Capital Cities Dominant Choice for Migrants in Australia
According to research conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), the majority of migrants coming to Australia are choosing to settle in the country’s capital cities, with Melbourne and Sydney being the top choices. The IPA’s analysis of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) revealed that 57 percent of migrants establish their base in these two cities. Additionally, the data showed that a staggering 83 percent of all new migrants settle in one of Australia’s capital cities.
The specific breakdown of settlement locations within the capital cities is as follows: 29.3 percent in Sydney, 28.2 percent in Melbourne, 9.9 percent in Perth, and 9.4 percent in Brisbane. Smaller percentages were recorded for Adelaide (5.4 percent), the Australian Capital Territory (1.6 percent), and Hobart and Darwin (0.6 percent). Outside of the capital cities, the research found that 6.3 percent of migrants made their homes in regional Queensland, 4.3 percent in regional New South Wales, and 2.3 percent in the rest of Victoria.
Concerns Over Livability of Capital Cities
The IPA’s Senior Research Fellow, Kevin You, expressed his concern over the livability of Australia’s capital cities, attributing the issue to years of unplanned mass migration. You highlighted the strain on social services and the congestion on roads and public transport caused by the lack of a comprehensive plan to address these challenges. He emphasized that since the election of the federal government, Australia has experienced a record migration intake of 1.15 million, with 8 out of 10 new arrivals settling in metropolitan areas.
Affordable Housing as a Pressing Issue
One of the key concerns raised by You is the lack of affordable housing in Australia. He argued that home ownership is a vital aspect of the Australian way of life, yet the government has not prioritized ensuring access to affordable housing for all Australians. You pointed out that the country is not building enough homes to accommodate both first-home buyers and new arrivals. According to him, the government’s failure to address this issue is setting Australia up for economic and social disaster.
Matching Immigration Levels with Housing Capacity
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor called for immigration levels to align with Australia’s capacity to build houses. He stressed that there has been a significant increase in population since Labor came to power, which needs to be addressed. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed a net annual gain of 518,000 people in the year ending June 30, the largest net overseas migration since records began. Migrant arrivals rose by 73 percent, while departures fell by 2 percent. The government’s response to this issue was to cap the number of new international students in 2025, with plans to encourage universities to create more student housing in the future.
Debate on Migration’s Economic Impact
The issue of migration’s economic impact has been a topic of debate in Australia. One Nation has expressed concerns that increased migration has contributed to a decline in Australia’s Gross Domestic Productivity per capita, which fell by 0.4 percent in the June quarter. Pauline Hanson, the leader of One Nation, attributed this decline to the significant increase in net migration under the Albanese Labor government. On the other hand, New South Wales Libertarian MLC John Ruddick suggested a five-year pause on immigration to reassess and ensure that newcomers contribute positively to the country.
In conclusion, the research conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs highlights the overwhelming preference for Australia’s capital cities as settlement locations for migrants. The livability of these cities has become a pressing concern, with strains on social services and transportation infrastructure. The lack of affordable housing and the need to align immigration levels with the country’s capacity to build homes are additional challenges that need to be addressed. The debate on migration’s economic impact further emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the effects of increased migration on the country’s GDP per capita.
