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Australian Temporary Visa Holder Statistics March 31, 2026
By Matt Paff · May 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 March 31, 2026. The highlights include:
- There were 2.97m visa holders in Australia as at end of March 2026, remaining near record highs after the 2.98m figure recorded at December 31, 2025;
- Student (500) visa holders are at 732,210 as at March 31, 2026 — up from the December 2025 seasonal dip of 709,437 and tracking above the 720,692 recorded in March 2025, despite ongoing caps on international student numbers;
- Working Holiday Makers (417 and 462 visas) have surged to a new record of 258,974 — up significantly from 225,901 at December 31, 2025 and well above the 222,190 recorded in March 2025;
- The 485 Graduate Visa Program continues to grow, reaching 237,015 — up from 225,751 at December 2025 and 224,015 in March 2025;
- Bridging visas have hit a new high of 432,300, up from 387,572 in December 2025 and 379,804 in March 2025.
Visas and the Australian Workforce
Australia’s unemployment rate remains low, highlighting our economy’s continued reliance on temporary visa holder labour. The total temporary visa cohort of nearly 2.97 million as at March 31, 2026 underlines the structural role temporary migrants play across industries from hospitality and agriculture to technology and education.
All Visa Categories — Snapshot
| Visa Category | Mar 2025 | Dec 2025 | Mar 2026 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student (500) | 720,692 | 709,437 | 732,210 | +11,518 (+1.6%) |
| Visitor | 672,982 | 477,890 | 609,678 | -63,304 (-9.4%) |
| Bridging | 379,804 | 387,572 | 432,300 | +52,496 (+13.8%) |
| Working Holiday Maker (417/462) | 222,190 | 225,901 | 258,974 | +36,784 (+16.6%) |
| Temporary Graduate (485) | 224,015 | 225,751 | 237,015 | +13,000 (+5.8%) |
| Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) | 204,812 | 215,768 | 255,821 | +51,009 (+24.9%) |
| Temporary Protection | 373,892 | 660,545 | 357,110 | -16,782 (-4.5%) |
| Temporary Resident (Other Employment) | 67,929 | 53,427 | 61,609 | -6,320 (-9.3%) |
| Crew and Transit | 21,200 | 21,777 | 21,289 | +89 (+0.4%) |
| Special Category | 5,698 | 3,536 | 5,341 | -357 (-6.3%) |
| Other Temporary | 3,792 | 1,726 | 1,710 | -2,082 (-54.9%) |
| Grand Total | 2,897,006 | 2,983,330 | 2,973,057 | +76,051 (+2.6%) |
Working Holiday Visas Australia
Looking at 417 and 462 working holiday visas, there is now a new quarterly record of 258,974 active working holiday visas in Australia as at March 31, 2026. This is up from 225,901 at year end 2025, and a strong 16.6% increase on March 2025’s figure of 222,190. The upward 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 are at 732,210 as at March 31, 2026. This is a healthy recovery from the expected seasonal dip to 709,437 at December 2025, and is above last year’s March figure of 720,692. The recovery shows resilience in Australia’s international education sector despite ongoing changes to Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) rules and caps on international student numbers at universities.
Looking at student visa grants data (see below), there was a massive influx post-COVID in 2022–23, but grant numbers have since moderated. So far in financial year 2026 (July 2025 – April 2026), there have been approximately 301,225 student visas granted — tracking below the FY2024 peak but still above pre-pandemic levels.
Bridging Visas
Bridging visa numbers have hit a new high of 432,300 as at March 31, 2026. This is up from 387,572 at year end December 2025, and up from 379,804 at March 2025 — representing a 13.8% 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 rebounded strongly to 255,821 as at March 31, 2026 — up from a seasonal low of 215,768 at December 2025 and well above the 204,812 recorded in March 2025. This represents a 24.9% year-on-year increase and reflects sustained employer demand for skilled temporary workers, particularly in technology, engineering, and healthcare sectors. Skilled migration remains firmly on the current government’s agenda.
Visitor Visas In Australia
Visitor visas are at 609,678 as at March 31, 2026 — down from 672,982 in March 2025, a 9.4% year-on-year decline. While this is a seasonal recovery from the December 2025 trough of 477,890, the underlying trend remains softer than pre-pandemic levels. This continues to present challenges for the tourism and hospitality industries, which rely heavily on international visitor spend.
Where Australian Temporary Visa Numbers Have Landed
As at March 31, 2026, Australia’s temporary visa holder population remains near record highs at 2,973,057. Working Holiday Makers are at a new record. Skilled visas have bounced back strongly from their seasonal December low. Bridging visas have reached an all-time high. Student visas are recovering well from their seasonal dip. 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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