Migration drives regional growth in Australia amid refugee poverty concerns

New reports highlight the complex socio-economic role of migration in Australia. Data from the Regional Australia Institute reveals that migrants accounted for 46.2 per cent of population growth in regional areas in 2025, primarily driven by individuals aged 25 to 44. The institute is advocating for a national population and settlement plan to address skills shortages and support economic activity, noting that regional areas currently receive only 17 per cent of overseas migrants despite holding 36 per cent of the national population.

Healthcare providers, such as Rural Northwest Health, have warned that cutting migrant intake would have a “dramatic impact” on service operations.

Simultaneously, research conducted in partnership with the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) indicates significant hardship for humanitarian entrants. The study found that approximately 90 per cent of refugee children under 15 live in households with $500 or less per week during their first year in Australia. Furthermore, 59 per cent of humanitarian entrants live in households with A$400 or less per week upon arrival, with high rates of unemployment among men and women in this cohort.