Australia records nearly 100,000 net permanent and long-term arrivals in February 2026, marking the third-highest February total on record. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals 96,110 net permanent and long-term (NPLT) migrants entered the country, equivalent to about 3,432 people per day. This figure trails only the previous year’s 111,740 and 2024’s 105,460.
Annual Migration Trends
Over the 12 months ending February 2026, net permanent and long-term arrivals total 478,910, approaching record highs of 498,270 in February 2024 and 494,540 in January 2026. Yearly long-term and permanent arrivals near all-time peaks at 1.15 million. While 675,410 individuals departed Australia on a long-term or permanent basis over the same period, arrivals outpace exits. NPLT counts rely on travelers’ stated intentions at the border, such as plans to stay or leave for 12 months or longer.
Government Stance on Migration
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke defends current migration levels, noting that net overseas migration includes returning Australian citizens. “One of the upward pressures on net overseas migration right now will be people who are expats in places like the United Arab Emirates who are making a decision, do they want to stay there or should they now come back,” Burke states. “Moments like that can cause people to have a decision to come back and sometimes that has a very significant impact on net overseas migration.”
Burke attributes recent surges to pandemic distortions rather than policy shifts. “Be in no doubt that immigration numbers, when we first came to office, obviously got too high,” he acknowledges. He explains the spike stems from delayed departures post-COVID, with arrivals like three-year visa holders clustering after border reopenings. Labor has since tightened visa rules, especially for international students, and views migration management as an ongoing priority.
Expert Concerns Over Housing Impact
Economist Leith van Onselen warns that high migration exacerbates housing pressures, particularly for renters. “Australia’s long-suffering renters should be marching in the streets against the federal government,” he asserts.
Institute of Public Affairs senior fellow Dr. Kevin You argues the data undermines claims of controlled migration. “Month-after-month, the overseas-born population of the country is rising in significant and unprecedented numbers,” You says. “With the latest data showing almost a hundred thousand net permanent and long-term overseas arrivals to Australia in February alone, the need for reform to Australia’s broken migration system could not be clearer or more urgent.”
Escalating Rental Shortage
Australia’s rental market tightens further, with national vacancy rates dropping to 1.0 percent in March from 1.1 percent in February. SQM Research reports nearly 3,000 fewer available homes, leaving just 31,732 rentals nationwide. Capital cities face acute shortages: Darwin and Hobart at 0.4 percent vacancy with under 130 listings each; Perth at 0.5 percent; Adelaide at 0.7 percent; Brisbane at 0.8 percent. Sydney and Canberra hold at 1.1 percent, while Melbourne eases slightly to 1.4 percent. Analysts describe conditions in multiple cities as critically low, driving rent increases and intense tenant competition due to persistent supply shortages.
