Budget 2026–27 and migration: 5 changes Vietnamese applicants need to know

Every Budget season the community lights up with headlines about “Australia tightening migration” or “last chance” warnings. The truth is usually much calmer: Budget 2026–27 delivers changes with clear timelines — and anyone with a good plan can absorb all of them.

The short answer: there are 5 changes that matter for Vietnamese applicants — the points test rewrite, the extended ban on buying established homes, CSIT/SSIT increases from 1 July, the annual visa fee indexation, and new state allocations opening from July. This article summarises each: who is affected, what to do, and where to find our detailed analysis.

1. The points test rewrite — expected from 1 July 2027

What is happening: the Budget confirms the 189/190/491 points scale will be rewritten for the first time since 2012. A consultation paper lands in June 2026, a bill late 2026, expected commencement 1 July 2027 — with transition for those already invited. Proposed directions (not yet law): heavier weighting for youth and English, possible removal of Australian study/Professional Year points, new income points, more weight for partner skills.

Who is affected: everyone on the points route — especially international students relying on Australian study and Professional Year points.

What to do: at or near the pass mark under current rules → fast-track your skills assessment + EOI within the next 12 months; well short → wait for the consultation before investing further in point sources that may disappear. Full analysis: The points test rewrite from July 2027.

2. Established-home purchase ban extended to 30 June 2029

What is happening: the ban on foreign persons (including temporary visa holders) buying established dwellings — in force since 1 April 2025 — is extended to 30 June 2029. New dwellings, off-the-plan and land to build remain available with FIRB approval + fees. PRs and citizens are unaffected.

Who is affected: holders of 482, 491, 500, temporary partner visas… planning to settle.

What to do: re-plan home purchase around your PR milestone rather than buying early at heavy surcharge cost. The remaining options in detail: Temporary visas and the housing ban to 2029.

3. CSIT/SSIT rise from 1 July 2026: 79,499 and 146,717

What is happening: annual indexation lifts the CSIT from 76,515 to AUD 79,499 and the SSIT from 141,210 to AUD 146,717 — applying to nominations lodged from 1 July 2026.

Who is affected: anyone negotiating a 482 offer in the 76–79k zone; employers preparing new nominations; 186 files expected to lodge after 1 July.

What to do: file ready → consider lodging the nomination before 30 June to keep the old threshold; lodging later → negotiate salary against the new baseline now. Scenario-by-scenario analysis: CSIT/SSIT changes from July 2026.

4. Visa fees rose ~25% from 1 July 2026 — an unusually large increase

What is happening: from 1 July 2026, visa application charges rose by roughly ~25% across most categories — an unusually large jump compared with the usual 2–5% indexation. The new (now applied) rates: subclass 500 = AUD 2,500; partner = AUD 11,710; 189/190/491 = AUD 6,135–6,140; 485 = AUD 5,750; 482 = AUD 4,015. Some categories rose much more sharply: Bridging Visa B from 190 to AUD 575, Resident Return 155 from 490 to AUD 1,475, Working Holiday second/third year up to AUD 1,000.

Who is affected: any application lodged from Q3 2026 onwards — particularly high-fee visas such as partner.

What to do: the window to lodge before 30 June and keep the old fees has closed — rebuild your budget on the new rates now. But do not let the fee rise push you into lodging a half-ready application — a refusal still costs more than any fee increase.

5. State allocations for 2026–27 open from July

What is happening: states receive their nomination quotas (190/491) for the new financial year and progressively open programs from around July — each state with its own criteria, occupation lists and opening rhythm, changing year to year.

Who is affected: every 190/491 candidate — especially those with an EOI already lodged waiting for the new round.

What to do: update your EOI and have supporting documents ready (employment, residence, commitment to the state) to lodge an ROI/registration as soon as your state opens — the early months of a financial year are when quotas are most plentiful. State-by-state strategy: State nomination 2026–27.

Reading the whole picture: change is normal

Put the five changes side by side and a common logic emerges: Australia keeps selecting more carefully (points test, CSIT) but is not closing the door — the migration program continues across all channels, state quotas still open, employer-sponsored routes remain wide. Nothing in Budget 2026–27 is a “slamming door”, whatever some advertising would have you believe.

The good planner’s principle: identify which changes touch your file directly, act on those changes’ timelines, and tune out the rest of the noise.

Summary

Budget 2026–27 brings five headline changes for Vietnamese applicants: the points test rewrite (expected July 2027), the established-home ban extended to 30 June 2029, CSIT/SSIT increases from 1 July 2026, annual fee indexation, and new state allocation rounds from July. Every change has a clear date — which means every change can be planned for. Want to know exactly where these changes intersect your pathway? Book a free assessment with VisaAffairs.

References

• Department of Home Affairs — official migration policy announcements.
• Department of Home Affairs — Fees and charges for visas — the current fee schedule.
• Foreign Investment Review Board — foreign purchase rules for residential property.

This article is general information current at publication. Australian migration rules change regularly — check the date and contact VisaAffairs before relying on it for your own case. Book a consultation for advice on your specific circumstances.