Australia's Migration Policies Compared for International Students - Labor v Coalition v One Nation

Summary

The video compares migration policies announced by Australia’s Labor government, the Liberal–National Coalition and One Nation, focusing on issues that may affect international students and graduates.

The presenter stresses that these are party proposals, not necessarily laws. A party would need to win government and pass legislation through Parliament to implement them. The next federal election is described as being due in May 2028.

Migration and international student numbers

• Labor: Net migration targets of 245,000 for the current financial year and 225,000 for the next. Its planning figure for international student commencements is about 295,000 in 2026 and 2027.
• Coalition: Proposes net migration of 100,000 for the first two years, rising to 130,000 in the third year and 160,000 in the fourth. It would cap international student commencements at 240,000 a year.
• One Nation: Seeks negative net external migration—estimated in the video at about 750,000—within three years, followed by a limit of 130,000 a year. It proposes an international student cap of 115,000, including 15,000 places for priority courses such as PhDs and STEM.

Temporary graduate visas

• Labor: Has not announced changes to temporary graduate visas, though it has raised English-language requirements and visa costs. The presenter notes that future changes remain possible.
• Coalition: Would abolish most temporary graduate visas, with proposed exceptions for PhD students, some health and education courses, and regional university graduates.
• One Nation: Would cap graduate visas at 20,000 annually, prioritising fields including healthcare, engineering, science and technology.

Student visa extensions and visa switching

The video says Labor has tightened the ability of some students to extend student visas in Australia and restricted some temporary visa holders from applying for student visas onshore. The Coalition and One Nation also propose restricting applications for further temporary visas from within Australia, aiming to curb “visa hopping.”

Family and dependants

The presenter says Labor’s recent rules generally prevent international students from bringing family members, with exceptions described for PhD students and students from Pacific Rim and ASEAN countries. The Coalition proposes a similar restriction. One Nation would also restrict temporary skilled workers from bringing dependants.

Permanent migration

• Labor: Sets a permanent migration program of 185,000 places, prioritising areas including trades, construction, healthcare, teaching and agriculture.
• Coalition: Would retain 185,000 permanent places and add a proposed temporary skilled-worker visa for project employment, potentially bringing in another 60,000 people.
• One Nation: Does not specify a permanent migration quota in the video. Its broader policy is to reduce migration, with a stated net external migration target of 130,000.

Working holiday visas

• Labor: Plans limits of 45,000 second-year places and 5,000 third-year places, alongside a lottery system.
• Coalition: Would remove the lottery and avoid caps on second- and third-year visas, while setting different pay arrangements for regional and non-regional work.
• One Nation: Says it would not target working holiday visa holders or reduce the existing programs.

The presenter concludes that the proposals could significantly affect students’ choices about studying in Australia, particularly regarding post-study work options, bringing family and staying in the country.

Presenter/contributor: One unnamed presenter/narrator.