Why Australia Relies on Migrant Workers More Than Most People Realise

Here’s something that might surprise you.

More than a third of everyone currently working in Australia was born overseas. One in three workers. And in our capital cities, that number climbs to almost one in two.

Now, I know the immigration debate has been running hot — in the media, in parliament, around the kitchen table. But most of that conversation is missing the data.

And when you see the actual numbers, they tell a very different story to the one you’re hearing in the headlines.

I have today’s show will be one of those conversations that genuinely changes the way you see things. Because once you understand how deeply Australia’s economy and your daily life depend on migrant workers, you can’t un-know it.

And as property investors, understanding where the workers are, where they’re settling, and where the critical shortages are biting hardest… that matters enormously for how we think about housing demand, infrastructure, and long-term growth.

In this episode, Simon Kuestenmacher talks about how Australia’s population trends are reshaping property, business, and long-term planning.

We unpack why migrant labour remains essential across key industries, from healthcare and construction to aged care.

We look at the numbers behind workforce shortages and how they influence housing demand in the suburbs and regions.

We discuss why data matters more than headlines when assessing migration policy, affordability, and investment strategy.

We explore how ageing demographics and targeted migration could affect future economic growth and property opportunities.

Takeaways   

• Migration keeps essential industries running by filling shortages in healthcare, aged care, and construction.
• Regional migration incentives can support housing demand outside major capital cities.
• Ageing population trends will intensify pressure on labour supply and care services.
• Foreign-born workers already underpin Australia’s most critical service sectors and infrastructure delivery.
• Skilled migration can help ease shortages without relying solely on short-term labour fixes.
• Permanent migration pathways create more stable communities and stronger long-term housing demand.
• Automation may reduce some transportshortages, butwon’t replace every skilled role. 
• Demographic data helps investors spot where future population growth will support property values.
• Temporary visa settings can distort workforce planning and delay business certainty.
• Australia’s economic resilience depends on aligning migration policy with labour market reality.

About Simon Kuestenmacher  

Simon Kuestenmacher is co-founder and Director – The Demographics Group. 

Simon is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters and a columnist for The New Daily and The Australian newspapers.    

He ranks as one of the world’s Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. If you can’t get enough of the kind of data that explains how the world works, make sure to follow Simon on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) or any of his other social channels. 

Click here for a media enquiry or if you would like to book Simon Kuestenmacher for a speaking engagement. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others. 

About Michael Yardney 

Michael Yardney – founder Metropole Property Strategists has been voted one of Australia’s 50 most influential Thought Leaders. 

While he is best known as a property expert, Michael is also Australia’s leading expert in the psychology of success and wealth creation. 

Michael is a #1 best selling author of 9 books and frequently challenges traditional finance advice with innovative ideas on property investment, personal finance and wealth creation. 

Follow Michael on LinkedIn or Instagram 

Are you interested in property investment – let the team at Metropole build you a Strategic Property Plan to help give you clarity, direction and wealth – producing results. 

Also, please subscribe to my other podcast, Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast. Just look for it wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: