Radio National Breakfast What Australia gets wrong in the migration debate
Apr 1, 2026
Martin Parkinson, former senior public servant and current Macquarie University chancellor, unpacks Australia’s migration policy. He discusses the mismatch between permanent and temporary intakes. He highlights licensing barriers that stop skilled arrivals from working at their level. He links underemployment and housing supply to public frustration and system strain.
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Permanent Numbers Hide Massive Skill Underuse
- Australia's migration debate focuses on permanent intake numbers while ignoring systemic waste in skill use.
- Martin Parkinson notes 620,000 migrants assessed as skilled are working far below their qualification levels due to barriers like occupational licensing.
Temporary Visa Holders Are The Overlooked Workforce
- The conversation obsessively targets the 180–200k permanent intake while neglecting 2.3 million temporary visa holders with work rights.
- Parkinson highlights the economy depends on those 2.3 million yet policy debate barely addresses them.
Fix Licensing To Unlock Migrant Skills
- Remove or reform occupational licensing roadblocks so skilled arrivals can work in their trained professions immediately.
- Parkinson argues enabling doctors, nurses, electricians and builders to practise will boost productivity when growth is weak.