Australia’s migration debate overlooks older workers as a labour source
The article argues that Australia’s political debate wrongly treats high immigration as the only way to fill labour shortages, while overlooking the extra demand migrants create for housing, healthcare and infrastructure. It accepts that Australia needs skilled migration, but says mass migration has not resolved longstanding skills shortages or the challenges posed by an ageing population.
As an alternative, it highlights increasing workforce participation among Australians aged over 65. Nearly five million Australians are over 65, but only 16% participate in the workforce, compared with more than 26% in New Zealand; matching that rate could add just over 500,000 workers. The article attributes the lower participation partly to Australia’s pension rules, under which payments are reduced as earnings rise, alongside ordinary income taxes.
- Mass migration does not automatically solve labour shortages.
- Older Australians face financial disincentives to keep working.
- Higher senior participation could add over 500,000 workers.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘Australia must have high immigration OR ELSE!’: There’s a sick lie at the heart of our migration debate. But there is another way: PVO”.