The Albanese government is set to unveil a major overhaul of Australia's migration system, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke due to deliver a National Press Club speech titled "Who Arrives, Who Stays, Who Leaves". The announcement, delayed by more than a month amid cabinet disagreement over its scope, comes as Labor faces mounting political pressure over record population growth, housing shortages and strained infrastructure, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson capitalising on public concern to push her own more radical migration policy.

Labor is reportedly planning to cut net overseas migration from around 305,000 to 225,000 within two years, after repeatedly exceeding its own forecasts. Measures under consideration include tougher deportation efforts targeting Australia's estimated 77,000 unlawful non-citizens, cuts to partner and backpacker visas, curbs on visa-hopping, tighter appeal rules and restrictions on bridging visas. This follows One Nation's proposal to cut temporary migrant numbers by 750,000 over three years, while the Coalition is separately developing a policy linking migration levels to housebuilding rates. Net overseas migration has added roughly 1.4 million people to Australia's population since Labor took office in May 2022, though government ministers argue much of this is demand-driven and beyond direct control.