Labor's 'skilled' visa reforms are a farce

The Albanese Government has talked a tough game on reforming Australia’s purportedly skilled visa system, but ultimately achieved worse outcomes.

Since Labor was elected in May 2022, we have seen Australia’s net overseas migration (NOM) surge to a record high that has already blown the May federal budget’s lofty projections out of the water:

This boom in NOM has been driven by unprecedented volumes of international students, led by poor nation’s like India and Nepal whose student visa holders are more interested in working and living in Australia than gaining an education:

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About the author

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.

Labor’s ‘skilled’ visa reforms are a farce