14 April 2026
Immigration’s role in offsetting population ageing, its post-pandemic scale, and its economic costs and benefits.
This MEF explored these questions with insights from economists at Australia’s immigration program has become increasingly contentious, with “mass migration” blamed for housing pressures and social cohesion challenges. Net Overseas Migration has fluctuated sharply, from around 250,000 pre-pandemic, to a net outflow during COVID-19, then rebounding above 500,000 before settling near 300,000 last year.
This MEF also explores impacts on housing and identifies reforms to maximise national benefits while reducing costs.
The following three speakers presented at the forum to address these questions:
- “Should Australia shift to a ‘stocks’- rather than ‘flows’-based approach to migration policy?” – Emeritus Professor Peter McDonald AO, Australian National University
- “More People or Better Outcomes? Immigration and Living Standards” – Associate Professor Andrew Clarke, University of Melbourne
- “Understanding How Immigration Influences Innovation” – Professor Paul Jensen, Melbourne Institute
All papers and slides can be viewed in the Papers section of this website