,625 this year, a worrying trend for the tourism industry.
- The drop in visitors more than offset by increases in other visa classes YoY indicates more available workers in 2026 than 2025.
- Working Holiday Makers (417 and 462 visas) have remained strong with 225,648 in Australia on June 30 2026 seasonally (winter) down from the record high in March of 258,974 — but up 7% from 210,971 as at June 30 2025;
- The 485 Graduate Visa Program continues to grow strongly, reaching 271,191 — up over 18% in a year from 228,909 as at June 30
2025; - Bridging visas dipped to 412,925 having hit a new high of 432,300 in March, but up 12% from 369,627 in June 2025.
- However Student (500) visa holders saw a significant (more than seasonal) drop to 528,801 down from 609,678 as at March 31, 2026 and importantly down over 10% from the 592,342 recorded in June 2025, likely indicating fee increases and caps on international student numbers are having some significant impacts;
Visas and the Australian Workforce
Australia’s unemployment rate remains low at 4.4%, highlighting our economy’s continued reliance on temporary visa holder labour. The total temporary visa cohort of 2.81 million as at June 30, 2026 underlines the structural role temporary migrants play across industries from hospitality and agriculture to technology and education.
All Visa Categories — Snapshot
| Visa Category | June 2025 | June 2026 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Category (New Zealand Citizens) | 736,231 | 731,622 | -4,609 (-0.6%) |
| Student | 592,342 | 528,801 | -63,541 (-10.7%) |
| Bridging | 369,627 | 412,925 | 43,298 (+11.7%) |
| Visitor | 325,969 | 296,625 | -29,344 (-9.0%) |
| Temporary Graduate | 228,909 | 271,191 | +42,282 (+18.5%) |
| Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) | 219,710 | 260,579 | 40,869 (+18.6%) |
| Working Holiday Maker | 210,971 | 225,648 | +14,677 (+7.0%) |
| Temporary Resident (Other Employment) | 61,507 | 60,723 | -784 (-1.3%) |
| Crew and Transit | 13,782 | 12,835 | -947 (-6.9%) |
| Other Temporary | 5,202 | 4,639 | -563 (-10.8%) |
| Temporary Protection | 1,736 | 1,734 | -2 (-0.1%) |
| Grand Total | 2,765,986 | 2,807,322 | +41,336 (+1.5%) |
Working Holiday Visas Australia
Active 417 and 462 working holiday visas in Australia dropped seasonally from the quarterly record high of 258,974 as at March 31, 2026 to 225,648 as at June 30. However this is up 7% YoY from June 30 2025 (210,971). The upward annual trend continues to be driven in part by UK citizens accessing the program under the Free Trade Agreement, and the broader global mobility rebound post-COVID.
Student Visas
Student (500) visa holders saw a significant drop both quarter on quarter and Same Period Last Year (SPLY) with 528,801 primary and secondary visa holders as at June 30 2026 down 13.3% from 609,678 as at March 31, 2026 and down -10.7% on June 30 2025 (592,342). This an increasing decline from -9.4% March 2025 (672,982) vs March 2026.
The accelerating dip is a clear indication of the ongoing changes to Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) rules, visa price increases, increasing rejection rates and caps on international student numbers at universities.
Bridging Visas
Bridging visa numbers have dropped to 412,925 in June, from the high of 432,300 as at March 31, 2026. BUT remain significantly up YoY from 369,627 June 30 2025 — representing a 11.7% year-on-year increase. The persistent growth in bridging visas reflects both the high volume of onshore visa applications and processing delays, keeping many holders on bridging arrangements for extended periods.
Skilled Employment Visas
Temporary resident, skilled employment visas have continued their very strong growth to 260,579 as at June 30 2026 up from 255,821 as at March 31, 2026 and well above the 219,710 recorded in June 2025.
This represents a 18.6% year-on-year increase and reflects sustained employer demand for skilled temporary workers, particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare sectors.
The dips in Student and Bridging visas offset by skilled and graduate visas suggests that skilled migration is the focus of the current government’s agenda, despite the populist rhetoric from opposition parties.
Visitor Visas In Australia
Visitor visas dipped below 300,000 as at June 30 to 296,625 — down from 325,969 in June 2025, a worrying 9.0% year-on-year decline accounting for season BUT a of 55% in just 6 months from the post-pandemic high of 660,545 as at December 31 2025. This presents a worrying challenge for the tourism and hospitality industries, which rely heavily on international visitor spend.
Where Australian Temporary Visa Numbers Have Landed
As at June 30, 2026, Australia’s temporary visa holder population remains at a seasonally adjusted record high of 2,807,322. The interesting trends are the drops in Student and Visitor visas both seasonally and YoY comparatively. Working Holiday Makers are hanging around, despite the regular tourist numbers trending down. And we continue to see significant growth in Skilled and Graduate visas.
The overall picture is one of sustained and structural reliance on temporary migration across the Australian economy.
Data source: data.gov.au — Temporary Entrants / Visa Holders
Previous article: Australian Temporary Visa Holder Statistics December 31, 2025
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