New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows Australia’s Net Overseas Migration (NOM) has fallen to 301,000, down more than 45 per cent from the post-Covid peak in 2023.

Annual NOM to December 2025 was down 9 per cent from the previous year.

NOM for the first half of this financial year is 145,000, which is less than half the Budget forecast of 295,000 for 2025-26.

NOM from temporary visa holders fell 10 per cent over the year and is now less than half the 2023 post-COVID peak.

International student numbers are also continuing to decline, demonstrating the impact of stronger integrity settings in the international education sector.

NOM from international students is down 10 per cent over the year and has now reached pre-COVID levels.

Visitor NOM continues to fall, reflecting policy changes to reduce visa hopping.

Departures of Working Holiday Makers are increasing, which is expected as cohorts who arrived after border reopening move on and leave Australia.

Quotes attributable to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke

“As today’s data shows, we are bringing migration down with a sensible, measured approach to provide the skilled workers Australia needs, while addressing exploitation and rorts.

“The numbers of temporary visa holders and international students also continue to fall, as we prioritise the skills that we need to care for our sick and elderly and build homes.”