Regional Australia Warns Against 'One-Size-Fits-All' Migration Policy Amid Calls for Cuts

Regional Australian employers and academics are expressing serious concerns that a uniform national migration policy could severely harm critical workforces, as a national debate on immigration and potential future cuts intensifies. The issue highlights the vital role of overseas workers, including Filipino nurses, in sustaining regional communities and industries.

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Regional communities across Australia are voicing strong concerns that current national discussions and potential future policy shifts regarding migration could severely impact their ability to maintain essential workforces. Many industries, from aged care to agriculture, rely heavily on overseas workers, and stakeholders warn that a 'one-size-fits-all' migration policy would be detrimental to their survival and growth. This comes as the national debate on immigration numbers intensifies, highlighted by recent federal budget discussions and upcoming political platforms.

In south-west New South Wales, Filipino registered nurse Vanessa Joy Hipolito exemplifies the critical role migrants play. She is one of 14 Filipino migrant workers sponsored by the Coolamon Shire Council to staff Allawah Lodge, an aged care facility. Council general manager Tony Donoghue states that these workers have been essential in filling gaps that local recruitment could not, allowing the facility to expand its services and help elderly residents age in place. The reliance on overseas workers to bolster staff shortfalls in regional aged care is a well-documented national trend, as highlighted by a 2024 Australian Ageing Agenda report.

The broader context involves the federal government’s forecast for net migration of 295,000 people this financial year, a significant drop from over 530,000 in 2022-23. Adding to the debate, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has indicated that a future Liberal-National Coalition government, if elected in 2028, would propose substantial immigration cuts by capping numbers based on annual home construction. Such a policy, aimed at alleviating housing pressures, could fundamentally alter the landscape for prospective migrants and regional employers.

However, regional leaders and academics argue that a blanket approach overlooks the unique economic and social benefits migrants bring to smaller communities. University of Sydney researcher Dr. Sasha Block notes that international workers, comprising roughly half of Australia's healthcare workforce, offer quality and continuity of care, cultural enrichment, and contribute significantly to the vibrancy and liveability of regional areas. Similarly, farmers like Phillip Kroehn in South Australia's Riverland region depend on schemes like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program to harvest fruit, underscoring migration's critical role in agriculture. Mechanisms like Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs), which allow regions to tailor migration to specific economic and labour market needs, demonstrate the existing recognition for flexible, regionally-focused approaches to skilled migration in NSW and other states.

Regional stakeholders emphasize that while housing is a legitimate concern, any migration policy must incorporate regional specificities and needs. Coolamon Shire Council, for instance, invested in building accommodation for its migrant aged care workforce. The call is for a nuanced approach that supports regional development and prevents critical workforce decimation, rather than a broad stroke policy that could inadvertently undermine the very communities it intends to serve.