Coalition Plans Major Migration Cuts and New Agriculture Visa

The Coalition has unveiled plans to slash Australia's net overseas migration to as low as 100,000, described as the "biggest cut to immigration in Australian history." The proposal includes introducing a new agricultural visa starting in 2030, aimed at addressing labor shortages in the farming sector while reducing overall migration levels.

Nationals leader Matt Canavan emphasized that the cuts would focus on visa categories that expanded rapidly post-pandemic, while protecting regional migration programs like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme. The new ag visa is expected to strengthen ties with trading partners and supplement skills in the farm sector. The Coalition also plans to scrap Labor's ballot and caps on second- and third-year Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas, which farm groups have criticized for disrupting seasonal workforce planning.

Under the Coalition's policy, net overseas migration would initially drop to 100,000 per year before stabilizing at around 160,000 by the fourth year. The plan also includes reducing the stock of temporary visa holders by about 650,000 over four years, abolishing Temporary Graduate Visas, and cutting international student numbers. Employer-sponsored applications in regional Australia would be prioritized.

National Farmers' Federation president Hamish McIntyre welcomed the ag visa proposal, calling for bipartisan support to develop a practical model with strong worker protections. He highlighted the importance of migrant workers in sectors like horticulture and meat processing, where local labor is often hard to attract. The Coalition's migration package is part of a broader election strategy addressing housing affordability and cost-of-living pressures, key issues in regional and outer-suburban seats.