Across the country, thousands joined the recent March for Australia protests, voicing frustration about housing shortages, cost-of-living pressures, and stretched services. These are real and legitimate concerns, and average Australians are right to demand action.
But amid this frustration, a misleading and dangerous narrative is taking hold: that migrants are to blame for these systemic challenges. This narrative is not only inaccurate—it risks being hijacked by extremist groups, as was evident when neo-Nazis appeared at the rallies.
As Australian Financial Review political editor Phillip Coorey noted in his 1 September 2025 column, many protestors were “so-called ‘middle Australians’ with legitimate concerns… what they perceive to be an unsustainable rate of population growth… putting housing even further out of reach, pushing services to breaking point and reducing people’s amenity.” These frustrations deserve acknowledgment. But scapegoating migrants is not the solution.
Let’s look at some facts.
Myth 1: “Immigrants are driving up house prices”
Reality: Wealthy investors and tax policy are the culprits.
Economist Matt Grudnoff from The Australia Institute points out that over the past decade, Australia’s housing stock has grown by 19%, while the population grew by only 16%. In other words, there are more homes per capita than before.
The problem lies in how our tax system incentivises property investors to accumulate housing stock—often keeping properties vacant—while enjoying generous tax breaks.
“The problem of housing affordability is not too many migrants, but too many tax breaks for investors.” – Matt Grudnoff
Myth 2: “Immigrants are taking our jobs”
Reality: There are more jobs than unemployed people.
Even with unemployment ticking up to 4.2%, Australia remains in a tight labour market. As Coorey explains, governments have leaned on immigration to support growth for decades, but the jobs issue isn’t about migrants—it’s about productivity and policy reform.
Most migrants arriving on permanent visas are skilled workers, specifically brought in to fill critical shortages in health, aged care, engineering, IT, and infrastructure. These are not jobs being taken away from Australians; they are roles essential to keeping the economy and services running.
Cheek Media summarises it clearly: “Anti-migrant rhetoric ignores the fact that these pressures are reflective of global economic trends. This is not the fault of migrants.”
Myth 3: “Immigration is worsening the cost of living”
Reality: Migrants are essential to Australia’s prosperity.
Migrants do not control interest rates, supermarket prices, or energy bills. But they do contribute as taxpayers and workers, helping offset Australia’s demographic challenges.
With a fertility rate of 1.5 births per woman (well below the replacement rate of 2.1), Australia faces a shrinking working-age population. Without immigration, we would face labour shortages, weaker economic growth, and increased strain on services.
As Cheek Media highlights: “Immigrants are essential to Australia’s economic prosperity.”
Myth 4: “Australia is experiencing an immigration surge”
Reality: Net overseas migration is falling.
Yes, migration peaked in 2023 with 340,750 people, largely due to the backlog from COVID-era border closures. But both the AFR and Cheek Media confirm that net overseas migration has since fallen by around 100,000 per year, and experts expect further declines.
“While the NOM is falling closer to pre-COVID levels,” writes Coorey, “it is this surge that has primarily driven heightened concerns about immigration, given it has coincided with the housing crisis.”
The 2023 spike was temporary, not a long-term surge.
The Extremism Risk: When Frustration Becomes Exploited
Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly told the ABC:
“These marches were a con by the far-right neo-Nazis to prey on some legitimate concerns around housing and around cost of living in order to propagate their anti-immigration, racist agenda.”
Opposition immigration spokesman Paul Scarr echoed this, warning that perceptions of government inaction allow extremist narratives to gain traction.
This is the risk we face: average Australians with real concerns being misled by simplistic blame-shifting that fuels division instead of driving solutions.
What You Need to Know: Migration Levels Aren’t Changing
On 1 September, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that the 2025–26 Permanent Migration Program will remain at 185,000 places, unchanged from 2024–25.
- The program will continue to focus on skilled migration.
- The Department of Home Affairs has already been processing visas at this level, meaning no disruption for applicants.
For potential migrants and the businesses that depend on them, this means stability and clarity.
