Police across Australia are preparing for large “March for Australia” demonstrations on Sunday, August 31, 2025, as anti-mass immigration rallies plan to converge on city centres, including Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station. Authorities have issued firm warnings that any violence or attempts by extremist groups to hijack the events will draw immediate action. Community groups, international students, and recent migrants report rising fear, with many planning to stay indoors on the day to avoid potential clashes.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke condemned the anti-mass immigration rallies, arguing they threaten social cohesion and target people based on where they come from. Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly said the government stands with all communities and rejects attempts to intimidate those who have made Australia home. The Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) echoed those concerns, calling the rallies divisive and urging young people to prioritise personal safety and report threats.
Some politicians, including Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson, have voiced support for the protests, framing them as a debate about population and services. Their backing has alarmed multicultural advocates who say far-right groups are using the moment to spread extremist rhetoric. Analysts warn that online chatter shows efforts to mainstream ideas about mass deportation and violence, even as organisers deny formal links to neo-Nazi groups. Police say they will monitor known agitators and enforce conditions on any march permits.
International students, particularly from South and East Asia, say the atmosphere feels tense. Influencers in the Indian student community have urged peers to avoid train stations and major squares during the “March for Australia,” pointing to past demonstrations that drew confrontations. University support staff in several cities report increased requests for advice on personal safety and transport options. Some migrants say they will reschedule weekend shifts to steer clear of protest routes and counter-protests.
VisaVerge.com reports that safety concerns can ripple through diaspora networks quickly, shaping decisions about study and work abroad. Education agents say families in key source countries are paying attention to these protests, and any scenes of disorder could affect applications for 2026 intakes. That risk sits alongside a tougher policy setting for student visas introduced over the past year, which may already dampen interest.
Police and community response
Police commanders in multiple states say officers will be highly visible near rally points and will separate opposing groups when needed. They have warned both organisers and counter-protesters that arrests will follow any assault, property damage, or hate-fuelled conduct.
Community leaders are urging restraint, asking people to avoid provocations and to record and report threats rather than engage. CMY’s August 27 statement urged leaders to reject discriminatory narratives and asked young people to:
- travel in groups
- share live locations with friends
- plan safe exits
Government officials stress that peaceful protest is lawful, but intimidation is not. Authorities say they will use public order powers where required and will act on any online incitement linked to the events.
Support measures being deployed or prepared:
- Police monitoring of known agitators and enforcement of march permit conditions
- Migrant support services setting up helplines for the weekend
- Universities circulating safety tips and campus security contacts
- Community groups urging people to record incidents and report threats
Organisers who claim the “March for Australia” is peaceful say they will self-police their events, though police remain wary of fringe elements.
Authorities: peaceful protest is lawful; intimidation, violence and hate are not.
Policy context and migration settings
The protests come amid a reset of Australia’s migration program. Key figures and recent changes include:
- Permanent Migration Program 2024–25: 185,000 places
- Skilled stream: 132,200 places (71%)
- Employer-sponsored visas: 44,000
- Skilled independent visas: 16,900
- State/territory nominated: 33,000
- Regional allocations: 33,000
- Business Innovation and Investment Program: trimmed to 1,000 places (to be replaced by a National Innovation Visa by end of 2024)
Student visa and pathway changes:
- Student visa charge: rose to AUD 1,600 in 2024; will reach AUD 2,000 from July 2025
- Ministerial Direction 111: two-tier processing system giving high-performing providers faster decisions for most of their caseload
- Increased financial capacity and English requirements
- From July 1, 2024, visitor visa holders and temporary graduate visa holders can no longer apply for student visas onshore (closing common “visa hopping” routes)
Plans for 2025–26:
- Expand skilled migration to 142,400 places
- Replace the Skilled Occupation List with a new Occupation Shortage List to better track real-time labour needs
- Continue regional incentives, including an extra 15 points for those who study, work and live in designated regional areas
Supporters of the “March for Australia” argue that population growth has outpaced housing and infrastructure. Economists at independent institutes counter that migrants contribute strongly to tax revenue and frontline services, and that housing pressures reflect planning, supply and construction constraints. Community organisations add that using migrants as a scapegoat ignores their role in hospitals, aged care and technology firms, and fuels harassment of visible minorities.
For those already in Australia on temporary visas, the protests compound everyday worries. Students and new workers say they now plan commutes more carefully and keep documentation on hand. Migration agents report clients asking whether rallies could affect visa decisions; officials say protests do not change processing and that cases continue under existing law.
Official guidance:
- Check official updates and program settings at the Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- CMY resources and statements: https://www.cmy.net.au
Digital risks and information efforts
Digital platforms are expected to be a critical battleground over the weekend. Researchers tracking extremist forums warn of attempts to:
- share doctored footage
- provoke street confrontations
- push false claims about government policy
In response, universities and community groups are countering with:
- verified information campaigns
- hotlines
- multilingual safety messages
CMY and youth workers say they will amplify safety content where young people spend time online.
Implications and what people are doing
The protests and the surrounding debate have practical effects for multiple groups:
- International students: considering safety when deciding whether to apply for 2026 intakes
- Skilled workers: weighing the extra 15 regional points against the tone of public debate
- Employers: watching the planned 142,400 skilled quota and the move to an Occupation Shortage List
- Diaspora networks: monitoring scenes of disorder, which can influence study and migration decisions abroad
Many individuals are taking precautionary steps:
- planning alternative travel routes and times
- avoiding known protest locations such as major train stations and squares
- keeping identity and visa documents accessible
- travelling in groups or with friends and sharing live locations
Final note: stakes and expectations
As August 31, 2025 approaches, attention will focus on turnout, policing, and whether extremist groups attempt to co-opt the “March for Australia.” A peaceful day would ease immediate fears but would not resolve the wider contest over facts and trust. A violent day could deepen trauma for new arrivals and have ripple effects through global student and migrant networks, affecting choices about where to live, study and work.
For now, the message from authorities remains clear:
- Protests are lawful.
- Violence, intimidation, and hate are not.
This Article in a Nutshell
As Australia prepares for the “March for Australia” protests on August 31, 2025, police and community organisations are mobilising to prevent violence and protect vulnerable groups. Ministers Tony Burke and Anne Aly condemned rallies that target people by origin, while CMY urged safety measures for young people. International students and recent migrants report heightened fear and plan to avoid major transport hubs; universities and migrant services are issuing safety guidance and helplines. The demonstrations occur against a backdrop of migration policy changes—185,000 places for 2024–25, student visa fee increases to AUD 2,000 by July 2025, and plans to expand skilled migration to 142,400 places for 2025–26 with a new Occupation Shortage List. Authorities stress peaceful protest is lawful but vow to act against intimidation, hate and violence. Analysts warn online networks may attempt to mainstream extremist ideas, and community groups are amplifying verified, multilingual information to counter disinformation.
