Australia's Major Parties Propose Significant Immigration Overhauls
The Coalition, Labor, and One Nation have all put forward distinct plans to drastically alter Australia's immigration levels and visa programs.
Australia's major political parties are proposing significant shifts in immigration policy, with distinct plans from the Coalition, the incumbent Labor government, and One Nation aimed at substantially reducing migrant numbers and reshaping visa programs.
The Coalition's proposal includes slashing net overseas migration from current levels of around 300,000 annually to 100,000 in the first year of a potential government. This figure would remain at 100,000 for a second year before increasing to 130,000 and then 160,000 in subsequent years. Their plan also targets a reduction of 650,000 temporary visa holders over four years, including scrapping temporary graduate visas and reducing student visa numbers from 528,000 to 456,000. The humanitarian intake would be halved to 10,000, with a shortened application period for onshore applicants. Additionally, working holiday maker visas would see a reduction of 23,700, though 15,000 skilled visas would be created for major projects, and a new agriculture visa is slated to begin in 2030.
Labor's current policy aims for a net overseas migration target of 245,000 in July 2027, followed by 225,000 annually thereafter. The government's approach includes limiting international students and those on graduate visas from bringing family members, with exceptions for PhD students and individuals from Pacific nations. A measure to send visa overstayers to detention facilities is also part of their plan. The number of working holiday makers allowed to stay for a second year would be capped at 45,000, down from 57,000, and those seeking a third year would be limited to 5,000, a decrease from 31,000. Labor prioritizes migrants for work in sectors like construction, farming, fisheries, mining, and teaching.
One Nation has outlined plans to cut immigration by 750,000 people over three years, aiming to push net overseas migration into negative figures. Subsequently, they propose capping annual visas at 130,000. This party's proposals would significantly reduce international student visas, from over 290,000 grants per year to 115,000. Secondary visas for family members would be eliminated under their policy.
