Overview
- The Coalition proposes capping net overseas migration at about 40% of current levels and linking intake to one person per new home built.
- The opposition has not specified which visa classes would shrink and says it would set the detail only if it forms government.
- Demographers say the largest, most controllable cuts would likely hit international students, and Nationals leader Matt Canavan backs reducing student numbers.
- Universities warn deep student cuts would damage a $55 billion export, weaken research and campus jobs, and they note institutions must add student housing to enroll above set limits.
- Business groups caution that reducing skilled worker visas would worsen shortages in construction, aged care and essential services and slow efforts to build more homes.