How the Visa Reduction Would Work
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party has unveiled a plan to reduce Australia’s temporary visa holders by 750,000 over the next three years, aiming to revert numbers to 2017 levels. The proposal targets international students and families of skilled migrants, with Hanson claiming it would result in net-negative migration initially before stabilising at 130,000 annually. The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over migration policy and cost-of-living pressures.
The plan calls for a phased reduction in temporary visas, including student and skilled worker visas, over a three-year period. Hanson argues that cutting these numbers would ease pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services. She says the initial phase would lead to more people leaving Australia than arriving, creating a net-negative migration outcome. After the three-year period, migration would settle at 130,000 per year, which she describes as sustainable. The policy is framed as a response to public concerns about rapid population growth in major cities.
What Impact Could This Have on Education and Industries?
Universities and industries reliant on migrant labour could face significant challenges if the proposal is implemented. International students contribute billions to the Australian economy annually through tuition fees and living expenses. Similarly, sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and technology depend on skilled migrant workers to fill labour shortages. Critics warn that a sharp decline in these groups could harm economic growth and strain university funding. Hanson maintains that the long-term benefits of reduced congestion and lower living costs outweigh these risks.
Would this policy affect permanent migration? No, the proposal specifically targets temporary visa holders, including international students and certain skilled migrants on temporary visas. Permanent migration levels are not part of the current plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How would net-negative migration be achieved? Hanson states that by reducing arrivals through visa cuts while departures remain steady or increase, more people would leave Australia than enter during the first three years, resulting in net-negative migration.
What is the current level of temporary visa holders in Australia? As of recent data, Australia hosts over 2 million temporary visa holders, including students, working holiday makers, and skilled workers. The One Nation plan aims to cut this number by 750,000 over three years.