Lexi Webster
Australia has long been a popular destination for migrants, with people drawn to the country in search of economic opportunities, a better life, or relief from conflict in their home countries. In recent years, Australia has seen a significant influx of people migrating to the country, with net overseas migration contributing a gain of 445,640 people to the Australian population in 2023-24. This number decreased from the previous year's record of 536,000 people, which may be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and border restrictions. Historically, international migration has been a significant source of population growth for Australia, with the country experiencing a net gain of people each year except during the pandemic in 2020-21. The migration trends in Australia have evolved over time, with the country witnessing waves of immigration from different parts of the world and shifts in the demographics of migrants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of migrants in 2020 | 7.6 million |
| Percentage of the population that are migrants | 29.8% |
| Largest group of overseas-born migrants | English (980,400) |
| Age group with the highest proportion of migrants | 30-34 years old |
| Net increase in population due to migration (2020) | 194,400 people |
| Net increase in population due to migration (2022-23) | 536,000 people |
| Net increase in population due to migration (2023-24) | 445,640-446,000 people |
| Percentage of permanent immigrants aged 65 or older | 2% |
| Percentage of the general population aged 65 or older | 13% |
| Percentage of migrants in Australia who are on temporary visas | 61.3% |
| Percentage of migrants leaving Australia who are on temporary visas | 62.1% |
| Number of migrant departures (2023-24) | 221,000 |
| Number of migrant departures (2022-23) | 204,000 |
| Migration gain for each state and territory (2023-24) | Vic: 132,860; Tas: 3,820; ACT: 6,520 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's migration intake is slowing the ageing of its population
Australia has long been a popular destination for migrants, with people drawn to the country for a variety of reasons, including economic opportunity, relief from conflict, and involuntary migration. In recent years, Australia has seen a significant influx of migrants, contributing to a net gain in its population. In the 2023-24 financial year, overseas migration resulted in a net gain of 445,640 people in Australia, with each state and territory recording an increase in their populations. This trend of net gain through migration is consistent with Australia's historical patterns, except for a brief reversal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While migration has been a significant factor in Australia's population growth, it is important to note that the country also experiences migrant departures. In the same 2023-24 financial year, there was an 8% increase in migrant departures, totalling 221,000, up from 204,000 the previous year. This increase in departures can be attributed to the lifting of travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Despite this, the overall trend of migration to Australia continues to contribute to a net gain in the country's population.
The impact of migration on Australia's population extends beyond just numbers. Migration is playing a crucial role in slowing the ageing of Australia's population. The median age of the Australian-born population has been gradually increasing, reaching 34 years of age as of 30 June 2020. In contrast, the median age of the overseas-born population has been decreasing, with a small increase to 44 years of age recorded in the same period. The lower median age of migrants compared to Australian-born individuals has helped slow the ageing of the total population.
The impact of migration on ageing rates is further influenced by the age and number of immigrants and emigrants relative to the average age of the population. For instance, in Tasmania, interstate migration has resulted in a faster rate of ageing compared to the rest of Australia. While interstate arrivals were younger than the average Tasmanian, those leaving the state were even younger, contributing to an increase in the average age over time. This suggests that the impact of migration on ageing rates can vary depending on the specific context and demographics of the region.
Overall, Australia's migration intake is having a notable impact on slowing the ageing of its population. The combination of a decreasing median age among migrants and the continued net gain in population through migration is contributing to a slower rate of ageing in Australia. However, it is important to recognize that the impact of migration on ageing rates is complex and can vary across different regions within the country.
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Migration boosts employment for Australian-born people
Australia has long been a popular destination for migrants, with people drawn to the country in search of a better life, economic opportunity, or relief from conflict in their home countries. In the year ending June 2024, overseas migration contributed a net gain of 446,000 people to Australia's population, although this was a decrease from the previous year's record of 536,000. Historically, more people migrate to Australia than leave each year, resulting in a net population gain.
Migration has had a significant positive impact on Australia's economy and labour force participation, particularly in regional and rural areas, which often face challenges in attracting and retaining workers. Research has shown that migration boosts employment for Australian-born people, with a one-percentage-point rise in annual migrant inflow leading to a 0.53% increase in the employment of the Australian-born population. This positive effect is seen across all skill levels, ages, and genders, and does not affect the wages of Australian-born workers.
The influx of migrants has helped to offset population ageing and contributed to higher levels of GDP growth per capita. It has also been a vital source of revenue for growth sectors such as education and has assisted employers in sourcing skills that are in short supply in the domestic labour market. Migration has also been found to boost patenting in Australia, with a one-percentage-point increase in the regional employment share of higher-educated migrants leading to a 4.8% rise in regional patent applications over five years.
Furthermore, migration has transformed Australia into one of the most multicultural societies in the world, enriching the country's social and cultural fabric. While there have been challenges relating to community settlement and employment support, state-specific and regional migration schemes have been beneficial in attracting skilled migrants to areas where they are needed and helping them integrate into local communities.
In conclusion, migration has had a positive impact on employment for Australian-born people, contributing to economic growth and labour force participation, particularly in regional and rural areas. It has also brought social and cultural benefits, making Australia a more diverse and vibrant nation.
