Overview
- The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported net overseas migration of 301,000 for the year, a figure released on Thursday that is close to 2024/25 levels but well below the post‑Covid peak of about 538,000.
- Immigration minister Tony Burke said the number is a nine percent fall from the prior year and shows the government is deliberately reducing intake while prioritising skilled workers for care and construction roles.
- One Nation and the Coalition seized on the data to demand sharper cuts, with One Nation proposing an annual cap of 130,000 and the Coalition urging migration be tied to home completions.
- Public sentiment on cultural diversity has dropped markedly from 85 percent to 75 percent and One Nation has surged in polls, raising the political stakes of any immigration decision.
- The migration numbers are renewing pressure for faster housing supply and clearer labour plans because they affect rents, home demand and the availability of workers for aged care and building projects.