New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that Australia welcomed 96,110 net permanent and long-term arrivals in February 2026, averaging about 3,432 people per day. This figure ranks as the third-highest February intake on record, trailing only 111,740 in 2025 and 105,460 in 2024.

Annual Migration Trends Near Record Levels

Over the 12 months ending February 2026, net permanent and long-term arrivals totaled 478,910, approaching previous peaks of 498,270 in February 2024 and 494,540 in January 2026. Total long-term and permanent arrivals for the year reached 1.15 million. While 675,410 individuals departed Australia on a long-term or permanent basis during this period, the arrivals outpaced outflows.

Net permanent and long-term data tracks individuals based on their stated intentions at the border, such as plans to stay or leave for 12 months or more.

Government Defends Migration Policy

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke addressed concerns over migration levels on Wednesday. He emphasized that net overseas migration includes returning Australian citizens, including expats from locations like the United Arab Emirates deciding to relocate home.

“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 stated. “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 attributed recent surges to pandemic-related disruptions rather than policy changes. “Be in no doubt that immigration numbers, when we first came to office, obviously got too high,” he noted. The minister highlighted delayed departures post-COVID border closures and a concentrated influx of three-year visa holders.

Labor has since adjusted visa rules, particularly for international students, and continues to monitor migration flows.

Experts Warn of Housing Strain

Economist Leith van Onselen warns that the migration influx exacerbates housing pressures, especially for renters. “Australia’s long-suffering renters should be marching in the streets against the federal government,” he said.

Institute of Public Affairs senior fellow Dr. Kevin You described the data as evidence that migration remains uncontrolled. “Month-after-month, the overseas-born population of the country is rising in significant and unprecedented numbers,” You stated. “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.”

Rental Market Tightens Further

Australia’s rental vacancy rate dropped to 1.0 percent in March, down from 1.1 percent in February, leaving just 31,732 properties available nationwide—a decline of nearly 3,000 homes.

Conditions remain dire in major cities: Darwin and Hobart report 0.4 percent vacancy rates with fewer than 130 listings each; Perth stands at 0.5 percent; Adelaide at 0.7 percent; Brisbane at 0.8 percent. Sydney and Canberra hold at 1.1 percent, while Melbourne fares slightly better at 1.4 percent, though pressures mount across all regions. Analysts describe several markets as critically low, driving rent increases and intense tenant competition due to persistent supply shortages.