Final Thought: Smarter Policy, Not Smaller Thinking
Average Australians are doing it tough, and their frustrations are real. But blaming migrants will not solve housing shortages, wage stagnation, or stretched infrastructure.
The facts show that migrants are part of the solution: contributing skills, taxes, and energy to a country that needs them. What is needed is smarter planning, tax reform, and investment in services—not scapegoating.
At Bravo Migration, we stand for facts, fairness, and a more thoughtful national conversation.
If you’re considering applying under the 2025–26 Migration Program, our team is here to provide trusted advice and support every step of the way.
Special thanks for Cheek Media for sharing stats and facts
2) ACT Migration Program 2025-26: Key Developments on Critical Skill Lists, Guidelines, and Nominations
The 2025-26 program year marks a transition phase for the ACT Migration Program, with several reassessments and updates along the way. From reviewing new guidelines, introduction of new digital systems and updates on specific visa pathways, both migrants and migration agents must be ready for a secure and improved migration process.
The review of ACT Critical Skills List is the earliest expected key adjustments for the 2025-26 program year. Any changes are likely to take effect ahead of the first invitation round, which means the list could affect prospective applicants that are eligible for nomination. We best advise that applicants must keep a close eye on the ACT Migration for latest updates.
On the other hand, the ACT Nomination Guidelines are also under review, ensuring to continue to reflect the economic needs of ACT. For this reassessment, they will be looking into income thresholds and refining pathways such as Small Business Owner, Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa, Doctorate Streamlined and ACT Critical Skills.
These changes are expected to take effect by early 2026. This may or may not affect the applications that have already been lodged through the Canberra Matrix system depending on when and how the updates are introduced.
The introduction of the new Canberra Matrix and application portal is one of the significant developments for this program year. Designed to be more secure and user-friendly, it intends to ease the process for migrants seeking ACT Nomination or Regional Certifying Body Support.
(Please note that this may temporarily affect the frequency of invitation rounds for this year, with full implementation expected by program year 2026-27. In addition, the application fee schedule is also currently under review.)
The first invitation round for the 2025-26 program year remains unannounced, as ACT migration is waiting for the Depart of Home Affairs to confirm the final allocation of nomination places. Once announced, there may be a short delay before the first round begins.
Afterwards, invitation rounds are expected to run monthly (excluding December) until all nomination places are filled.
(Note: Nomination places could be filled faster than usual due to the implementation of the new portal.)
The Doctorate Streamlined Nomination Pathway remains unaffected, with eligible applicants consistently receiving invitations within seven working days.
As of July 2024, the Department of Home Affairs permanently closed the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). Accordingly, ACT Migration is no longer accepting new Subclass 188 visa nominations for 2025–26. Nominations for the permanent Subclass 888 visa, however, continue to be processed.
Another key change concerns the Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa (NIV), formerly known as the Global Talent Visa. This is a permanent visa for individuals with an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievements who can contribute to productivity and innovation in key sectors.
The ACT Government is currently reviewing how to manage nominations under this program. Thus, nominations nor Expressions of Interest are not yet open. Once decided, further details will be shared on the ACT Migration website.
Lastly, ACT Migration continues to process nominations within three weeks. Applicants should note that:
- Nominations approved after 1 July 2025 will only be added to SkillSelect once allocations are confirmed
- Current assessments follow the 2024–25 Home Affairs criteria. If these change before allocations are finalised, some EOIs may no longer qualify ACT nomination requirements. (In such cases, applicants affected will be notified promptly.)
- Applicants must notify ACT Migration if there are any updated documents, points, or claims, as they could affect the outcome of your application.
As reassessments and new initiatives are introduced, the 2025-26 program year is a period of transition with an intent to build a more secure migration system. At this time, applicants must expect and prepare for potential changes at short notice.
For potential applicants considering ACT Nomination should regularly check the ACT Migration website to stay updated. If you’re exploring your visa options, Bravo Migration is here to assist and guide you through every stage of your application.
