As Australia grapples with soaring housing costs and cost-of-living pressures, protests under the banner of “March for Australia” are set to take place across major cities on 31 August 2025. These rallies, fueled by growing public frustration, call for a significant reduction in immigration levels, with many Australians linking high migration rates to the worsening housing affordability crisis, strained infrastructure, and rising living costs. Here’s a detailed look at the issue, the protests, and the broader context.
The Housing Crisis and Public Sentiment
Australia’s housing market is at a breaking point, with median house prices in cities like Sydney reaching $1.1 million and weekly rents climbing to $850 in 2024, according to CoreLogic data. The national rental vacancy rate stands at a tight 1.4%, with Perth and Brisbane facing even lower rates of 0.6% and 1.1%, respectively. This scarcity has driven rental increases of over 12% year-on-year, while homeownership remains out of reach for many, with a 2024 State of the Housing System report estimating it takes 10 years to save for a 20% home deposit.
An ABC-commissioned YouGov survey in Western Sydney revealed that 86% of voters want immigration reduced, with 40% favoring sharp cuts and 46% supporting a pause until housing and infrastructure pressures ease. This sentiment is echoed on platforms like X, where users express frustration over high immigration levels, with some claiming it exacerbates housing shortages and cost-of-living challenges. For instance, posts on X highlight concerns that “hyper-immigration” is driving up rents and “slashing living standards,” though others argue immigration is being scapegoated for deeper structural issues.
The “March for Australia” Protests
Scheduled for 31 August 2025, the “March for Australia” rallies aim to spotlight national pride and demand lower migration levels. Organizers argue that the rapid population growth—driven by net overseas migration (NOM) of 454,400 in the year ending March 2024—has outpaced housing and infrastructure development, putting immense pressure on urban centers like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Critics of the rallies, including the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), warn against scapegoating migrants and fear extremist groups could exploit the events. Police are monitoring plans closely to ensure public safety.
Is Immigration the Main Driver of the Housing Crisis?
While immigration contributes to housing demand, experts argue it’s not the primary cause. The Australia Institute notes that during the COVID-19 border closures (March 2020–September 2021), when NOM fell to a record low with 100,000 more people leaving than entering, house prices still surged by 20%. This suggests other factors, such as tax incentives like negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts, limited land supply, restrictive zoning, and slow planning approvals, play a larger role. A 2020 study by Moallemi and Melser found that a 1% population increase due to immigration raises housing prices by only 0.9% annually.
Moreover, 60% of permanent migrants are already in Australia, reducing their impact on new housing demand. The Grattan Institute emphasizes that cutting skilled migration could cost the economy billions, with each skilled migrant contributing a $249,000 fiscal dividend over their lifetime. Housing advocates like Everybody’s Home argue that decades of underinvestment in social housing (currently only 4% of stock) and failure to address tax policies favoring property investors are the root causes.
Government and Opposition Responses
The Albanese government has acknowledged the housing crisis, pledging to build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers and banning non-citizens from buying existing homes for two years. However, a 2025 State of the Land report predicts Australia will fall short of its 1.2 million new homes target by 2029 by nearly 400,000. The government’s migration strategy aims to reduce NOM to 375,000 in 2025 and 250,000 by 2026, down from a peak of 510,000 in 2023-24, but critics argue it underestimates arrivals and overestimates departures.
The opposition, led by Peter Dutton, proposes cutting permanent migration from 185,000 to 140,000 annually for two years and reducing humanitarian visas from 20,000 to 13,750. They argue this will ease housing pressures, but the Grattan Institute warns that such cuts could reduce government revenues and exacerbate labor shortages, particularly in construction, where Australia faces a 130,000-worker deficit.
Experts and advocates suggest focusing on structural reforms over migration cuts:
- Increase Housing Supply: Streamline zoning and planning approvals to boost construction, particularly in high-demand urban areas.
- Tax Reform: Reassess negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts to reduce speculative investment in housing.
- Social Housing Investment: Increase the stock of social and affordable housing to alleviate pressure on low-income renters.
- Regional Migration Incentives: Encourage migrants to settle in regional areas to ease urban housing demand.
What This Means for Migrants and Visa Applicants
For those considering moving to Australia, the housing crisis and public sentiment may impact visa policies. The government’s focus on reducing temporary visas, particularly for international students and working holiday makers, could tighten eligibility criteria. Skilled migrants remain in demand, especially in construction and healthcare, but applicants should be prepared for high living costs in major cities.
The “March for Australia” protests reflect deep frustrations, but the housing crisis is complex. Do you believe immigration is the main driver, or should the focus be on policy reforms?
Featured Image Credit: Reuters
