Key Facts

• The Labor government is unveiling new immigration restrictions, including limiting international students from bringing family members and cracking down on “visa-hopping.”
• New laws aim to protect children and parents from family and domestic violence within the child support system by stopping automatic sharing of sensitive information between parents.
• The government announced measures to help families recover unpaid child support, which currently totals nearly $2 billion in Australia.
• Australia moved from 43rd to 8th place in the 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, its best ranking ever.
• Improvements credited for the gender gap ranking include more women in politics, a majority-female cabinet, expanded paid parental leave, higher wages in female-dominated sectors, and new investments in women’s health.
• Prime Minister Albanese noted the ranking had fallen to 50th under the previous government and emphasized that work on gender equality must continue.
• International student visas issued last year totaled over 337,000; new rules will mostly require students to come without family members.
• Ministers Tanya Plibersek and Katy Gallagher highlighted ongoing priorities such as ending violence against women, improving women's economic empowerment, and strengthening leadership opportunities.