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Feb 28, 2026 Abul Rizvi, former deputy secretary in the Department of Immigration and long-time migration policy analyst. He explains why steep cuts to migration are impractical. He breaks down how student visas shape numbers and housing. He discusses why governments avoid population plans and what a proper long-term plan should address.
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Why Cutting Migration By 100000 Is Unlikely
- Net overseas migration of 100,000 fewer people is practically impossible to deliver within a year.
- Abul Rizvi cites a strong labour market, slow legislative change, and political resistance from the Nationals and business as the three barriers.
Student Visa Caps Are The Main Lever
- Students made up nearly half of net overseas migration in 2023-24, so capping student visas is the main lever to reduce overall migration.
- Rizvi notes the government must first obtain legislative power to set visa caps before using it.
Students Push City Rentals Not Outer Suburb Prices
- International students mostly affect rental markets near universities, not outer-suburb home-buying markets.
- Rizvi says students rarely buy houses and concentrate in CBD/neighbourhoods close to campuses.