Key Takeaways
- Net overseas migration for 2023–24 dropped to 446,000 from 536,000, despite 62% of Australians believing immigration levels are too high.
- The 2024–25 Migration Program set 185,000 places, prioritizing skilled migration with 70% allocation; regional visas increased to 33,000.
- Starting July 1, 2025, new salary thresholds for skilled migration aim to attract higher-earning migrants and address economic concerns.
As of March 13, 2025, concerns about Australia’s immigration levels under the Labor government remain a heated topic of discussion. Despite a recent decline in net overseas migration numbers, many Australians still perceive immigration as being too high and believe it carries far-reaching consequences for the country’s housing, infrastructure, and labor markets. With the upcoming federal election on the horizon, immigration policy continues to spark widespread debate, shaping not only public opinion but also the political landscape.
Net Overseas Migration: The Numbers
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that net overseas migration (NOM) for the 2023–24 financial year stood at 446,000. This marks a notable drop from the previous year’s 536,000—the first annual decrease in NOM since border restrictions lifted after the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with this reduction, the numbers remain significant, contributing to an expanding population that brings both challenges and benefits to Australia.
Public sentiment, however, has not aligned with this decline. A February 2025 YouGov poll revealed that 62% of Australians believe current immigration levels are “too high.” Only 28% of respondents saw the levels as “about right,” while just 10% considered them “too low.” These figures underline the frustration some Australians feel, epitomized by remarks such as “Bugger the rest of us,” which reflect a growing perception that government policies are prioritizing immigrants at the expense of local citizens.
Migration Policy Adjustments Under Labor
The Labor government recently sought to recalibrate its immigration approach with modifications to its permanent Migration Program for 2024–25. On May 14, 2024, the government set the planning level at 185,000 places, a slight reduction from the 190,000 places allocated the prior year. The program continues to prioritize skilled migration, with 70% of the intake dedicated to the Skill stream and the remaining 30% to the Family stream.
Key changes to the allocation include:
- Increased Employer Sponsored visas: Raised from 36,825 in 2023–24 to 44,000 in 2024–25.
- Decreased Skilled Independent visas: Reduced from 30,375 to 16,900.
- Higher State/Territory Nominated and Regional visas: Set at 33,000 each.
These measures reflect the government’s desire to address long-standing skill shortages while encouraging migrants to settle in regional areas to promote balanced population growth.
A significant adjustment came with the introduction of the Skills in Demand visa on December 7, 2024. This visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and aims to better match the country’s labor needs by targeting specific shortages in industries critical to the Australian economy. By tailoring its immigration intake more closely to workforce demands, the Labor government hopes to alleviate pressures on urban centers while supporting regional development.
Public Concerns Drive Debate
For many Australians, high immigration levels have become a flashpoint for broader grievances about the quality of life in the country’s cities and towns. Public debate has largely centered on four key areas:
- Housing Affordability
An influx of migrants into metropolitan areas has driven housing prices higher, fueling a crisis in affordability. Many Australians are struggling to break into the property market, and critics argue that the government’s immigration policies have compounded this issue. While housing is a complex issue involving supply, demand, and zoning regulations, population growth from immigration has contributed to increasing pressure. -
Strained Infrastructure
Public transport, hospitals, and schools are feeling the strain as urban populations swell. Residents report overcrowding on buses and trains, longer wait times for medical care, and overcrowded classrooms in schools. These concerns are amplified in major cities like Sydney 🇦🇺 and Melbourne 🇦🇺, where public infrastructure is struggling to keep up. -
Labor Market Concerns
Some Australians blame high immigration levels for keeping wages stagnant. The entry of migrant workers in industries like hospitality and agriculture, which traditionally rely on low-skilled labor, has led to fears that locals are being undercut or losing opportunities. At the same time, proponents of immigration argue that migrants fill critical skill gaps that local workers are unable or unwilling to address. -
Cultural Integration
Demographic shifts fueled by immigration have also sparked conversations around cultural identity and integration. While many Australians embrace multiculturalism, some worry that the pace of change is too fast for communities to adapt comfortably.
