I don't get the whole immigration is using up the home market theory. Firstly immigration numbers are lower now than they were under the Lnp, as Labor dropped the number to 190,000 for 2024 intake. A large percentage of immigrants have been in Oz for years and already housed. So many people confuse and misrepresent this issue of immigration, as the above comments are the facts of it.
On migration, which is a different beast to immigration, the numbers are higher than normal due to covid and the influx or people coming in and none leaving to reduce the average. I.m not convinced that migration is the cause of the housing shortage, in fact I haven't seen or heard anybody in Govt or elsewhere saying migration is the reason. Migration is short term, it's tourism, it's students, it's backpackers and seasonal workers. Other than maybe some students sharing a rental, I don;t see how the other categories are a demand on houses. Hostel's yes, hotels yes, B@B's yes, camper vans yes, the purchase or leasing a house to rent just doesn't cut it.
The shortage is more likely caused by the lack of supply due to covid and the shortage of materials it caused, therefore sending prices sky high and so many builders to the wall. This has eased now but there's obviously catch up required.
Migration is not the cause. Thats a furphy by those who are looking for reasons to have a baseless moan and groan about the current Govt..
