Economic pressures can't be exploited for anti-immigration rhetoric, the prime minister says, as he launches a defence of multiculturalism.
In a speech to the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia on Thursday, Anthony Albanese will say migrant communities are essential and have added to the nation's prosperity.
He will use the keynote speech opening the conference make the case for social cohesion to be defended, as opposition parties ramp up calls for migration numbers to be scaled back.
"As more Australians feel the brunt of economic pressures, there are always those ready to exploit the moment by sowing division," Mr Albanese will say.
"Anyone who can look in the rear-vision mirror and see a monoculture should get themselves down to the nearest Specsavers. The reality is that Australia’s heart is multicultural."
The comments come following a surging One Nation in opinion polls, with leader Pauline Hanson urging for Australia to become a monoculture.
The party has called for migration numbers to be slashed, with more leaving Australia than arriving for three years.
The coalition has also laid out its policy of reducing net overseas migration to 100,000 people for two years, before rising to 160,000.
Labor's target will be higher, with a net overseas migration target of 245,000 people in July 2027, before falling to 225,000 each year thereafter.
The respective policies have led to concerns of a lack of skilled workers in multiple industries.
Mr Albanese will say migrants have contributed to a range of occupations throughout the community.
"Migrants play essential roles throughout our lives, from the maternity ward to the nursing home - and at every stage in between," he will say.
"Migrants work hard and pay taxes. They add to the bottom line and lift our ambitions as a country by expanding our sense of what is possible."
The speech follows a report from the Liberal-aligned Centre for Independent Studies that showed Australians largely are not aware of what brings migrants to the nation.
New arrivals to Australia told the report they felt they were making a large contribution to the economy without recognition.
