World · India Bureau
Australian Opposition announces sweeping plan to slash immigration numbers
Australia's opposition party has unveiled one of the country's most aggressive immigration reduction proposals, targeting a dramatic cut in temporary visas and international student intake over the next four years.
LSN India ·
The opposition's immigration plan seeks to reduce temporary visa numbers by 650,000 over four years, representing a significant tightening of Australia's immigration settings. The proposal also caps international student numbers at 240,000 annually and commits to scrapping post-study work visas, restricting pathways for foreign graduates to remain in the country after completing their qualifications.
The plan reflects growing political focus on immigration levels in Australia, with the opposition positioning itself as taking a harder line on temporary migration compared to current government policies. The reduction targets would represent one of the most substantial immigration cuts proposed in recent Australian political debate.
The measures would affect multiple categories of migrants, from skilled workers on temporary visas to international students seeking educational opportunities in Australia. The elimination of post-study work visas would particularly impact the Indian student community, which comprises a significant portion of Australia's international student population.
The proposal comes amid broader policy discussions in Australia regarding the balance between immigration needs and community concerns about housing, employment, and infrastructure. The opposition framed the plan as addressing pressures on public services and ensuring immigration levels align with national capacity.