Most Australian voters now want a pause on immigration until the housing crisis eases, and the latest national polling shows this mood is reshaping the federal political contest.

Voters link migration and housing

A Resolve Political Monitor survey of 1,800 voters found that just over half believe Australia’s current immigration intake is too high, with the dominant concern being that housing supply has not kept pace with population growth and property has become unaffordable for many households. Among those who feel migration is too high, most nominated a shortage of homes as their main reason, while others pointed to growing pressure on health and education services.

Australia is currently admitting hundreds of thousands of new arrivals each year through temporary and permanent programs, including around 316,000 migrants annually and 185,000 people receiving permanent visas. In contrast, about one‑third of respondents felt the current intake is about right, a small minority believed it is too low, and around one in ten were undecided.

Political winners and losers

The poll suggests the housing–immigration link is hurting the federal Coalition more than Labor, with the Coalition’s primary vote sliding to a record low of about a quarter of voters. Labor’s primary support sits in the mid‑30s, while One Nation has reached a record high in the mid‑teens, reflecting growing backing for parties calling for tighter migration settings.

On a two‑party preferred basis, Labor holds a clear lead over the Coalition at roughly 55 to 45, representing a modest swing towards the government since November. This shift comes after weeks of internal Coalition turmoil, including disputes over climate and net‑zero policy that have dominated its recent political narrative.

Leadership and approval ratings

Despite economic pressures and cost‑of‑living anger, Anthony Albanese remains ahead as preferred prime minister, with support in the low‑40s compared with the mid‑20s for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Albanese’s personal approval has edged higher, with just under half of voters now rating his performance as good or very good.

Interestingly, Ley’s own approval rating has also improved despite her party’s slump, suggesting some voters distinguish between her leadership and broader Coalition infighting. Both major leaders are navigating a landscape in which voters are demanding practical solutions on housing and migration rather than internal party battles.

Implications for immigration policy

The polling intensifies pressure on both major parties to demonstrate how they will balance population growth with housing supply, infrastructure and essential services. While Labor currently benefits from stronger headline numbers, rising support for One Nation underlines the political risk if mainstream parties are seen as ignoring community anxiety about rapid migration.

The Coalition is expected to unveil a new migration policy within days as it tries to win back disillusioned voters and stem defections to right‑wing minor parties. For multicultural broadcasters and community leaders, these trends highlight the importance of nuanced public debate that recognises both Australia’s long history as a migrant nation and the urgent need to address housing and service pressures fairly for new arrivals and long‑term residents alike.