Labor's long-awaited migration overhaul targets temporary visas

The federal government will tighten temporary visa rules in a bid to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 people by 2028.

Labor is turning to regulatory changes to achieve the target after talks with the Coalition over stronger legislation broke down.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will unveil details of the temporary visa changes in a National Press Club address on Thursday.

Labor will rely on tighter rules for temporary visas to reduce Australia's net overseas migration rather than seek support for new laws to achieve its target.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will use an address at the National Press Club (NPC) on Thursday to unveil long-awaited measures that target temporary migrants seeking to bring family members to Australia, switch visas or extend their stay.

The overhaul will be pursued through regulation — including changes to visa conditions and application processes — as the federal government has no clear path to pass stronger legislation after compromise talks with the Coalition broke down.

In a speech titled "The work of managing the migration program: who arrives, who stays, who leaves", Mr Burke will outline how the government plans to meet its target of reducing net overseas migration from about 300,000 now to 225,000 by 2028.

Mr Burke had intended to announce the policy six weeks ago but was forced to abruptly postpone his address amid disagreement between ministers weighing competing priorities.

The ABC reported on Wednesday that the policy would include an effective ban on international students bringing family members to Australia.

While international student numbers are expected to be left untouched, the ABC has been told they will effectively lose the ability to bring their families to Australia under the crackdown.

Last financial year, 337,427 student visas were granted, and of those, 45,991 were secondary applicants, classed as dependents or family.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor met twice last week as Labor sought potential support for its immigration reforms.

The government had hoped to pass legislation that would restrict the amount of time people had to make onshore asylum claims and limit international students' right of appeal to remain in Australia.

But talks stalled after the Coalition presented a list of demands including tougher restrictions on so-called ISIS brides and linking migration to housing completions.