For the first time since Australia lifted its Covid-era border restrictions, the number of people migrating to the country has fallen, primarily due to a significant drop in international student arrivals, according to official figures released on Friday.
Net overseas migration, which measures the population change from international migration, declined to 446,000 in the year ending June 2024, down from 536,000 the previous year, as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The number of student visa holders fell by 25%, from 278,000 to 207,000.
This decline reflects the impact of government actions aimed at tightening the international student visa system, which included higher fees and a proposed cap. These measures have harmed Australia’s reputation as a top destination for higher education. The policy shift is part of a broader migration crackdown, prompted by concerns over housing shortages and rising rents, which have been politically damaging for the center-left Labor government.
“Migrant departures on temporary student visas doubled in 2023-24 compared to the year before,” said Jenny Dobak, head of migration statistics at the ABS.
Meanwhile, the country is grappling with a housing crisis. Shane Oliver, chief economist at AMP Ltd, noted that Australia’s population growth in the last financial year suggests the need for an additional 221,000 homes, but only about 176,000 dwellings were completed. This shortfall leaves the country facing a nationwide housing shortage of at least 200,000 homes.
