Australia’s migration policy is facing renewed scrutiny, with former immigration minister Philip Ruddock urging the Albanese government to take a tougher approach to family reunion visas linked to international students.

Mr Ruddock said family reunion arrangements needed to be closely managed, arguing that allowing the system to expand too significantly could create further pressure on Australia’s migration program. His comments come as the government prepares to introduce further measures aimed at reducing migration and tightening visa approvals.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended the government’s approach, saying migration levels have already fallen significantly from their post-pandemic peak. He said the government was responding to Australia’s economic needs while working to ensure migration remains sustainable.

However, the proposed restrictions have raised concerns among tourism, agriculture and education industries. Industry representatives have warned that reducing the number of international students and working holiday-makers could worsen existing labour shortages, particularly in regional areas.

Tourism leaders have also called for working holiday-maker visas to be considered separately from broader migration policies, arguing that backpackers provide an important source of workers while contributing significant tax revenue to the Australian economy.

The debate also extends to the growing number of visa appeals. Former Immigration Department deputy secretary Abul Rizvi said the increase was partly driven by large numbers of international student visa refusals in 2022–23. He criticised aspects of the process, particularly the subjective assessment of whether applicants met Australia’s “genuine student” requirements.

The government now faces pressure to balance immigration reduction targets with the needs of universities, businesses and regional communities. As further details of the migration reforms emerge, questions remain over how Australia can protect its visa system while maintaining access to the international students and workers that contribute to the economy.