Can sharing a social media post online now cost you your future in Australia? Here’s the truth about the new “Bondi Law.”

If you are on a visa in Australia, your digital past and present just became a legal landmine and maybe your liability. On January 20, 2026, the Australian Parliament fast-tracked the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act through both the House and the Senate in a single day as the government’s emergency response to the Bondi Beach shooting on December 14, 2025.
This law is no longer a debate. The Bill has already passed both houses and is now awaiting Royal Assent. Once that signature is on the page, this becomes the absolute Law of Australia.

Key Changes to Migration Law in 2026:
1. Lower Threshold for Failing the “Character Test” in Section 501(6)(d) of The Migration Act

One of the most critical changes is the lowering of the legal bar for visa cancellation or refusal. In the old law, the government often had to show a risk that you “would” vilify a segment of the community to cancel your visa as a preventative method.

• The New Law: The law officially replaces the word “would” with “might.” *
  The Impact: The Minister now only needs to reasonably suspect that you might cause discord (listed under the section). This allows for visa cancellation and refusal based on “potential” behaviour or what you might do in the future.

A brand new section 501(6A) of the Act of the law called “Spreading Hatred and Extremism” has been added to the “Character Test”. This includes new grounds for the “Character test” and where your social media becomes a major risk.
2. Past or Present Membership (Section 501(6A)(a):
If you are, or have ever been, a member of an organisation that is later listed as a Prohibited Hate Group, a Terrorist Organisation, or a State Sponsor of Terrorism, you fail the character test.
What is a “Member”? The law defines this broadly to include past and present “informal members” or anyone who has “taken steps” to join the organisation.

3. Guilty By Association (Section 501(6A)(b):
This is even broader. You don’t have to be a “member” to lose your visa. If you have an “association” with one of these groups, you are at risk.
The “Intention” Factor: For an association, the Minister must suspect you intended to support “terrorism, extremism, or hatred.”
The Association: A single message in a group chat or attending one meeting with a group that the government later “lists” as a Prohibited Hate Group could be enough for the Minister to reasonably suspect you.

4. Hate Crimes:
Under Section 501(6A)(c), a person can fail the character test if they have been involved in conduct “constituting a hate crime.”
The Impact: This shifts the decision-making from a court of law to the Minister’s “reasonable suspicion.”
The Clause: The Bill explicitly states this ground applies “whether or not the person… has been convicted of an offence.”

5. Social Media “Endorsement”: The New Trap for Visa Holders and Applicants.

• The Power: The Minister can now refuse or cancel a visa if they “reasonably suspect” you have made or publicly endorsed hateful statements based on superiority over or hatred of other persons on the basis of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin, and you also pose a risk of harm to the Australian community.
• The “Endorsement” Mystery: The law targets anyone who “endorses” hate speech. But what does “endorse” actually mean?
  • The Official Guide: For this section (Section 501(6A)(d)), the government’s Explanatory Memorandum specifically includes reposting and sharing hateful statements (as opposed to encouraging someone to make such statements under section 501(6A)(e)) as examples of ‘endorsement’. However, it makes no specific comment regarding whether ‘liking’ such statements counts.

The Big Question: Could a simple “Like” be interpreted as endorsement?
Tell us what you think!