Coalition Proposes Drastic Cut to Australia’s Migration Intake

Australia’s Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a radical overhaul of migration policies, aiming to slash net migrant intake to about a third of current levels. If elected, the coalition plans to reduce net overseas migration from nearly 300,000 annually to around 100,000 in the first year, settling at 160,000 per year after four years. This move is seen as a response to the rising influence of the anti-immigration One Nation party, which has been gaining voter support.

The coalition’s proposal includes measures to curb so-called “visa hopping” by requiring prospective migrants to apply for new visas offshore, effectively eliminating bridging visas. Temporary graduate visas would be abolished, and student visas would be cut from 528,800 in 2025/26 to 456,200 in 2031/32. The humanitarian intake would also be halved to 10,000 per year. Working holiday maker visas, crucial for farmers and regional communities, would be reduced by 23,700 by 2031/32, with higher fees for non-regional applicants.

Taylor argued that these cuts would positively impact the economy by better targeting skills needed in Australia. The coalition estimates the plan would reduce the stock of temporary visa holders by around 650,000 over four years, boosting the federal budget by approximately $260 million. However, the coalition has not yet provided detailed costings, pending further forecasts.

Senator Pauline Hanson criticized the coalition’s plan, accusing them of adopting One Nation’s policies too late. She argued that the coalition was proposing to build more homes without addressing the underlying issue of high migration levels.