Australian business leaders warn migration debate risks economic growth

Australian business leaders and advocacy groups are pushing back against political debates regarding migration, arguing that current restrictions and hostility toward migrants could harm the national economy.

Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, denied that Australia has a ‘migration problem,’ stating instead that the nation faces a housing crisis and critical skills shortages. A coalition of industry bodies, including the National Farmers’ Federation and the Tourism and Transport Forum, has urged the Albanese government to restore access to working holiday maker programs, warning that arbitrary targets for net overseas migration could constrain economic growth.

Complementing these concerns, the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) released a report highlighting the economic potential of better migrant integration. The report, compiled by Deloitte, found that humanitarian migrants who access settlement services early see significantly better employment and wage outcomes. SCOA chief executive Maria Dimopoulos argued that the current debate often misses opportunities to address productivity needs by failing to maximize the contributions of skilled migrants.