Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has officially released visa cancellation figures for the entire year of 2025, and the numbers are significant. A total of 5,158 visas were cancelled for people already living inside Australia between 1 January and 31 December 2025.
These numbers come directly from a Freedom of Information request (FOI Ref: FA 26/01/00324) and represent the most accurate official record available.
Here is the full breakdown:
Which types of onshore Australia visas were cancelled the most?
Here’s the full breakdown of onshore visa cancellations by category. Among them, student visa holders were the most impacted, representing almost 50% of all cancellations, followed by Visitor and Other visa categories.
| Visa Category | Number |
| Uncategorised | <5 |
| Protection | <30 |
| Bridging Visa E | 64 |
| Temporary Resident – Working Holiday | 129 |
| Bridging | 158 |
| Migrant | 228 |
| Temporary Resident | 425 |
| Other | 618 |
| Visitor | 1,110 |
| Student | 2,396 |
| Total | 5,158 |
Why were these visas refused?
Each visa cancellation happens under a specific legal power used by the government. Here is the breakdown of the most commonly used cancellation powers.
| Cancellation Power | Total | What This Means |
| s109 (Incorrect Info) | 339 | Visa cancelled due to incorrect, misleading, or false information provided in the application |
| s116 (General Power) | 3,696 | Visa cancelled for various reasons including non-compliance with visa conditions, change in circumstances, or risk to the community |
| s128 (Holder Overseas) | 19 | Visa cancelled while the visa holder was outside Australia |
| s137Q (RSMS Visas) | <5 | Cancellation related to Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa issues |
| s137T (Consequential RSMS) | <5 | Consequential cancellation linked to RSMS visa changes or issues |
| s140 (Consequential) | 230 | Visa cancelled as a consequence of another visa being cancelled |
| s164: Criminal Justice Visa | 55 | Cancellation linked to criminal justice matters |
| s501(2) Natural Justice | 53 | Visa cancelled on character grounds with an opportunity given to respond |
| s501(3)(b) Cancellation without Natural Justice – National Interest | 10 | Visa cancelled immediately due to national interest concerns without prior notice |
| s501(3A) Mandatory Cancellation | 672 | Mandatory visa cancellation due to criminal convictions or failing character requirements |
| s501A(3)(b) Minister’s personal power – without notice | 5 | Minister personally cancelled visa without prior notice |
| s501B (2) Minister’s personal power – with notice | 10 | Minister personally cancelled visa after providing notice |
| s501BA (2) Minister’s personal power – without notice | 44 | Minister personally cancelled visa in the national interest without notice |
| s501F (3) All visas in effect by law | 21 | All visas held by a person cancelled automatically following a decision |
| TOTAL | 5,158 |
1,502 people were removed from Australia after visa Refusal
Following visa cancellations:
- 1,502 non-citizens were removed from Australia
- 14 individuals were removed due to serious community risk concerns
These included cases where there were concerns about community safety, creating conflict in the community, targeting certain groups, or possible risks to public order.
Citizenship of People Removed After Visa Cancellation
The data also shows which citizenships recorded the highest removals:
| Country / Citizenship | Number of Cancellations |
| China | 173 |
| India | 137 |
| Vietnam | 94 |
| New Zealand | 88 |
| United Kingdom | 83 |
| Philippines | 68 |
| Japan | 67 |
| Fiji | 61 |
| Taiwan | 55 |
| United States | 40 |
| All Other Citizenships | 636 |
What Should You Do Right Now?
Whether you’re already in Australia or planning to move, here are simple steps to protect your visa:
1. Check your visa conditions
Always know what your visa allows and what it doesn’t. You can find this in your visa grant letter or your ImmiAccount.
2. Don’t work beyond allowed hours
If you’re on a student visa, you can usually work 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. Some exceptions exist, but don’t assume; get confirmation from a MARA-registered agent in Australia.
3. Stay enrolled in your course
If you defer, cancel, or change your course, your visa could be affected. Inform your immigration advisor as soon as possible.
4. Keep your contact details updated
Immigration authorities send important notices by email or address. Missing these messages can create serious problems. So, keep your contact details updated at all times.
5. Get advice early
If you receive any notice or feel your visa may be at risk, seek professional guidance from the best migration agent in Australia immediately. Acting late can make the situation harder to fix.
Don’t Risk Your Australia Visa or PR Pathway
With thousands of visas cancelled across Australia, it’s more important than ever to understand your visa conditions and avoid common mistakes. Even small issues can sometimes lead to serious consequences, especially if you’re planning your Australia PR pathway.
Growmore Immigration is here to guide you at every step and help you stay on the right track. Contact our team today for trusted support with your Australian visa.
Email: info@growmore.one | WhatsApp: +61 434 202 021 | Phone: +61 3 8764 3334