MOST SKILLED MIGRANTS ARE NOT REALLY SKILLED
The majority of permanent migrants entering Australia on skilled visas are not in fact skilled. Of the 185,001 permanent visas granted in 2024-25, 132,148 (71%) were classified as skilled visas. But only 60,474 (33% of total permanent visas) actually went to someone who was skilled, the rest went to secondary applicants such as spouses (husbands or wives) and children.
Since the end of the Covid pandemic, the government has flooded Australia with 1.6 million immigrants on a net basis but a skills shortage still exists. Job vacancies across the nation sits at 329,500, which is 45% higher than pre-pandemic levels, and has not changed much for two years. Labour productivity levels and per capita gross domestic product are below 2022 levels. Real GDP per capita has fallen more often than it has risen in recent years. .
Some migrants who come here to study are granted special visas to allow them to stay on in Australia, after completing their studies, on what are known as 485 temporary graduate visas. However, of 271,191 such visas in Australia this year, about 74,000 of them are used by family members such as spouses or children. Immediate family members brought in under the scheme have the same working rights as students. Student visa grants peaked at 577,000 in 2022-23, many are now finishing their studies and applying to stay with family in tow. This has been described as a giant scam.
Mass immigration is more of a burden than a benefit and should be seriously cut back.