84% of the population believe immigration boost is benefitting Australia 

 

The Federal Government is currently planning its 2023-24 Migration Program, and in the last few weeks sought submissions from the public on the ideal size and composition of its intake from July.  New research reveals that 84 per cent of Australians support this year’s boost in immigration numbers, largely due to the economic benefits. Since the program, job vacancies in Australia have dropped from 480,000 in May – more than double the 277,000 vacancies in February 2020 – to 444,200 in November 2022.[1]

 

To better understand the population’s views around the Federal Government’s immigration boost, money transfer comparison platform Send Money Australia commissioned an independent survey of 1002 Australians which asked respondents what they believe are the benefits and disadvantages of the program. The full results, with age and State breakdowns, can be found here: sendmoneyaustralia.com/immigration-programs/.

 

The Australian Government’s permanent Migration Program is increasing its intake to 195,000 placements in the 2023 financial year – an increase from 160,000 in the previous financial year.[2] Under the arrangement, up to 142,400 skilled via placements are being approved to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skills shortages in the labour market, including in regional Australia. In addition, up to 52,500 Partner visas are being approved to reunite people in Australia with family members from overseas. Australian Migration Lawyers can help you with all of your legal enquires about immigration.

 

What benefits do Australians believe an immigration boost will bring? 

Send Money Australia presented respondents with five possible benefits of the boost in immigration numbers and respondents were asked to select which benefits they believe Australia will receive. These benefits are:
 

• Filling skilled jobs where there are labour shortages
• Improving Australia’s culture
• An injection of new ideas and innovation across different sectors
• A boost to the economy through increased spending
• Creating a more open-minded society.

 

More than four in five (84 per cent) respondents believe the immigration programs brings at least one of these benefits. More than half (53 per cent) believe immigrants filling skilled jobs will help solve Australia’s labour shortage. Nearly half (48 per cent) believe the program will bring an overall boost to the Australian economy through increased spending by immigrants. More than a third (38 per cent) believe various sectors across our economy will enjoy an injection of new ideas and innovation, and an equal 36 per cent think Australia’s cultural offerings and our society’s open-mindedness will improve. 

 

The survey found that younger Australians are more in favour of an increased intake in immigration, with nine in 10 (88 per cent) of under-35s believing there are benefits, compared with 86 per cent of 31-54 year olds and 77 per cent of over-55s. Older Australians are more likely than younger respondents to view more disadvantages to immigration, with 69 per cent of over-55s concerned about migrants sending money back home, compared with only 33 per cent of 18-34 year olds. Despite their higher home ownership rate, over-55s respondents are also more likely to view house price and rents increasing as a result of increased immigration, chosen by three-quarters of this group (73 per cent), compared with only 54 per cent of 18–34-year-olds who are more likely to be affected by the housing affordability crisis. 

 

When comparing responses across all Australian states and territories, respondents in the ACT are the strongest supporters of immigration, with 93 per cent believing it brings at least one benefit, compared with the lowest score of 83 per cent in NSW. However, NSW residents felt the strongest on the economical advantages of immigration with over half (51 per cent) choosing this as a benefit.

 

What disadvantages do Australians believe an immigration boost will bring? 

Despite their positivity, the majority (92 per cent) of respondents also believe the immigration program is bringing at least one disadvantage. Respondents could select more than one disadvantage from a list of five:

 

• Overcrowding of Australia’s cities
• More competition for jobs, potentially bringing lower pay
• The risk of higher unemployment
• Higher house prices and rents, due to more demand
• Immigrants sending money back home, rather than spending it in Australia.

 

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) believe the increased intake will result in increased house prices and rents. in the December 2022 quarter, house and unit rents grew to a new national record and saw their highest annual increase,[3] while the number of vacant rental properties were at an all-time low. 

 

More than half (56 per cent) fear overcrowding in our cities, and 53 per cent were concerned that while immigrants will earn money in Australia, they will send some of it overseas rather than spend it here to benefit our economy. Nearly half (45 per cent) were also concerned about the risk of higher unemployment, and 44 per cent believe more workers will result in more competition for jobs and lower pay for workers.

 

Across the states and territories, NSW respondents had the lowest percentage of respondents to see any benefits to immigration. New South Wales residents felt the most insecure about jobs because of the immigration program, with nearly half (49 per cent) believing it could lead to higher unemployment.  

More ACT residents (64 per cent) than respondents in other states view overcrowding of our cities as a disadvantage to immigration.  

 

The full results, with age and State breakdowns, can be found here: https://sendmoneyaustralia.com/immigration-programs/ 

 

About Send Money Australia

 Send Money Australia is a money comparison platform that helps Australians living abroad, foreign nationals in Australia, and Australian small businesses source the most suitable and cost-effective international money transfer services for their needs, in a confusing foreign exchange market. Send Money Australia reviews the best international money transfer services, compares their r rates, safety, credibility and overall offering, helping Australians get the most bang for their buck. Visit sendmoneyaustralia.com