Vietnamese workers: what would fewer migrants cost Australia, and why does it matter to you?

Tips · 2026-09-22 · 3 min read

Some people in Australia want to bring in fewer migrants. If you are a Vietnamese worker with a plan to work there, you may feel worried. This article explains why the government's own long-term figures tell a different story.

Why are there fewer young workers?

A country needs babies to stay young. The replacement level is 2.1 births per woman. Australia has been below this number for half a century. Today the number is around 1.5. Official projections say it may fall to roughly 1.34 over the next four decades.

In the mid-2060s, more people are expected to die each year than are born. This would be a first in Australia's modern history. The federal government has said it will not bring back baby-bonus style payments. So migration is the main way left to grow the number of workers.

What is the dependency ratio?

This is a simple count. It shows how many people aged 65 and over there are for every 100 people of working age. Workers pay tax. Their tax helps to pay for hospitals, pensions and aged care.

Today the ratio is around 27 per 100. With standard migration, it is expected to reach 40 by the 2060s. With lower migration, it would reach 43 per 100. That means fewer workers for each older person.

What would it cost?

The government's models show two big effects if migration is lower.

The underlying budget deficit grows from 1.8% of GDP to 2.4% by 2065-66.
Government debt rises nearly 10 percentage points higher as a share of GDP.

So a smaller intake does not make money problems go away. It can make them bigger.

What does this mean for you?

Australia's planning assumes net overseas migration of well over 200,000 people a year. Young migrants of working age pay tax now. This is why skilled migration is seen as a national priority, not a small extra.

Please remember, this is not a promise of a visa or a job. Each role has its own rules. Good preparation is still your best tool.

Prepare in simple steps

Find out if your trade or degree needs a skills assessment. Vietnamese vocational certificates and degrees are usually assessed again abroad.
When a police certificate is requested, Vietnamese citizens usually need the Judicial Record Certificate No. 2 (Phiếu lý lịch tư pháp số 2).
Take IELTS or PTE if your visa or employer asks for it.
Get certified English translations of your documents when the rules ask for them.
Read official information on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Please stay safe

Work only with licensed organisations and real employers. Do not pay an unlicensed broker. Be careful with anyone who asks you for money upfront to secure a job or a visa.

Keep learning, keep your documents ready, and keep a calm heart. Good plans are built on facts.

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