# Australian migration policy developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/australian-migration-policy-developments
> Updated: 2026-09-09T09:29:20.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

The Australian government has faced scrutiny regarding its migration and refugee policies. Initially, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed that the annual refugee intake would remain at 20,000 people, denying reports that the government intended to reduce the figure to 13,750. Federal ministers maintained that this humanitarian intake has been a consistent position for the Labor Party.

Following these clarifications, the focus shifted toward broader efforts to reduce net overseas migration from 300,000 to 225,000. Prime Minister Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor held discussions to seek common ground on these reductions. Because the government lacks a Senate majority, it requires support from the Coalition or the Greens to pass legislation. If a bipartisan agreement is not reached, the government may attempt to implement migration changes through regulation.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Australia migration: Albanese and Taylor hold talks on intake reduction

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor are negotiating a migration plan to reduce net overseas intake from 300,000 to 225,000.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-migration-albanese-and-taylor-hold-talks-on-intake-reduction

### 2026-08-27: Australia to maintain annual refugee intake at 20,000

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the annual refugee intake will stay at 20,000, denying reports of a planned reduction to 13,750.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/australia-to-maintain-annual-refugee-intake-at-20000

---
Cite as: Australian migration policy developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/australian-migration-policy-developments