Immigration and Housing
Immigration and Housing
Australia needs a migration program that reflects our housing capacity.
Australians deserve the opportunity to own a home and raise a family in a community they can afford to live in.
Migration has helped shape Australia into the country it is today. It has strengthened our economy, enriched our communities and contributed to our national success.
But responsible migration also requires responsible planning.
When population growth outpaces housing supply, Australians feel the consequences through higher house prices, rising rents and increased pressure on essential infrastructure.
That’s why Australia’s migration program should be linked to the number of new homes being built each year.
Migration is placing increasing pressure on housing.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia recorded 305,570 net overseas migrants during the 2024–2025 financial year.
This represents the number of people added to Australia’s population through overseas migration after accounting for arrivals and departures.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics – Overseas Migration, Australia (2024–25).
Housing supply needs to keep pace.
Building more homes is essential if Australians are to have a fair opportunity to buy or rent a home.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics records the number of new dwellings completed every quarter. These are homes that are finished and ready for people to move into.
Below are the official dwelling completion figures for each quarter of the 2024–2025 financial year.
September Quarter 2024
December Quarter 2024
March Quarter 2025
June Quarter 2025
Across the 2024–2025 financial year, Australia completed 174,092 new dwellings.
During the same period, Australia recorded 305,570 net overseas migrants.
These figures come directly from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The data highlights why housing supply should be considered when setting Australia’s annual migration intake. As Australia’s population grows, the homes needed to support that growth must also be delivered.
Australia needs a migration system that is fair, sustainable and aligned with our capacity to build homes.
Linking migration levels to housing supply would help ensure population growth is supported by the homes and infrastructure Australians need.
This approach recognises the important role migration plays while acknowledging the need to plan responsibly for future growth.