The former deputy secretary of the Immigration Department estimates Australia’s net migration hit a record half a million people in the 12 months to September.

And he says that’s not sustainable.

Abul Rizvi told Neil Mitchell “history shows that whenever we get to net migration approaching 300,000, governments struggle in terms of delivering services, delivering infrastructure”.

Press PLAY below to hear his concerns about the record migration level

He’s calling on the federal government to take the unprecedented step of committing to a long-term net migration target, but that won’t be easy.

“I think the only way … is if the media put their feet to the fire,” he said.