Australia's Future Depends on Newcomers: Easy Lessons From the Intergenerational Report for Indonesian Workers

News · 2026-09-28 · 4 min read

Every three years, the federal government in Australia looks 40 years into the future. It asks what the country will look like. The newest Intergenerational Report (IGR) is very clear on one point. Australia's future growth relies heavily on people who decide to move there.

Fewer Births, But Still a Bigger Population

Australian families are having fewer children. The IGR projects that the fertility rate will drop to 1.34 births per woman by 2065–66. The previous report assumed 1.62. By the 2060s, deaths are expected to be higher than births for the first time.

But the population is still expected to grow to 39.3 million by 2065–66. How? Through net overseas migration. The report assumes this will average 235,000 people a year over the long term. The report says this gives Australia "demographic resilience". Compare this with Germany, Italy and South Korea, where deaths are already higher than births.

The Value of Young Migrants

According to the report, a recent migrant has a median age of around 26. For the people already living in Australia, it is 38. This age difference is a big reason why Australia's working-age population (15 to 64) is expected to keep growing. In many similar economies, that group is getting smaller.

The country is still getting older overall:

By 2062–63, the median age is expected to rise from 38.6 to 45.
Australians aged 65+ will almost double in number.
Australians aged 85+ will almost triple in number.

When there are more older people, more health and aged care is needed. Those jobs must be filled by someone.

Sectors That May Need Workers

The IGR describes several big changes in the economy. Each change points to skills that Australia will need:

Care work. An older population creates demand for nurses, aged care workers, allied health professionals and disability support staff.
Clean energy. Australia has a net zero target of 2050. It hopes to become a "renewable energy superpower" through critical minerals, green hydrogen and green metals. This needs engineers, technicians, trades and project specialists.
AI and digital technology. The report says the results of artificial intelligence are still uncertain. But AI will change which skills are worth the most and how people do their work.
Services. Growth is expected to keep moving towards services. This favours professional, technical and people-facing skills.

A Strong Economy With Some Pressures

Mainly because of ageing, growth is expected to slow from about 3% a year to about 2%. Still, by 2065–66 the economy is projected to be more than twice as big as it is now, and real per capita income is expected to rise by 55%. Life expectancy is forecast to reach 89.5 years for women and 86.1 for men.

For people thinking about migrating, this describes a stable and wealthy country with a strong public health system and long lives. The report is also honest about the challenges. These include housing affordability for younger people and higher government spending.

Remember: Migration Levels Can Change

The figure of 235,000 is an assumption. It is not a promise. The Opposition and One Nation have both said they would aim for much lower migration levels if they win government. Migration settings, visa categories and priorities can change when governments and budgets change.

That is why good timing and good preparation are important. Rules and occupation lists change. Using current information and sending a well-prepared application can make a real difference.

How Indonesian Workers Can Get Ready

If you are looking at jobs in Australia for Indonesians, the report supports a few simple actions:

Think about future demand, not only today's jobs. The skills needed now may change later. Look at the areas where the report sees long-term need, like care, energy and technology.
Rules can change. Always check the current visa requirements. Do not rely on old rules.
Begin your preparation early. Skills assessments, English tests and documents all take time.

A good start is an English-language CV and, if your visa or employer asks for it, an English test such as IELTS or PTE. If you need a police certificate, you can request an SKCK from the Indonesian National Police. Make sure Indonesian-language documents are translated into English when the visa rules require it. Step by step, you can be ready when the right chance comes.

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