This story looks at the concerns raised during the “March for Australia” rallies and asks whether the claims about migration, housing and employment match what is actually happening in Australia. In the lead‑up to the rallies, much of the online discussion seemed to focus heavily on Asian migrants, which made many people in those communities including me feel as though we were at the center of the debate. As an international student, I wanted to begin by understanding our place in Australia’s broader migration picture before responding to the fears expressed during the protests.
When the rallies took place on August 31, 2025, the signs and slogans were framed as a protest about national issues. But for many Asian people living in Australia, myself included, the message felt far more personal. Even though the events were peaceful, the atmosphere around them made it clear who the frustration was often directed at. Asian faces appeared frequently in online discussions, comment sections and political debates leading up to the march. That is why, on that day, I stayed home not because anyone told me to, but because I felt the weight of being visibly “other.”
That experience made me ask an important question: Are international students, especially Asian students, really causing the problems being raised, or are we being caught in a much bigger conversation?
To explore this, I turned to the data behind the three main concerns raised during the rallies: international student numbers, housing affordability and employment. And because I am an international student myself, I chose to start with the group I belong to.
Before discussing housing or jobs, it’s important to understand who international students actually are and how long we’ve been part of Australia’s education system.
The data shows a clear pattern:
International students have been coming to Australia for nearly two decades, with numbers rising steadily long before any recent political debates. The only major drop happened during COVID‑19, when borders closed. When Australia reopened, student numbers simply returned to their long‑term trend. This shows that international students are not a sudden or unexpected “wave.” We are part of a long, stable pattern that Australia itself built and relied on.
Hover over the chart to explore exact numbers. Use the buttons and slider to zoom into different time periods.
Source: Department of Education, Australian Government (2025). International student monthly summary and data tables. PRISMS. https://www.education.gov.au/international-education-data-and-research/international-student-monthly-summary-and-data-tables
Many of the faces shown in discussions about migration are Asian which is why the rallies felt especially targeted for people like me.
But the data tells a different story:
Asian students have been one of the largest and most consistent groups in Australian education for decades. We are not new, and we are not unusual. We are part of the fabric of the international student community. Highlighting Sri Lanka my home reminds me that behind every number is someone who traveled far, trusted this country, and hoped to build a future here.
Hover over each bar to see exact numbers.
Source: Department of Education, Australian Government (2025). International students studying in Australia between 2005 and 2025. PRISMS. https://www.education.gov.au/international-education-data-and-research/international-students-studying-australia-between-2005-and-2025
Another important part of the story is what international students bring to Australia. International education is now Australia’s fourth‑largest export, worth $53.6 billion in 2024–25. Students contribute through tuition, rent, groceries, transport, and everyday spending. This money flows directly into local communities.The data shows that tuition income from Asian countries has grown steadily and recovered strongly after COVID. This is not a burden it is a major economic pillar.
Hover over each line to see exact values. Click countries in the legend to show or hide them.
Source: Department of Education, Australian Government (2025). Education export income — financial year. https://www.education.gov.au/international-education-data-and-research/education-export-income-financial-year
One of the strongest claims during the rallies was that migrants are responsible for rising rents.But when we look at the numbers, the pattern doesn’t support that idea. The ACT received fewer than 5,000 migrants yet has the highest rents in the country.WA received far fewer migrants than NSW yet rents grew 75%, the highest in Australia. Housing experts consistently point to under building, zoning restrictions, and a shortage of affordable homes as the real causes.
The bubble chart makes this clear:
States with fewer migrants often have higher rents. This suggests the housing crisis is a structural issue not something caused by international students or migrants.
Hover over each bubble to explore the figures.
Source 1: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2025). Latest insights into the rental market. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/latest-insights-rental-market
Source 2: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2025). Overseas migration 2024-25. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/overseas-migration/latest-release
Another concern raised during the rallies was that migrants “take jobs.”But the data shows the opposite pattern.When borders closed in 2020 and migration fell to negative 85,000, unemployment increased. When migration surged to record highs in 2022 and 2023, unemployment fell to its lowest level in nearly 50 years. This suggests that migrants tend to arrive when the economy already needs more workers not when jobs are scarce.
Source 1: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2026). Labour force, Australia — Table 001, April 2026. Unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, persons. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia/latest-release
Source 2: Australian Bureau of Statistics (2025). Overseas migration 2023–24. Net migration calculated as arrivals minus departures. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/overseas-migration/latest-release
The rallies made many Asian students feel singled out, even if that wasn’t the intention of every protester. But when we look at the data behind the concerns raised student numbers, housing, and employment a clearer picture emerges.International students are not the cause of Australia’s biggest challenges. We are part of a long‑standing community, a major economic contributor, and a group that fills gaps in education and the workforce. The real issues housing shortages, labor market shifts, and long‑term policy decisions are far more complex than any single group. By looking at the data, we can move the conversation away from fear and towards understanding.