Australia has outlined plans for significant immigration reform, intending to halve its migration intake in the next two years, citing the urgent need to address issues within its immigration

system.

With the goal of reducing the annual intake to 250,000 by June 2025, the government aims to bring migration figures back to pre-pandemic levels. The proposed changes include stricter visa regulations for international students and low-skilled workers.

Rising migration numbers, reaching a record high of 510,000 individuals in the year leading up to June 2023, have exacerbated pressures on housing and infrastructure. Despite this surge, Australia still faces a shortage of skilled workers, posing challenges in attracting and retaining talent.

Describing the current immigration system as "in tatters," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil announced a comprehensive 10-year strategy to address the system's inefficiencies, citing a recent review that highlighted its complexity and inefficacy.

The planned reforms involve tougher English-language proficiency requirements for international students and heightened scrutiny for those seeking a second visa. The emphasis will be on demonstrating how further studies align with career aspirations or academic progress. Approximately 650,000 foreign students reside in Australia, with a significant portion applying for secondary visas, according to official data.

Additionally, pathways to permanent residency have been enhanced for migrants possessing "specialist" or "essential" skills, such as highly skilled tech professionals or healthcare workers.

Minister O'Neil emphasized that these changes aim to attract much-needed workers while safeguarding individuals from exploitation within the country.

However, the opposition has criticized the government for delayed adjustments to migration policies post-pandemic, highlighting concerns that the adjustments might be insufficient to address the existing challenges.

Amid growing pressure due to the housing crisis, some groups advocate for a temporary reduction in migration. Yet, entities like the Business Council of Australia argue that blaming migrants overlooks systemic issues, such as housing investment and long-standing housing policy inadequacies. Photo by Australian Border Force, Wikimedia commons.