Labor’s housing and rental crisis is set to worsen in WA, with the latest ABS population data revealing net migration to the state increased at the highest rate in Australia for a second consecutive quarter.

The ABS population figures for the March 2023 quarter confirm WA recorded the largest population growth of any state or territory at 2.8%.

In the three months to the end of March, 26,005 people migrated to the West – 18,096 of them from overseas.

This was up from the previous quarter, when the state’s population jumped by 19,198.

The annual increase in WA’s population from March 2022 to March 2023 was 78,342.

52,664, or 67%, of those new arrivals came from overseas.

The national increase over this period was 454,400, with WA receiving 17% of international arrivals.

This figure is an increase from the 10% of international arrivals WA absorbed in the time frame covered by the previous ABS data release.

Senator Dean Smith said the new ABS data was concerning, as the significant spike in new international arrivals would put more pressure on a housing and rental market already stretched to its limit.

“What would normally be cause for celebration, given the important contribution immigration makes to our economy and society, will remain a major concern until Labor delivers a plan to properly support both those arriving and those already here in WA,” Senator Smith said.

“In its last Budget, Labor committed to 1.5 million people coming to Australia over five years.”

“The Albanese Government has totally inadequate plans to provide these new Australians the support they deserve on arrival, including housing.”

“Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund is only expected to deliver 30,000 homes in that same five-year period.”

“WA households are doing it tough in Labor’s cost of living crisis – with high rents, a housing shortage and interest rates punishing both renters and homeowners.”

“And the foremost issue is where they will live.”

As is the case across much of Australia, the WA population boom comes at a time of significant housing, rental and cost of living stress.

Data recently published in The Australian revealed that national rental vacancy rates fell to their lowest level on record in August this year, compounded by fewer homes being built and investors leaving the property market.

At below 1%, WA had the tightest rental market of any state along with South Australia.

According to the same article, national rental affordability was the lowest in three decades, with a median-income household, earning $105,000, only able to afford 13% of properties.

Nor are leading housing industry figures optimistic about the future – including Labor’s HAFF initiative.

Last week, they flagged concerns including zoning and developmental delays, skilled trade shortages and record high interest rates.

“This population data reflects what we’ve always known – that WA is the best place to live and work in Australia,” Senator Smith said.

“However, the unplanned and un-modelled immigration we are now seeing poses a threat to the living standards that make WA what it is, including overcrowding of schools, hospitals, and public infrastructure.”