# One Nation Proposes Cutting Australia's Temporary Migrant Population by 750,000
One Nation has released a policy platform that would dramatically shrink Australia's temporary migrant workforce. The party proposes reducing the temporary migrant population by 750,000 people over three years, creating a net outflow where more workers would depart the country than arrive.
The policy targets Australia's reliance on temporary skilled migration visas, particularly the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa and student visa holders who work during studies. One Nation argues that reducing temporary migration protects local job availability and wages for Australian citizens, a position that resonates with voters concerned about labor market competition and housing affordability pressures tied to rapid population growth.
Australia's temporary migrant population has grown substantially. As of recent counts, the nation hosts approximately 2.4 million temporary migrants, making it one of the world's highest per-capita users of temporary visa holders. This includes international students, skilled workers on temporary visas, and Working Holiday Makers.
The proposal carries substantial economic implications. Temporary migrants fill critical labor shortages in sectors including healthcare, aged care, agriculture, hospitality, and construction. Removing 750,000 workers over 36 months would reshape these industries significantly. Healthcare facilities, already facing nursing shortages across regional Australia, would face staffing crises. Hospitality and construction would lose workers during a period when building activity remains elevated due to housing demand.
Labor costs would likely rise sharply across affected sectors. Employers unable to fill positions through temporary migration would need to increase wages substantially to attract domestic workers, potentially passing those costs to consumers through higher prices for services and goods. Alternatively, some employers would scale back operations.
The policy contrasts sharply with the position held by the Coalition and Labor, both of which support temporary migration as necessary for economic growth and filling labor gaps the domestic workforce cannot address. The government has instead modulated migration levels through visa caps and eligibility changes, rather than pursuing outright reductions.
One Nation frames the proposal as protecting Australian workers and reducing pressure on housing, infrastructure, and services. The party argues that employers have reduced incentive to train and retain domestic workers when temporary visa holders remain readily available at lower cost expectations.
Critics argue the policy ignores economic realities. Treasury modeling consistently shows temporary migration generates tax revenue and fills gaps in specific high-skill sectors where local workers lack qualifications or willingness to work. Removing workers during labor shortages could slow economic growth, reduce business investment, and harm sectors dependent on temporary labor.
The proposal enters a complex political environment. Regional communities often depend heavily on temporary workers, particularly in agriculture and mining. Rural One Nation voters may hold divergent views from urban voters who prioritize migration restrictions, creating internal party tensions if the policy advances.
The policy signals that migration levels remain contentious in Australian politics. While mainstream parties manage migration through incremental adjustments, One Nation's radical approach appeals to voters viewing temporary migration as fundamentally incompatible with protecting domestic employment and managing rapid social change.