Government’s Efforts to Address Concerns
Potential solutions advanced by the Labor government attempt to respond to criticism while balancing the economic benefits of immigration. Besides its changes to the Migration Program, the government has adopted a multi-year planning approach for immigration, beginning with the 2025–26 period. By introducing a four-year model, policymakers aim to align immigration targets with infrastructure, housing, and workforce planning at federal, state, and local levels.
Regional migration continues to be a focal point. Allocations for regional visas have increased, encouraging skilled migrants to settle outside urban centers, which might ease congestion in major cities. The government has also introduced stricter standards for international students to prevent exploitation in the visa system while ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as a high-quality destination for education.
Starting July 1, 2025, new salary thresholds will also come into play for skilled migration, with increases to the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). These thresholds aim to attract higher-earning, higher-skilled migrants and address concerns about low-income competition.
Economic Impact of Immigration
Economic implications remain central to the immigration debate. Australia’s workforce challenges extend beyond debates about wages or job access; they include addressing a growing demand for specialized skills. Data from the Australian Labour Market for Migrants January 2025 report, published on January 31, 2025, delves into how immigration shapes workforce trends. Although the specifics of the report are not available, it is expected to explore connections between migration policies, employment opportunities, and the broader economy.
Skilled migration remains critical for sectors like healthcare, construction, and technology, which face persistent talent shortages. By prioritizing Employer Sponsored and State/Territory Nominated visas, the government aims to channel immigration toward addressing these challenges.
Political Implications as Elections Approach
With a federal election looming (scheduled no later than May 17, 2025), immigration has emerged as a central issue for both the Labor government and the opposition. For Labor, holding onto public trust will depend on demonstrating that their policies are effectively balancing the economic advantages of immigration with the concerns of local communities.
The government has promised to implement a new points-based system for skilled migration, create an agency dedicated to identifying workforce needs, and reduce the bureaucracy around labor market testing. These commitments are designed to streamline processes and ensure that migration benefits the country as a whole. Whether these efforts will sway public opinion remains to be seen.
The Road Ahead
Australia’s immigration future faces an uncertain path, shaped by shifting public expectations, economic needs, and political priorities. Net overseas migration remains a critical driver of population growth, underpinning the nation’s economic aspirations while posing challenges for its urban infrastructure. While the decrease in net overseas migration figures for 2023–24 may appease some critics, for others, broader concerns about housing, jobs, and social integration still linger.
Ultimately, the debate over immigration is unlikely to fade in the coming months. As the federal election approaches, the issue will remain firmly in the spotlight as Australians weigh their priorities and decide on the future direction of the country’s migration policies.
As VisaVerge.com reports, the success of Labor’s strategy will depend not only on the effectiveness of its reforms but also on its ability to communicate these changes to a skeptical public. Australians will be watching closely as both the government and opposition present their visions for immigration policy in what has become one of the country’s most contentious debates.
For policy details and regular updates from the Australian government, readers can visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Learn Today
Net Overseas Migration (NOM) → The difference between people entering and leaving Australia permanently or long-term during a specific period.
Employer Sponsored Visa → A visa allowing foreign workers to reside and work in Australia when sponsored by an eligible employer.
Skills in Demand Visa → A visa targeting labor shortages in key industries, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage visa from December 2024.
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) → The minimum annual earnings required to qualify for temporary skilled migration to Australia.
Cultural Integration → The process of newcomers adopting and adapting to the social norms and practices of their host community.
This Article in a Nutshell
Australia’s immigration debate intensifies as net overseas migration drops to 446,000 in 2023–24—a notable decline but still significant. Amid housing pressures, labor concerns, and infrastructure strain, Labor’s revised policies, like regional visas and salary thresholds, aim to address public frustrations. With elections looming, immigration remains pivotal in shaping Australia’s future and political landscape.
— By VisaVerge.com
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