Australia is targeting international students, so-called "visa hoppers" and backpackers, under stricter rules.

The Australian government has announced that it will curb immigration. Under the new rules, foreign students will no longer be able to bring their families with them, and those who want to extend their stay must choose a higher qualification.

The Australian government is also tightening rules for working holiday visas, commonly used by backpackers and a crucial labour source for the agricultural sector, by introducing a ballot system.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said that while immigration was a "strength" of Australia, there needed to be a "high level of control". Burke made it clear that students can no longer automatically bring family members over.

There would be exemptions for foreign students already in Australia as well as applicants from the Pacific and Southeast Asian countries, he said.