Australia’s opposition Liberal-National Coalition has announced a proposal for what it describes as the “biggest cut to immigration” in the nation’s history. Opposition leader Angus Taylor unveiled the plan on Tuesday, which aims to reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 people per year during the first two years of a potential coalition government. The strategy seeks to directly link migration intake levels to the country's housing availability and the current strain on public services.
Under the proposed policy, the number of temporary visa holders would be reduced by approximately 650,000 over a four-year period. Permanent skilled migration would remain subject to an annual cap of 185,000 places. International students would also face stricter regulations, including a new cap of 240,000 on new student commencements. Furthermore, the coalition intends to abolish most Temporary Graduate Visas, although exceptions would be made for PhD students, individuals studying in health and education fields, or those attending regional universities.
The plan also includes a 50 percent reduction in Australia’s humanitarian intake, bringing it down to 10,000 places per year. Additionally, the coalition would require most applicants seeking a second or subsequent temporary visa to lodge their applications from outside the country. In justifying the measures, the coalition stated, “A temporary visa should mean temporary. Australia is a home, not a hotel.” According to the proposal, net migration would see a gradual increase following the initial period of cuts, reaching 160,000 in the fourth year.
Migration has emerged as a central political topic in Australia, driven by widespread concerns over housing shortages and rising cost-of-living pressures. The incumbent Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also implemented tighter migration rules, including measures targeting international students, while maintaining that immigration remains a vital tool for addressing critical skills shortages in the workforce.
