Coalition Proposes Major Cuts to Australian Migration

The Australian Coalition has proposed a dramatic overhaul of the country’s migration system, aiming to slash net overseas migration from nearly 300,000 to about 100,000 in the first year if it wins the next election. Opposition leader Angus Taylor announced the plan on Tuesday, describing it as the largest cut to migration in Australia’s history. The policy would reduce the net migration level to 160,000 per year after four years, still higher than One Nation’s target of 130,000 but significantly lower than Labor’s goal of 225,000.

The Coalition’s plan includes scrapping graduate and bridging visas, forcing prospective migrants to leave the country before applying for new visas, and cutting the stock of temporary visa holders by about 650,000 over four years. Taylor emphasized the need to regain control of the borders and ensure immigration serves Australia’s interests. The international education sector would face major cuts, with temporary graduate visas abolished and student visas reduced by 72,600 by 2031-32, partly by limiting students’ ability to bring family members.

The Coalition estimates the policy would boost the federal budget by about $260 million and improve the economy by targeting skills Australia needs. However, costings will not be finalized until closer to the 2028 election. The humanitarian intake would be halved to 10,000 per year, and working holiday maker visas would be cut by 23,700 by 2031-32. Senator Pauline Hanson criticized the Coalition for adopting parts of One Nation’s immigration policy.