expat network

Immigration | A Key Issue For The Federal Election 2025

We are now only a few weeks away from the Australian Federal Election on 3 May 2025 and are currently seeing both major political parties campaigning to reduce immigration levels. The Coalition is cracking down on both the permanent and temporary migration programs, promising to reduce the annual intake of permanent migrants from 185,000 to 140,000 people and apparently cut Net Overseas Migration from 260,000 to 160,000 people.

Written by Sheila Woods (MARN: 0533879) of Interstaff 17 April 2025

Net Overseas Migration (NOM) levels capture the difference between the number of people leaving and arriving in Australia, and includes people on Temporary Visas including Skilled Visas.

The current Government believes the Coalition’s apparent plan to cut its projected NOM figures by 100,000 would affect skilled workers that are crucial to construction, aged care and tourism – but while it has criticised the Coalition, greater clarity is needed on its own policies to manage immigration.

It says it plans to bring migration ‘under control’ but has avoided providing details on the expected size and composition of the Permanent Migration Intake since omitting these details in its 2025 Federal Budget.

As Australia faces a housing crisis much of the focus has been on reducing immigration levels, despite leading migration experts casting doubt on whether a reduced Permanent Migration Intake will free up more housing.

Other pertinent questions, such as whether we are getting the right skills into Australia, appear to be overlooked. If boosting the housing supply indeed requires an additional 130,000 construction workers, both parties seem to be missing an opportunity to share how skilled migration policies can better support this industry.

Established in 1988, Interstaff has over 35 years of Australian visa and migration experience and provides strategic immigration advice to businesses and individuals Australia-wide and internationally. MARN: 0533879.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.