Australia immigration statistics

Until recently, the UK has always been the main source of permanent migration to Australia. However, for the first time in Australian history, China surpassed the UK in 2010-2011. Since then, China and India have continued to provide the largest numbers of both permanent and temporary migrants.

As a result of the new orientation of the post-war government in 1945, the proportion of the Australian population born overseas rapidly increased from 9.8% in 1947 to about 20% in 1971. This figure continued to grow. According to the latest statistics available, just under a third (29.7%) of Australia’s resident population was overseas born.

In addition, in the 2010s, there was a shift in the balance of migration from the family intake in favor of the skilled intake:

• 1996-1997 47% of migrants arrived under the skilled immigration program,
• 2008-2009, this figure increased to 67%

A major determinant of migration policy since the 1980s has been the focus on the performance of migrants in the Australian labor market. Various policy measures have been implemented to increase the likelihood that new migrants will be able to get jobs and achieve economic independence. Obviously, this reduced the risk that migrants will deplete the state wallet.

Such measures then and now remain:

• constant updating of the list of required professions and skills,
• stricter requirements for knowledge of the English language,
• strict rules regarding the recognition of professional qualifications and skills assessment.⠀

At the end of 2019:⠀

• The population of Australia as of December 31, 2019 was 25,522,169.
• The quarterly increase was 70,200 people (0.3%)
• The annual increase was 349,800 people (1.4%)
• 39.8% of annual growth was due to natural growth
• 60.2% annual growth was due to net migration

Main countries of origin of humanitarian migrants (2018–2019):

• Iraq
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Myanmar

According to the site aph.gov.au and abs.gov.au.