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The impact of COVID-19 on migration to Australia
Australia has historically experienced a net gain in population through international migration, with more people migrating to the country than leaving it each year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this trend. In response to the pandemic, Australia imposed travel restrictions on those travelling to or from the country in March 2020, closing its borders to all non-citizens and non-residents. This resulted in a significant drop in net migration to Australia, with many potential migrants unable to enter the country.
During the pandemic, in 2020-21, overseas migration contributed a net loss to the population of each state and territory in Australia. This was a reversal from the five years prior to the pandemic, when a net gain was recorded in each state and territory. The number of migrant departures increased during the pandemic, with the average number of migrant departures in the five years prior to the pandemic standing at 288,000 per year.
The COVID-19 crisis significantly impacted the Australian migration industry, with many applicants facing challenges in having their visas processed. The pandemic also disrupted Australia's Migration Program, which aims to achieve a range of economic and social outcomes. The program set a ceiling of 160,000 total places available for 2020-21, including the Skill stream, which seeks to improve the productivity of the economy and address skill shortages in the labour market.
However, as Australia's post-pandemic recovery continues, there is renewed optimism for international workers. Australia's borders were reopened to most travellers on 21 February 2022, leading to a period of record net overseas migration as the country caught up with arrivals after nearly two years of border restrictions. To restore confidence in Australia as a desirable destination for migrant workers, the Joint Standing Committee on Migration has proposed streamlining rules to make it easier for Australian businesses to hire workers from overseas. Travel exemptions are also available for non-citizens delivering services in sectors critical to Australia's economic recovery.
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Australia's skilled occupation visas
Australia has long been a popular destination for migrants, with its history of migration dating back to the arrival of the Aboriginal peoples, the continent's Indigenous Australians. The first Europeans to migrate to Australia were British settlers who arrived on the First Fleet in 1788, followed by an influx of convicts and free settlers in the ensuing decades. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold attracted migrants from diverse origins, and Australia has since evolved into one of the most multicultural societies worldwide.
In recent years, Australia has continued to experience significant net gains from international migration. In the year ending June 30, 2024, overseas migration contributed a net increase of 446,000 people, a decrease from the previous year's record of 536,000. This rebound follows the dip in migration during the COVID-19 pandemic, when border closures and restrictions impacted the number of arrivals.
One such visa is the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), which allows individuals to reside and work in Australia without requiring employer sponsorship. To be eligible, applicants must have their occupation listed on the SOL and meet other requirements, such as age, English language proficiency, and relevant work experience. The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is another pathway, catering to those who have an employer willing to sponsor their visa.
Migration agents and organisations registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority can provide expert guidance to individuals interested in skilled occupation visas. These agents assist applicants in navigating the complex process, from selecting the appropriate visa type to compiling the necessary documentation and submitting a robust application. By utilising these services, individuals can enhance their chances of successfully obtaining a skilled occupation visa and contributing their skills to the Australian labour market.
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The history of migration to Australia
In 1788, when European settlement began, Australia's Aboriginal population was around 400,000. The first migrants during this time were convicts transported involuntarily from Britain, Ireland, and other British colonies. Between 1788 and 1840, 80,000 convicts arrived in New South Wales, joined by small numbers of voluntary migrants from Britain and Ireland starting in the 1830s.
The discovery of gold just outside Bathurst in 1851 marked a significant shift in Australian migration. Over the next decade, more than 600,000 people arrived, the majority from Britain and Ireland, but also significant numbers from Continental Europe, China, the United States, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. By the time of Federation, Australia's population had grown to four million, with one in four born overseas.
Despite the large number of Chinese residents in Australia, the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, also known as the "White Australia Policy," effectively banned Asian migration for the next fifty years. This discriminatory policy prioritized British and Irish immigration, offering assisted passages to encourage migration from these countries.
Post-World War II, Australia's attitude towards migration began to shift towards multiculturalism. Facing a critical labour shortage, Australia opened its doors to migrants from over 30 countries, including Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and West Germany. By 1960, Australia's population had reached ten million, with nine percent of non-British origin.
In the 1970s, Australia took significant steps towards ending discriminatory immigration policies. Racial discrimination was made illegal in 1975, and all migrants, regardless of race or ethnicity, were allowed to apply for citizenship after three years of residence. Australia also accepted refugees from Lebanon, Cyprus, Vietnam, and Cambodia during this period.
Since the 1980s, Australia's immigration policy has focused on selecting skilled migrants and family visas, with an emphasis on filling much-needed skills gaps in the country. While the COVID-19 pandemic halted immigration, economists believe migration will play a vital role in Australia's post-pandemic recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
The net migration rate for 2023-24 was a gain of 445,640 people, with each state and territory recording a net gain. This is a decrease from the previous year, which saw a record net migration of 536,000 people.
People migrate to Australia for a variety of reasons, including economic opportunity, seeking relief from conflict, and a better life. Australia has also historically been a destination for forced migration, such as the transportation of convicts in the early years of settlement.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted migration to Australia, with border closures and travel restrictions resulting in a net loss of population in 2020-21. Migration began to recover in 2021-22, and Australia reopened its borders to most travellers on February 21, 2022.
Australia has a diverse migrant population, with people from nearly every country represented. The largest group of overseas-born residents in Australia are from England, followed by other countries such as China, the United States, and countries in Central and South Asia. The majority of migrants are in the 30-39 age group, and only 2% of permanent immigrants are 65 or older.
