Thousands rally in Australia as ‘March for Australia’ protests ignite nationwide debate

(ADELAIDE) Thousands turned out across Australia capital cities on Sunday for the “March for Australia,” a coordinated wave of anti-immigration rallies that drew an estimated 45,000 participants nationwide on August 31, 2025. Demonstrations were held in every capital and several regional centers, with the largest turnouts reported in Adelaide and Perth. Police separated opposing groups in multiple cities, and officers made arrests tied to public order offenses, assaults on police, and weapon-related charges.

Organizers framed the rallies as a protest against what they call “mass migration,” urging a sharp cut to intake. Slogans such as “love it or leave it” and “time to put Australia first” featured widely, along with Australian flags and nationalist symbols. The events were promoted by far-right and nationalist groups, including Neo-Nazis, and endorsed by political figures including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, Senator Malcolm Roberts, and MP Bob Katter. In Sydney, nationalist figure Bec Freedom played a key organizing role.

Counter-protests met the rallies in several locations, with Melbourne seeing the most tense scenes. Police deployed riot squads, used pepper spray, and made arrests to hold back clashes between opposing groups. State police said their priority was to keep groups apart and maintain public safety.

Officials in Canberra condemned the rallies’ tone toward migrants, stressing the need for social cohesion. Federal leaders also addressed claims spread by rally organizers about daily migrant arrivals. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has disputed widely shared figures such as “1,500 migrants arriving daily,” saying the numbers don’t match official data. While the government has been reviewing migration settings through 2024–2025 and signaled some tightening in skilled and family streams, there has been no move to cut intake to the level protesters demand. Updated migration caps for 2025 are due later this year.

Scale, locations, and police response

Authorities and organizers reported the following turnouts and actions across the country on the day of the March for Australia:

• Adelaide: About 15,000 participants; 3 arrests.
• Perth: About 10,000 participants; 3 arrests.
• Melbourne: Around 5,000 across multiple rallies; riot squad deployed; multiple arrests after clashes.
• Hobart: Around 300; riot police mobilized; no arrests reported.
• Other centers: Events also took place in Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Cairns, and Launceston.

Police said arrests included charges for:

• Assaulting officers
• Wearing disguises to avoid identification
• Carrying prohibited items

Permits were obtained for most gatherings, and police coordinated routes and barriers to limit contact between opposing groups. Officers urged the public to follow directions and avoid confrontation zones as counter-protests formed near rally sites.

Community groups reported a rise in anxiety among migrants following the rallies and the heavy online focus on anti-immigration messages. Indian community leaders, along with other migrant advocates, voiced worry about possible targeting and urged stronger reporting systems for hate incidents.

Important: police priority was to keep groups apart and maintain public safety. Members of the public were urged to avoid confrontation zones and follow official directions.

Policy context and what changes next

The rallies come during a review of migration settings, with official announcements expected in the next parliamentary session. The government says it supports a balanced program that meets workforce needs and keeps families together while protecting social stability.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, business groups and mainstream parties largely back managed migration to:

• Support economic growth
• Address aging demographics

This is despite ongoing debates over housing pressure and service capacity.

Key points about government direction and likely outcomes:

1. Officials have signaled adjustments to skilled and family pathways, not a broad shutdown.
2. There is no evidence of a fast-track cut aligned with rally demands.
3. The review will likely refine:
   • occupational lists
   • processing priorities
   • integrity measures

Updated migration caps for 2025 are expected later this year; the government has not released final numbers.

Organizers say they’ll keep marching if changes fall short. Counter-protest groups plan to keep mobilizing, arguing the March for Australia rallies promote division. Experts who study extremist networks say far-right groups are tapping into stress over housing costs and inflation to recruit.

Media coverage and practical impacts

• Media outlets 10 News and 9 News focused on the size of the protests, the role of far-right groups, and the violent clashes in Melbourne.
• For migrants and multicultural communities, practical impacts already seen include:
  • increased calls to helplines
  • added worry for families in public spaces
  • discussions about school and workplace safety policies

Local councils reported extra requests for community safety patrols near rally routes and popular gathering spots. Advocacy organizations encouraged bystanders to record and report hate incidents, and urged schools to brief students on safe travel during large demonstrations.

Government officials advised residents to rely on verified data when discussing migration numbers and to use official sites for policy updates. The Department of Home Affairs provides regular bulletins on visa settings, intake planning, and integrity steps. For those seeking current rules, intake targets, or reporting channels, see the Department of Home Affairs.

Arguments from both sides

Protesters argue:

• Current migration levels strain housing and wages.
• A lower intake would ease rental costs and reduce pressure on public services.

Counter-protesters argue:

• Migration has contributed to decades of nation-building.
• Scapegoating newcomers won’t fix long-running problems in planning and supply.

Economic context:

• Economists note that migration can help fill skill gaps and support tax bases, while stressing that housing supply and infrastructure must keep pace.

On-the-ground scenes

At street level, Sunday’s events brought the policy arguments into sharp focus:

• In Melbourne, police lines held back crowds as chants from both sides grew louder.
• In Adelaide and Perth, organizers largely stuck to planned routes and speeches but faced vocal pushback from counter-protest groups nearby.
• In Hobart, a visible police presence kept groups apart despite heated exchanges.

As of late Sunday, there were no signs of immediate policy changes tied directly to the rallies. However, lawmakers across the spectrum are likely to face sharper questions in committee hearings and town halls ahead of the migration announcements expected later in 2025. The events also raised the political stakes for leaders weighing how to handle anti-immigration messaging while maintaining community safety.

Advice for affected communities

For families, students, and workers on temporary or permanent visas:

• Stay informed through official channels.
• Keep records of any harassment (messages, screenshots, witness details).
• Report threats to local police and use community legal centers for assistance.
• Universities advised international students to follow campus safety alerts and use escorted travel programs where available.

Community legal centers urged people to save messages, screenshots, and witness information if they experience or see abuse.

What to watch next

• Organizers hinted at follow-up events in several cities if the government doesn’t commit to deeper cuts.
• Counter-protest coalitions plan to continue promoting peaceful gatherings and rapid-response marshal training, focused on de-escalation and safe exits.
• Both sides expect more large events in the months ahead, especially in major cities where turnout was strong on Sunday.

The August 31 demonstrations showed how migration policy debates can spill onto the streets with force. They reminded many Australians that words spoken at rallies can echo in neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces long after the crowds go home.