The number of people waiting for skilled regional visas has blown out by more than 50 per cent under the Coalition and the number of people being approved has halved, as the Morrison government faces calls to explain how it will force new migrants to settle in the regions.

Population Minister Alan Tudge wants more migrants to move to regional areas. Credit:Andrew Meares

Department of Home Affairs figures cast doubt on the government’s claims that Australia’s immigration distribution, which has clogged transport and roads in Sydney and Melbourne, is the fault of the former Labor government.

The figures show non-regional skilled migration visas have risen every year under the Coalition, while those dedicated to the regions dropped from a high of 20,510 in 2012-13 to 10,198 under the Turnbull government in 2016-17.

The five consecutive years of cuts to permanent regional migrant visas coincided with a rise in the total immigration level to record highs of 180,000 a year, meaning proportionally more migrants were arriving on non-regional skilled visas under the Coalition.