Is immigration worsening the housing crisis?

Australia's facing a worsening housing crisis. At the same time, the number of overseas migrant arrivals is at its highest ever since records began. Is increased migration driving up housing and rental prices?

The impact of migrants on the housing crisis is small, despite what some suggest. Source: Getty / Charlie Rogers

It might seem like migration is driving up housing prices, but experts say it's not that simple.

Emeritus Professor of Demography at the Australian National University, Peter McDonald told SBS Examines this perspective could be a distraction.

"When commentators and politicians attribute all problems in the housing market to high immigration, by definition, they're diverting attention away from the wide range of policy approaches that are required to deal with the housing crisis," Prof McDonald said.

"It is a crisis, and it needs to be addressed. But by just saying that it's due to immigration: 'drop immigration and it's all going to go away,' well, it's not going to go away."

This episode of SBS Examines looks at the drivers of rising housing prices, and the impact of blaming migrants for the crisis.