Business leaders warn migration cuts could spark skill shortages in aged care and construction

Business figures including Esha Oberoi of Leora Healthcare, Brad Duggan of Metricon and Graham Turner of Flight Centre warned that a sharp reduction in Australia’s migration intake would leave vital sectors without enough skilled staff. Oberoi highlighted that over 45 % of her 800-person workforce are visa holders and warned of a looming demand for 400,000 aged-care workers as the over-65 population rises. Duggan pointed out that many tradespeople in residential construction come from migrant backgrounds and that cuts could hamper housing demand.

The latest budget forecasts a net overseas migration drop from roughly 300,000 to 245,000, while One Nation’s Pauline Hanson proposes a permanent intake of 130,000. Entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan argued the debate should focus on attracting migrants with specific skills rather than lowering overall numbers. All three urged policymakers to move the discussion away from emotive numbers toward concrete workforce needs.