Reforms result in 20 per cent drop in net overseas migration
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Australia’s net overseas migration (NOM) level is predicted to drop by 20 per cent by the end of the financial year in response to government reforms to temporary and permanent migration and economic conditions, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today.
Launching the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) flagship publication, Population flows – Immigration aspects 2008-09, Senator Evans said the level of NOM – which includes both permanent migrants and long-term temporary migrants – peaked in 2008-09 and is on the way down.
Latest figures from the ABS show that NOM peaked in the 12 months to 31 March 2009 at 305 900 people.
‘Based on recent visa applications and grants data, my department anticipates a fall of about 20 per cent compared to last year; a drop of at least 56 000 people,’ Senator Evans said.
‘By the end of 2009-2010, we expect the NOM to have fallen to between 230 000 and 250 000.’
Senator Evans said last year’s peak was largely a result of rapid growth in temporary immigrants following decisions by the Howard government which opened up permanent entry pathways for temporary residents such as students.
‘Net overseas migration is already falling as reforms to the 457 visa program help to ensure that temporary overseas workers complement and not compete with Australian workers,’ Senator Evans said.
‘In addition, the government has recently introduced a new Skilled Occupation List. This list is designed to target occupations of longer term economic value and will deliver highly skilled migrants while breaking the nexus between permanent residency and low-value education courses.’
Senator Evans said the Rudd Government was committed to ongoing reform to ensure immigration levels are guided by Australia’s needs and not by the desire of prospective migrants to come to Australia.
‘In May last year, the government announced the development of a planning framework formulated on evidenced-based research to consider the long-term effects of immigration on our population and our environment,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The framework will be a policy-guiding framework for more informed decision-making. It will not be a target-setting mechanism. It will ensure that future migration levels are driven by the genuine economic needs of the country and immigration levels will not be beyond our country’s ability to accommodate them.’
Senator Evans said Population flows, which featured dedicated chapters analysing net overseas migration (NOM), the economics of migration and the department’s migration and humanitarian programs, provided readers with a clear perspective on migration and population matters through data and commentary.
‘Immigration-related matters include Australia’s changing demographic profile, the economic rationale for skilled migration, immigration’s fiscal impacts and the potential economic benefits that the children of immigrants bring,’ he said.
‘The economic rationale for skilled migration, as described in the publication, is particularly instructive, demonstrating how skilled migration can contribute to real economic growth by enlarging our workforce, increasing workforce participation and improving our productivity.’
Population flows: Immigration aspects, is available for download from the department’s website.
See: Population flows at a glance (127KB PDF file)
See also: Population Flows: Immigration Aspects 2008-09 Edition
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2010/ce10042.htm
Last update: 26 May 2010 at 13:18 AEST