Australia stands as a prominent 'immigration nation' among key countries like New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. Since 1945, more than 7.5 million individuals have chosen Australia as their new home.

1. Australia's Dynamic Immigration Story -
A Tapestry of Permanent and Temporary
Migration
Australia stands as a prominent 'immigration nation' among key countries like New Zealand, Canada,
and the USA. Since 1945, more than 7.5 million individuals have chosen Australia as their new home.
With an estimated 28.2 percent of the population being born overseas, Australia holds a high rank in
terms of foreign-born residents compared to many other countries within the OECD.
Australian Immigration Programs: A Gateway to Settling Down
Two primary pathways exist for individuals seeking to settle in Australia: the Migration Program catering
to skilled and family migrants, and the Humanitarian Program, designed for refugees and those in
refugee-like situations. Annually, the Australian Government allocates specific quotas for these
programs, granting opportunities for people aspiring to make Australia their permanent home.
Shifting Trends in Australian Migration Sources
The UK historically served as the primary source of permanent migration to Australia. However, in 2010–
11, a pivotal moment unfolded as China surpassed the UK, followed closely by India, becoming
significant contributors to Australia's migrant population. Additionally, while New Zealand citizens play a
substantial role in settler arrivals, they are not considered under Australia's Migration Program unless
they opt for a permanent visa.
Evolution of Australian Immigration Policies
Over the decades, Australian immigration policies have undergone significant transformation. Initially,
the primary focus was on attracting migrants from the UK. However, the current approach centers on
drawing in economic and skilled migrants. The Migration Program, presently offering 190,000 places,
predominantly caters to skilled migrants.
Embracing Australia’s Temporary Migration
Starting from the late 1990s, a notable increase in temporary Australian immigration has been
observed. The influx of temporary entrants, especially students and skilled workers arriving under visas
such as the Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457, has led to a substantial rise in Australia's population.
Navigating Australian Immigration Statistics
Understanding the dynamics of Australian immigration involves examining various data sources,
including information provided by the Department of Immigration and the Australian Bureau of
Statistics. However, interpreting this data can be complex due to changes in methodologies and the
inclusion of temporary migrants within certain statistical categories.
Key Statistical Insights:

2.  Net Overseas Migration (NOM): Tracks both departures and arrivals, yet not exclusively
permanent migrants.
 Settler Arrival Statistics: Offers a clearer picture of permanent migration but includes
temporary migrants with intentions of longer-term settlement.
 Migration Program Visa Grant Outcomes: Presents accurate data on intended permanent
migrants; however, not all visa recipients necessarily choose to settle in Australia.
This overview offers a comprehensive glimpse into Australia's migration landscape, providing insights
into both permanent and temporary migration trends and the associated changes witnessed over time.
Permanent and Temporary Migration Patterns in Australia (1984–2016)
Table 1: Permanent Migrants - Migration and Humanitarian Program Visa Grants Since 1984–85
Year
Migration
Program
Humanitarian
Program Family Child Skill Special Eligibility Total
1984–
85 44,200 10,100 200 54,500 14,207
1985–
86 63,400 16,200 400 80,000 11,700
1986–
87 72,600 28,500 600 101,700 11,291
1987–
88 79,500 42,000 600 122,100 11,392
1988–
89 72,700 51,200 800 124,700 11,309
1989–
90 66,600 52,700 900 120,200 12,415
1990–
91 61,300 49,800 1,200 112,200 11,284
1991–
92 55,900 41,400 1,700 98,900 12,009
1992–
43,500 21,300 1,400 67,900 11,845

3. Year
Migration
Program
Humanitarian
Program Family Child Skill Special Eligibility Total
93
1993–
94 43,200 18,300 1,300 62,800 14,070
1994–
95 44,500 30,400 1,600 76,500 14,858
1995–
96 56,700 24,100 1,700 82,500 16,252
1996–
97 44,580 27,550 1,730 73,900 11,902
1997–
98 31,310 34,670 1,110 67,100 12,055
1998–
99 32,040 35,000 890 67,900 11,356
1999–
00 32,000 35,330 2,850 70,200 15,860
2000–
01 33,470 44,730 2,420 80,610 13,733
2001–
02 38,090 53,520 1,480 93,080 12,349
2002–
03 40,790 66,050 1,230 108,070 12,525
2003–
04 42,230 71,240 890 114,360 13,823
2004–
05 41,740 77,880 450 120,060 13,178
2005–
45,290 97,340 310 142,930 14,144

4. Year
Migration
Program
Humanitarian
Program Family Child Skill Special Eligibility Total
06
2006–
07 50,080 97,920 200 148,200 13,017
2007–
08 49,870 108,540 220 158,630 13,014
2008–
09 56,366 114,777 175 171,318 13,507
2009–
10 60,254 107,868 501 168,623 13,770
2010–
11 54,543 113,725 417 168,685 13,778
2011–
12 58,604 125,755 639 184,998 13,745
2012–
13 60,185 128,973 842 190,000 19,998
2013–
14 61,112 128,550 338 190,000 13,759
2014–
15 61,085 127,774 238 189,097 13,756
2015–
16 57,400 3,512 (Child) 128,550 308 189,770 17,555
Sources: J Phillips, M Klapdor and J Simon-Davies, Migration to Australia since Federation: a guide to the
statistics, Background note, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 27 August 2010; Department of
Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), Report on Migration Program reports, 2009–10 to 2014–15;
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Annual Report 2011–12, p. 117; DIBP, Australia’s
refugee and humanitarian program, fact sheet 60 (which regularly revises and updates the figures and
may differ from previously published figures); and departmental annual reports and ministerial press
releases (various years).

5. Notes: *Child places are now identified separately from the Family stream in response to recent reforms
to the inter-country adoption processes. See DIBP, Annual report 2015–16, p. 61.
Table 2: Temporary Migrants - Overseas Student and Business Long Stay (Subclass 457) Visa Grants
Since 1996–97
Year
Overseas
Students
Temporary Business (Long Stay) 457
Visas
1996–97 113,000 25,786
1997–98 108,827 30,880
1998–99 110,894 29,320
1999–00 119,806 31,070
2000–01 146,577 36,900
2001–02 151,894 33,510
2002–03 162,575 36,800
2003–04 171,616 39,500
2004–05 174,786 48,590
2005–06 190,674 71,149
2006–07 230,807 87,313
2007–08 278,715 110,567
2008–09 319,632 101,284
2009–10 270,499 67,979
2010–11 250,438 90,119
2011–12 253,046 125,070
2012–13 259,278 126,348

6. Year
Overseas
Students
Temporary Business (Long Stay) 457
Visas
2013–14 292,060 98,571
2014–15 299,540 96,084
2015–16 310,845 85,611
Sources: J Phillips, M Klapdor and J Simon-Davies, Migration to Australia since Federation: a guide to the
statistics, op. cit.; DIAC, Australia’s migration trends 2011–12, 2013; DIBP, Student, and Subclass 457 visa
statistics web pages; and departmental annual reports (various years).
Table 3: Net Overseas Migration (NOM) Since 1901 (Calendar Year)
Data Provided is in a continuous format, separated by year and Net Overseas Migration (NOM).
Sources: Data for 1901–1924: DIAC, Immigration: federation to century’s end, DIAC, Canberra, 2001.
Data for 1925–2005: ABS, Australian Historical Population Statistics, cat. no. 3105.0.65.001, 2008. Data
for 2006 onwards: ABS, Australian Demographic Statistics, cat. no. 3101.0.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics