Net migration cut to 100,000? What the Opposition's plan could mean if you want to work in Australia

News · 2026-10-06 · 4 min read

Two skilled adults discuss career plans in an Australian community careers room.

Would the Opposition's migration plan close the door on skilled workers? Not today. The Liberal and National Coalition published its policy on Tuesday 6 October 2026, and it is an election proposal, not a law. It would start only after a Coalition win at the next federal election and new decisions in government. Every current visa rule stays as it is.

The headline numbers

The Coalition describes the package as the biggest immigration cut Australia has seen. Its pitch is a budget-neutral system that rewards the skills the country needs, leaves more housing available and takes pressure off frontline services. Whether it would achieve all that is part of the political debate.

Net overseas migration counts people arriving to live in Australia minus people leaving. The plan would hold it to 100,000 a year across the first two years of a Coalition government, then settle at around 160,000 in year four. A level of 100,000 would be the lowest since 2004 if the pandemic years are set aside, close to the steady level of the late 1990s. Looking further out, migration as a share of the population would remain under the average of a former Coalition government.

What it says about workers

For workers, the sharpest line is about temporary visas: roughly 650,000 fewer holders in the country across four years. Permanent skilled migration would keep its ceiling of 185,000 places a year, with a promise to lower that ceiling later if needed so that arrivals stay under the number of new homes finished. Skilled work visas would be tied closely to the occupations Australia needs. For someone applying from overseas, that points to a more selective system, though the detail would rest on legislation that does not yet exist.

Students and graduates are in the plan too. Temporary graduate visas would be abolished, most secondary applicants (family members who come with the main student) would be restricted, and student commencements would fall to 240,000. Access to post-study transitional visas would remain for PhD graduates, health and education graduates and graduates of regional universities.

How the plans compare

Who	What is proposed	Status
Opposition	Net overseas migration of 100,000 for the first two years, then around 160,000 in year four	Proposal that depends on winning government
Labor Government	Harder for students to bring families, a clampdown on visa-hopping, priority for skilled workers in teaching, construction and agriculture	Planned changes announced earlier
One Nation	Cut net overseas migration by 750,000 over three years	Party plan

An independent MP criticised the Coalition's policy, warning it risked bringing to Australia the fear and division seen in immigration debates in the United States and parts of Europe.

How to prepare without panicking

Follow today's rules on the official visa listing, and ignore social media predictions.
Find out how your occupation would be assessed for skilled work. RPLDirect covers skills assessment and qualifications for Australia.
Keep a clear English CV with your skills and work history. Build AI CV is one way to do it.
Read more in our posts on the Coalition's migration cap and the wider migration debate.
See what employers are advertising now on our jobs page.

Common mistakes

Reading a proposal as if it were government policy.
Rushing a decision because of a headline number.
Assuming a cap on one visa programme applies to every visa.
Ignoring that other parties also have migration plans.

Questions skilled workers ask about the migration cut plan

Is the Opposition's plan law?

No. It is a proposal that would apply only if the Coalition wins the next federal election and makes the changes.

Would permanent skilled migration stop?

No. The plan keeps a ceiling of 185,000 permanent skilled places a year, with a possible reduction further out.

What would happen to temporary visa holders?

Their numbers in Australia would drop by about 650,000 across four years.

Do other parties have plans?

Yes. The Labor Government has announced planned changes, and One Nation has its own plan to cut net overseas migration.

What should I do now?

Follow the rules that apply now and watch for official announcements.

What to remember while the plan is only a proposal

The plan is a proposal, not policy or law.
It would cut net overseas migration to 100,000 for two years, then around 160,000 in year four.
The permanent skilled cap would stay at 185,000 for now.
Temporary visa holders would fall by about 650,000 over four years.
Existing visa rules are unchanged, so prepare under today's rules.

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