Immigration

We will manage and regulate immigration levels in a way that prevents excessive pressure on the Australian housing market, ensuring that housing remains affordable and accessible for Australian citizens and residents. This policy will balance the benefits of immigration with the need for sustainable housing growth and affordability.

1. Establish a Sustainable Immigration Cap
   • Introduce a temporary reduction in the annual immigration intake for the next five years to ensure that housing demand is aligned with the capacity of the housing market.
   • Set a targeted immigration cap that reflects the housing market’s capacity, with a particular focus on regions experiencing the highest population growth and housing price inflation.
   • Regularly review and adjust immigration levels based on housing market data, including average home prices, availability of rental properties, and regional housing affordability.
2. Introduce Regional Immigration Preferences
   • Encourage immigration to regional and rural areas where housing demand is lower and infrastructure capacity is more sufficient, offering a priority visa pathway for individuals willing to live and work outside of major cities.
   • Provide targeted incentives, such as financial grants or tax breaks, for migrants who settle in these regions to help stimulate local economies without overburdening housing markets in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
3. Limit High-Density Immigration in Major Cities
   • Temporarily halt or slow the rate of high-density immigration (particularly in major cities) to ensure that rapid population growth does not outpace housing construction, leading to unsustainable price increases.
   • Introduce specific regional quotas for high-density immigration (e.g., skilled workers, international students) to ensure that growth in metropolitan areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane is carefully managed and does not exacerbate the housing crisis.

1. Managing Housing Demand
   • The rapid rise in immigration has directly contributed to the increasing demand for housing in Australia’s largest cities, driving up both property prices and rental costs. By adjusting immigration levels in line with the housing market’s capacity, we can reduce the strain on the market, promoting affordability for both homebuyers and renters.
2. Preventing Speculation and Price Inflation
   • High levels of immigration into already strained housing markets have contributed to speculative buying and inflated property prices. This policy will help reduce speculative demand, making housing prices more stable and affordable for Australians.
3. Ensuring Housing Supply Matches Population Growth
   • A major factor behind the housing affordability crisis is the failure of housing supply to keep up with population growth. By linking immigration levels to housing supply, this policy ensures that the pace of construction meets demand, helping to prevent further housing price increases.
4. Reducing Pressure on Infrastructure and Public Services

   • Managing immigration in a way that prevents rapid population growth in urban areas will ensure that infrastructure and public services can be more effectively expanded and maintained, benefiting both the existing and incoming populations.