When considering the pros and cons of immigration more generally, a
majority of Australians remain positive, but the balance of attitudes
appears to be shifting. In 2019, 67% agree that ‘overall, immigration has
a positive impact on the economy’, 65% say that ‘immigrants strengthen the
country because of their hard work and talents’, and 62% agree that
‘accepting immigrants from many different countries makes Australia
stronger’. However, each of these results is lower than in 2016 (six
points, seven points and ten points, respectively).
The pressure on cities and infrastructure may be driving this shift in
attitudes in 2019, with almost three-quarters (71%) of Australians saying
that ‘Australian cities are already too crowded’. However, a majority of
Australians (59%) reject the idea that ‘immigrants take away jobs from
other Australians’, although fewer disagreed than in 2016. The population
is divided on the question of whether ‘immigrants are a burden on our
social welfare system’ (48% agreeing, 50% disagreeing).
Younger Australians seem to be more positive about the benefits of
immigration. Three-quarters of 18–44 year olds (75%) say that ‘immigration
has a positive impact on the economy of Australia’, compared with 59% of
Australians over 45 years. There is a similar split on the question of
whether ‘immigrants strengthen the country because of their hard work and
talents’ (75:55). However, far more older Australians (58% of those aged
over 45 compared with 35% of those aged 18–44), see immigrants as ‘a
burden on our social welfare system’.