Arabic version: تدابير بشأن متجاوزي مدة التأشيرة قيد مراجعة مجلس الوزراء

According to ABC News, temporary migrants who have protection claims rejected could lose work rights under a migration overhaul being considered by cabinet. The proposal is part of a broader effort to tighten temporary visa settings and reduce overseas arrivals.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was due to outline the plan at the National Press Club this week, but postponed the address after the proposal was considered by the Expenditure Review Committee and cabinet. Senior ministers were still working through questions including backpacker visas, family reunion rules, and the work and appeal rights of asylum seekers whose initial claims have been rejected.

Department of Home Affairs figures show an average of 1,580 onshore protection claims are lodged each month, mostly by people from China, India and Malaysia who arrived on student or visitor visas. About 90 per cent are rejected, but applicants can appeal through the Administrative Review Tribunal and the Federal Court. As at June, the tribunal was reviewing nearly 37,000 rejected protection claims.

The government is seeking to reduce net overseas migration from 300,000 to 225,000 by 2028, rather than pursue deep cuts. Business and mining groups have warned against restrictions that could affect skilled migration, citing workforce and labour-shortage concerns.