A new national poll has revealed a dramatic shift in public sentiment on immigration, with a clear majority of Australians now saying the country’s intake is far too high and backing a temporary halt until infrastructure catches up.
Commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs and conducted by Dynata on September 13–14, the survey of 1,007 Australians paints a stark picture of growing unease over mass migration.
A whopping 60 per cent of respondents say Australia’s immigration levels are too high, while just 7 per cent believe they’re too low.
The remaining 33 per cent think the intake is ‘about right’.
The strongest opposition comes from older Australians, with 72 per cent of those aged 65 and over saying the intake is excessive.
But even among younger Australians, the concern is clear: 60 per cent of 18–24-year-olds agree the numbers are too high.
The poll also reveals deepening anxiety over the strain on public services and infrastructure.
A staggering 71 per cent of Australians support a temporary pause on immigration until more schools, hospitals, roads, and housing are built, up from 60 per cent in 2023, marking a sharp rise in concern.
A majority of Australians (60 per cent) think the nation’s annual immigration intake is too high
Meanwhile, the majority of all age groups except ages 25-34 think migration levels are too high
The data also reveals a growing belief that mass migration is eroding Australia’s social cohesion.
Two-thirds of Australians (67 per cent) believe large-scale migration is making the country more divided, with more than a third (37 per cent) saying they strongly agree.
Older Australians are the most likely to hold this view, three in four people aged 65 and over (75 per cent) say migration is driving social division.
The survey also exposes a clear gender gap.
Men are slightly more likely than women to support a pause on migration (73 per cent compared with 69 per cent) and to believe it is causing division (70 per cent versus 65 per cent).
The findings come as Australia records its highest-ever levels of migration.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, net permanent and long-term arrivals reached 379,870 between January and August, six per cent higher than the previous record set in 2024.
Over the full 12 months to August, net arrivals climbed to 467,410,. another all-time high.
In the last 12 months to August, net arrivals reached a record 467,410, according to ABS data
August alone saw 31,450 net arrivals, the second-highest August figure ever recorded.
Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the IPA, said the results show Australians are ‘deeply concerned’ about the impact of mass migration on their quality of life.
‘Australians are not anti-immigration,’ he said.
‘But they are demanding a sensible pause so we can catch up on the basics, housing, roads, schools, and hospitals.’
The poll comes amid growing tensions in the Liberal Party over mass migration.
Earlier in October, opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie quit the front bench because of a disagreement over climate change and immigration policy.
The two issues are emblematic of a broader split between MPs who believe the Liberals should shift toward the political centre, and those who want the party to pursue a more conservative agenda.
The immigration headaches for the Liberals began when firebrand Liberal Jacinta Nampijinpa Price made disparaging remarks about Indian-Australians which eventually led to her sacking.
In an ABC interview, Senator Price claimed that ‘large numbers’ of Indian migrants were being allowed into Australia because ‘the community votes for Labor.’ The comments sent federal and state colleagues into damage control and spurred Ms Ley to go on a multicultural listening tour across Australia.
