One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has argued Australia should stop bringing in overseas migrants for jobs such as Uber driving, nail services and dog walking, saying the country’s visa intake should be more tightly focused on essential skills.
Speaking to News24 host Laura Jayes, Hanson claimed Australia was struggling under current migration levels and called for the annual permanent migration program to be limited to 130,000 people.
‘It’s been an absolute scam, we’ve allowed these people in,’ she said.
Hanson questioned why Australia was accepting large numbers of migrants she said did not match the nation’s workforce priorities, adding: ‘We don’t need any more Uber drivers, nail technicians, dog walkers.’
Asked whether she supported changing the skilled occupation list used in visa approvals, Hanson said the system should prioritise professions such as doctors, nurses and engineers. ‘The skills list. Very, very important. Who is going to ruin the country? Doctors, nurses, engineers – those people that are going to benefit our country.’
She said reducing the pace of migration would help relieve mounting pressure on Australia’s housing market and public infrastructure.
‘At the moment, we are overwhelmed. We need to have a breather,’ Hanson said.
She added that the proposed 130,000 cap should not necessarily be permanent, saying it could be reassessed annually: ‘I’m not saying 130,000 permanently on the books forever. Let’s review it every year.’
Pauline Hanson (pictured) called for permanent migration to be reduced to 130,000 annually
The federal government’s 2026-27 permanent Migration Program remains set at 185,000 places, with most visas allocated to skilled migrants.
Under current settings, 132,240 places, about 71 per cent of the program, are earmarked for skilled migration, including employer-sponsored and independent skilled visa holders.
A further 52,460 places go to family visas, while 300 spots are reserved for people in special circumstances.
Hanson argued the program was failing to deliver enough workers in fields facing the most pressing shortages, despite the focus on skilled migration.
‘Doctors, nurses, engineers, those people that are going to benefit our country,’ she said.
The One Nation leader said Australia should prioritise migrants whose skills directly boost the economy and help address workforce shortages, especially in sectors like healthcare, engineering and construction.
Hanson claimed too few migrants were entering occupations critical to solving the housing crisis, citing figures she said showed only a small proportion of arrivals worked in the building sector.
‘Only 1,800 were in the construction industry,’ she said, arguing Australia was not attracting enough tradespeople and builders to meet rising demand for housing.
Hanson said: ‘Why bring in so many people that don’t fit the needs that we want in Australia? We don’t need any more Uber drivers, nail technicians, dog walkers’ (stock image)
Hanson also took aim at Australia’s international student program, questioning why some foreign students could bring family members with them while studying.
‘You’re here to study. If you don’t want to be away from your partner or family, do an online course,’ Hanson said.
‘But no, they’re allowed to bring in their families. That’s a strain on our infrastructure.’
Hanson went on to attack the rising number of people on bridging visas, arguing governments had been too soft on visa overstayers.
‘We’ve got 432,000 people on bridging visas in Australia. Why?’ she said.
Pressed on whether that would mean mass deportations, Hanson called for a tougher approach towards those who remain in Australia after their visas expire.
‘There’s between 75,000 and 100,000 people in the country illegally at the moment,’ she said.
‘They had a visa that was given to them, they’ve overstayed.’
Pauline Hanson criticised the high number of bridging visas, around 430,000
Hanson claimed some visa holders were using the refugee system to stay longer.
‘People are saying, ‘I want to claim refugee status because now I’ve changed. I’m actually a homosexual and I can’t go back to my country,’ or for political reasons,’ she said.
‘We’ve got to get tougher on these people as well. The country’s suffering by it. The taxpayers have had enough of this.’
Despite her push for lower permanent migration, Hanson said she would still allow backpackers and other temporary visa holders to come to Australia.
‘We would still allow for backpackers, those workers coming to Australia, those ones that will be here for a short period of time,’ she said.
