Migration dips but stays above 300,000, fueling opposition claims Labor is failing targets

Net overseas migration to Australia stayed above 300,000 people last year, fueling opposition criticism that the Labor government is failing to control immigration.

“

This is not a one-off number. Net overseas migration has now remained above 300,000 for 14 straight quarters.

The latest figures show 301,000 people arrived in Australia in 2025, a slight decrease from 306,000 the previous year. However, this number remains significantly higher than the government's long-term forecast of 225,000 annually and has persisted above 300,000 for 14 consecutive quarters.

Opposition parties, including the Coalition and Pauline Hanson's One Nation, are capitalizing on the migration numbers. Shadow Immigration Minister Jonno Duniam stated that the government has "lost control of the system" and "ignored advice" on unsustainable migration settings. One Nation advocates for capping visas at 130,000 per year and has made immigration a central theme of its campaign, with Senator Hanson calling multiculturalism a "failed policy."

“

Labor has been told many times that its migration settings have been unsustainable. But it has ignored that advice, lost control of the system, and every new release of data confirms the same problem.

Senator Hanson specifically linked high arrival numbers post-pandemic to housing pressures and a decline in social cohesion. The government, while agreeing to reduce migration, faces a balancing act. Immigration Minister Tony Burke described the government's approach as "sensible" and "measured," emphasizing the need for skilled workers to address shortages in critical sectors like aged care and construction. Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the figures, noting a "substantial" moderation since the post-pandemic peak and forecasting further declines.

“

multiculturalism was a "failed policy"

"The facts clearly show that Net Overseas Migration is coming down under Labor and Treasury is forecasting it to go even lower in the coming years," Chalmers said, pointing to a 45 percent drop from the peak intake.

“

The numbers of temporary visa holders and international students also continue to fall, as we prioritise the skills that we need to care for our sick and elderly and build homes.