Australia has long been a nation shaped by migration, with newcomers playing a crucial role in the country’s economy, workforce, and cultural diversity.
As the country gears up for a federal election, the topic of immigration is poised to be a hotly contested issue. The debate has been further fueled by a recent study from the Australian National University, which has uncovered the nuanced perspectives of Australians on migration.
While there is a general sentiment favouring a reduction in overall migration levels, the study reveals a surprising stance when it comes to international students.
The study, which surveyed over 5,000 Australians, found that more than half of the respondents, 52.99 per cent, believe migration levels are too high, while 34.69 per cent believe that immigration is ‘about right.’
However, the study’s findings suggest that Australians’ views on migration are not as straightforward as they may seem. Despite the desire for lower migration levels, there is strong support for skilled migration and a clear opposition to reducing the number of international students.
This apparent contradiction is indicative of the complex attitudes Australians hold towards different categories of migrants. The study’s lead researcher, Alyssa Leng, points out that many harbour inaccurate and sometimes contradictory beliefs about migration.
‘People thought about 38 per cent of working-age migrants in Australia over the last 10 years or so were full-time students. But the actual proportion in the 2016 census was around 20 per cent,’ she explained.
‘So people think there are more international students than there actually are.’
The research also highlights the impact of different narratives on public opinion. When participants were presented with ‘a positive narrative’ about migrants contributing to solving the housing crisis, there was a 4.5 per cent increase in support for more migration.
Conversely, ‘a negative narrative’ linking high immigration to rising housing costs led to a 6 per cent decrease in the desire to maintain or increase immigration levels.
These findings underscore the importance of how information is communicated to the public. Misconceptions about migration, such as the overestimation of migrants from the Middle East and Pacific regions and the underestimation of European migrants, can skew public perception and policy debates.
‘People don’t really know that much about migrants in Australia. And they do change their minds. So we need to communicate carefully about the issue when we talk about it because it can change people’s minds,’ said Leng.
The results of the study highlight the need for careful communication around the issue of migration, as it can significantly influence public opinion.
Meanwhile, the sentiment that migration levels are too high has been echoed by political figures such as Peter Dutton, who last year proposed cutting permanent migration to address the housing crisis. Similarly, the Labor government has indicated plans to reduce net migration this financial year.
What are your thoughts on the findings of this study? Share your views in the comments below and have a meaningful discussion with the YourLifeChoices community about this topic.
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Basic Principles – Our Government should only do what makes Australia a richer better country. That said, any permanent immigration should be restricted to those who are willing and able to easily integrate and have skills which are significant and are in undersupply in Australia. Separately, students should not be restricted in numbers, but they should be required to attend mainstream institutions on a full time basis and have funds to support themselves without the need to work while in Australia. There is a place for backpacker visas and seasonal worker visas. As for the ‘invest for visa’ scheme, it should also be restricted to those who will assimilate and $5m is well below the level it needs to be for working age immigrants. It does, however, seem reasonable for retirees. On the issue of refugees, surely there are sufficient refugees looking for a place to call home who could meet the skills requirement, rather than just taking seemingly at random or from where ever screams the loudest. Our Medicare and social security safety net should be restricted to citizens or those from other countries which have reciprocal arrangements with Australia.
Yes Gaz, well said. We only need immigrants who qualify for work requirements not just those who want to come here. Reducing intake would also make the housing problem less stressful. There is a rule I would like to see implemented and that is, “All migrants must abide by Australian Rules and not live in communities of same background, they must spread around the country integrating with other people.” You only have to look at the case of the migrants in Bullaro. They are part of the community and enjoying their life mixing with all locals.
Here’s proof of the irrationality of calling over-population immigration. We have the worst record of any country for species extinction. We concrete and bitumen cover our prime agricultural land. Idiot farmers ‘improve pastures’ by removing the very trees and scrub that added nitrogen to the soil and if they are growing rubbish food crops, it is in barren, glyphosate-sanitized dirt instead of well-managed, organic and microbially-rich soil.
Australia NEEDS to reduce its population. Forget immigration. Focus on the numbers and sustainability. We can take nationalities out of the equation if we just peg a target of say, 18 million in total.
We then have to get to that fictitious ‘Clever Country’ which has totally escaped us in the past.
There are too many migrants for the available housing here and until that is fixed migration should slow down.
Also as someone else pointed out migrants should be strongly encouraged to spread out and assimilate not cluster together in types of ghettos with all their baggage.
Cut migration especially from middle eastern countries this seems to be where the majority of criminals are coming from and most want to change our country to what they left and introduce sharia law. We don’t have the infrastructure for more people the hospital can’t cope housing a major problem the roads are clogged . Just look at the majority of protesters most are from Middle eastern countries. Not all middle eastern people are like this but they don’t speak up and condem those that are. Most don’t assimilate with Australians.
I agree with all of the above. Immigration should be put on hold and only those that speak & understand English, have a skill that is required and is willing to work, do not require social welfare in any way and want to be Australian, rather than try to still live as in the country they left.
This in turn would not put any more strain on our Housing, mefical /hospitals, education, social security & increasing crime rates,…. which are all bursting at the seams & ready to burst open.
The Government’s (all) are looking at everything with rose coloured glasses. They don’t struggle with homelessness, years waiting for medical assistance or having to add up each items cost as you choose from the grocery shelves so you’re not embarrassed at the checkout. They don’t SEE us at all. I am not against Immigration from any country at all, just my thoughts on what WE need instead of being PLEASERS of every other country that looks our way.
To me, the next election will definitely hinge on putting Australia & Australians first, before it’s too late.
Australia needs to take special note of what has happened in the UK. Years of accepting migrants who practice an alien ideology, many of whom are illiterate in their own language, who have not, and never will integrate, has had a devastating effect on the culture and safety of the nation.
This type of uncontrolled immigration has not only not added any value to the UK, it has had the kind of massive detrimental effect that it will never recover from.
For those who would say”Australia “ is too clever to do things like that, I would suggest there are already No Go suburbs in many of our larger cities, and mobs chanting hate have been the go in Melbourne in particular, for months.
Controlled, immigration that it subject to criteria that ensures that the migrant is able to add value, wants to integrate and accept all aspects of Australian culture, is essential to a growing nation, but being a dumping ground for people who accept terror as a way of life, is not.