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The ABS today released its national, state and territory population data for the March quarter 2025, covering births, deaths and migration.
“Australia took in a net inflow of 110,060 overseas migrants in the first quarter of the year, bringing the net inflow for the last 12 months to a total of 315,920,” added Mr Reardon.
“While this represents a continued moderation from earlier inflows, it is still well above the pre-pandemic decade average of less than 220,000.
“Moreover, leading indicators have been suggesting that Australian population growth, on the back of overseas migration, is likely to remain elevated compared to historical averages.
“The home building industry in Australia needs stable and reliable population settings, not the bust and boom settings seen over the last five years.
“HIA supports a managed migration system that delivers adequate skilled migrants in construction and building professions and trades to meet Australia’s ongoing housing needs.
“Volatile migration flows lead to undesirable economic, social and business outcomes.
“The Australian government creates housing demand through immigration, while state and local governments are responsible for housing supply and the price of homes reflects their ability to work cooperatively.
“The goal of stable and reliable migration pathways has not been balanced with the removal of restrictions on new home building necessary to meet demand.
“The Australian government’s Home Guarantee Scheme to help first home buyers into the market, and the streamlining of state planning systems, are welcome steps in the right direction.
“With time, more supply will be delivered as a result of recent policy announcements,” concluded Mr Reardon.
Several states and territories are now above their pre-pandemic decade population trajectories, led by Western Australia (+142,300) and Queensland (+137,060), particularly impressive for Western Australia with just half the total population of Queensland.
This is followed by South Australia (+47,520), Tasmania (+15,060), the Australian Capital Territory (+4,850) and the Northern Territory (+2,600). New South Wales (-66,640) and Victoria (-198,510) are still below their pre-pandemic decade population trajectories.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomes the release of BuildSkills Australia’s Housing Workforce Capacity Study, which highlights the need to strengthen Australia’s residential construction workforce to meet the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029.
“Trade shortages loom as a major threat to reaching the Housing Accord target of building 1.2million homes by 2029,” said HIA Executive Director - Future Workforce, Mike Hermon.
“The Victorian government’s Housing Statement is approaching its two-year anniversary. Since that time the Victorian government has implemented some positive reforms, but it is becoming clear that we will not have enough people to build these homes as quickly as we need,” stated HIA Executive Director Victoria, Keith Ryan.
With the focus of the national economic debate on improving productivity following the recent roundtable, HIA used our submission to the Productivity Commission’s Five Pillars reforms to call on the Federal Government to act swiftly to lift productivity and unlock new housing supply.