Coalition Plans Massive Immigration Cuts to Regain Border Control

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has outlined a sweeping plan to reduce Australia's immigration levels if the coalition wins the next election. The proposal aims to cut net overseas migration from nearly 300,000 annually to about 100,000 in the first year, eventually settling at 160,000 per year after four years. Taylor described this as the biggest cut to migration in Australia's history, though it remains higher than the net negative migration during COVID and One Nation's proposed target of 130,000.

The coalition's plan includes significant reductions in temporary visa holders, excluding New Zealanders, by about 650,000 over four years. This would be achieved by abolishing temporary graduate visas, with exceptions for health, education, PhDs, and regional universities. Student visas would also be cut by 72,600 by 2031/32, achieved by limiting the ability of international students to bring family members. Working holiday maker visas, heavily relied upon by farmers and regional communities, would be cut by 23,700.

Taylor emphasized that the policy would 'regain control of our borders' and ensure immigration policy serves Australia's interests. The plan includes introducing a new skilled visa class for major projects, capped at 15,000 a year, and a new agriculture visa. The humanitarian intake would be halved to 10,000 per year, while family reunion visas would remain unchanged. The coalition estimates the cuts would boost the federal budget by about $260 million.

Critics, including migration policy expert Abul Rizvi, argue that abolishing temporary graduate visas would close off a key pathway for skilled migrants. Business Council chief executive Bran Black welcomed the focus on high-skilled migrants but questioned the impact on the economy. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson dismissed the coalition's plan, suggesting it was too little, too late.