Numbers
Federal government figures show net overseas migration for the 12 months to 31 December 2024 was 341,000 people. That’s down 37 per cent compared to a peak of 538,000 in the 2022-23 year.
That number was a result of a spike in migration that came after the re-opening of international borders, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Alan Gamlen, of the ANU’s Migration Hub, says migration is currently “not at a record level” and “the trend of migration is steeply downwards”.
Housing
Most economists say cutting migration will have little effect on housing affordability but may damage economic growth while creating even greater skills shortages.
Housing unaffordability has been on an upward trend for decades and the Reserve Bank recently said the cause of high house prices was not an increase in migration but a shortage of housing supply, made worse by the pandemic.
Lower migration levels, especially in sectors like construction, could drive costs even higher thereby worsening housing affordability.
Jobs and skills
The idea that migrants will take people’s jobs is also farcical. New arrivals and their families add to the demand for labour and goods and services; and they add to the available supply of workers, especially skilled ones.
Research by the federal government’s Centre for Population and the OECD found that migrants and refugees are more entrepreneurial than locally born people and are more like to create businesses or innovations that employ people.
The research also found migrants boost the labour productivity of Australian born workers.
Multiculturalism
The Scanlon Institute’s annual social cohesion index consistently finds that around 80 per cent of Australians think migration and multiculturalism are good for Australia.
Multiculturalism has delivered significant cultural dividends for Australia. Just think espresso coffee, banh me and souvlaki. Our rich tapestry of different traditions, foods, music, and perspectives broadens everyone's worldview and enriches collective experience.
A recent McKell Institute study found multiculturalism fosters greater open-mindedness, tolerance, and social cohesion by exposing people to diverse perspectives, traditions, and ideas.
Contributions
Migrants and refugees have made significant contributions to Australian life over many years.
Comedian Anh Do, artist Judy Cassab, scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, athlete Gout Gout, biologist Gus Nossal, footballer Aliir Aliir. broadcaster Les Murray and businessman and philanthropist Frank Lowy are just a few.