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Australia has historically been a country of immigration, with people migrating from all over the world over the past two centuries. Waves of immigration have shaped the identity of the nation, with each wave characterised by a different predominant country or region of origin. The reasons for immigration to Australia have varied over time, with many migrants seeking economic opportunity or relief from conflict in their homelands. Australia has also experienced forced migration, such as the convicts sent to the colony as punishment in the early years of settlement. In recent years, Australia's mandatory detention policy for unauthorised boat arrivals has attracted controversy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries represented in the birthplaces of Australia's population in 2024 | Nearly every country in the world |
| Percentage of people born overseas in Australia's population as of 30 June 2024 | 31.5% |
| Top 5 countries of birth for overseas migrants in 2023-24 | India, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand |
| Visa granted to New Zealand citizens upon arrival if they don't already have another visa | Visa subclass 444 |
| Countries with the highest median age for migrants in 2024 | Greece (76 years) and Italy (74 years) |
| Country with the lowest median age for migrants in 2024 | Nepal (29 years) |
| Main components of immigration | Skilled migration and family reunion programs |
| Year when European migration to Australia began | 1788 |
| Country that was the top origin of contemporary immigrants to Australia in 2018 | United Kingdom |
| Number of people in Australia's total population in 2006 | 19,855,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Migration from India and China has been increasing
Migration has played a significant role in shaping Australia's identity over the centuries, with people from various countries and backgrounds contributing to the country's development and cultural diversity. Historically, migration to Australia was dominated by Europeans, particularly those from the United Kingdom, which included Ireland at the time. This trend continued into the 20th century, with programs like the "Bring Out a Briton" campaign in 1957 aimed at encouraging British immigration. However, the end of assisted migration programs in 1975 led to a decline in British and European immigrants.
Since then, Australia has witnessed a notable shift in migration patterns, with an increasing number of people migrating from countries closer to Australia, especially in Asia. This includes countries like India and China, which have become significant contributors to Australia's foreign-born population in recent decades. In the 21st century, migration from Asia to Australia has boomed, with the percentage of the Australian population born in Asian countries rising from 5.5% in 1996 to 13.4% in 2016.
Indian and Chinese migration to Australia has a long history, dating back to the early years of the colony's establishment. Northern Aboriginal Australians are known to have interacted with ethnic Chinese traders, and Indians may have had contact with people in Indonesia, potentially leading to mixed ancestry with Aboriginal Australians. However, the end of World War II marked a significant turning point, as Australia launched a massive immigration program, attracting hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans, including over 1,000,000 British subjects under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme.
In recent years, migration from India and China to Australia has continued to increase. In the 2023-24 financial year, India and China were among the top five countries of birth for overseas migrants to Australia. This increase was driven by various factors, including international students seeking higher education opportunities. Indian immigrants have become the largest migrant ethnic group in Melbourne and Adelaide, and their population in Australia grew from 78,000 to 455,000 between 1996 and 2016. Chinese immigrants, on the other hand, are predominantly female and tend to settle in specific suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney.
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Australia's skilled migration and family reunion programs
Australia has been a destination for migrants from all over the world, with the largest components of immigration being skilled migration and family reunion programs.
Skilled Migration
The Skilled Migration Program is designed to attract migrants who can make a significant contribution to the Australian economy and fill positions where no Australian workers are available. The Albanese government has proposed a three-tiered regulation system for migrants:
- A ""light-touch" approach for very skilled migrants on high salaries.
- A mid-level cohort of migrants who earn above the temporary skilled migration income threshold, which has been raised to $70,000.
- A lower-wage cohort in sectors experiencing skill shortages, such as the caring economy.
Family Reunion Migration
Family reunion migration allows individuals to reunite with their families in Australia. Employment and family visas can often lead to Australian citizenship, provided the applicant has lived in Australia for at least four years, with at least one year as a permanent resident.
History of Migration to Australia
The first migration of humans to the Australian continent took place around 65,000 years ago, with European migration beginning in 1788 with the British convict settlement of Sydney Cove. After World War II, Australia launched a massive immigration program, attracting over 1,000,000 British subjects and hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans. The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, also known as the White Australia Policy, restricted non-White settlement, but in 1973, multiculturalism largely displaced cultural selectivity in immigration policy.
In recent years, Australia has been ranked as a top destination for individuals seeking a high-quality life, and it has resettled many asylum seekers. The country's migration program has faced criticism for its mandatory detention policy for unauthorized arrivals and potential conflict with anti-age discrimination legislation due to the age limit of 50 for general skilled migrants.
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Post-WWII immigration and the 'populate or perish' campaign
Australia has a long history of immigration, with the first migration of humans to the continent taking place around 65,000 years ago. European migration began with the British convict settlement of Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. However, it was after World War II that Australia launched a massive immigration program, with the slogan "populate or perish".
The "populate or perish" campaign was a response to the fear of an Imperial Japanese invasion during World War II. The Chifley government commissioned a report, which found that Australia urgently needed a larger population for defence and development purposes. The report recommended a 1% annual increase in population through increased immigration. This target was maintained even after a change in government in 1949, when the Menzies government took over.
The federal Department of Immigration was established in 1945 to administer the new immigration program, with Arthur Calwell as the first Minister for Immigration. An Assisted Passage Migration Scheme was also set up in 1945 to encourage Britons to migrate to Australia, with the slogan "Bring out a Briton". The scheme was extremely popular with war-weary British citizens, and by 1947, over 400,000 had registered. The scheme initially targeted citizens of Commonwealth countries but was later extended to other countries such as the Netherlands and Italy. Over 1,000,000 British subjects immigrated under the scheme, becoming known colloquially as "Ten Pound Poms".
The post-war immigration wave brought about significant demographic changes in Australia. Between 1945 and 1965, two million immigrants arrived in Australia, with an average of around one million per decade. This massive influx transformed Australian society, with financial assistance playing an important role in encouraging settlement. The migration assistance schemes, combined with the country's overall immigration policy, resulted in an average annual population growth rate of 2.7% between 1946 and 1960. This growth was largely due to a postwar baby boom, but migration contributed to more than a third of this increase, adding 1.2 million people to Australia's population.
In 1973, the Whitlam government adopted a non-discriminatory immigration policy, effectively ending the "'White Australia' policy". This change, however, coincided with a substantial reduction in overall migrant intake, marking the end of the post-war wave of predominantly European immigration. It also signalled the beginning of a contemporary wave of predominantly Asian immigration to Australia, which continues to the present day.
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The Gold Rush era and the White Australia policy
The Australian Gold Rush era, which began with the discovery of gold in New South Wales in 1851, was a significant period in the country's history, attracting people from all over the world in search of fortune and leading to an enormous expansion of the population. This period marked the first time Australia experienced a notable influx of Chinese immigrants, with news of the gold rush reaching southern China in the early 1850s. By 1861, more than 38,000 Chinese people resided in Australia, accounting for over 3% of the population. Chinese immigrants faced significant challenges, including racism, harsh working conditions, and discrimination. They were subjected to restrictive legislation, such as the 'Chinese Migration Act' in 1861, which imposed tariffs solely on Chinese individuals.
The resentment and tension between the Chinese and European miners often resulted in violent confrontations, as exemplified by the Lambing Flat Riots in the Burrangong region of NSW. The success of Chinese miners, who worked in organised groups, was a significant source of anger for European miners, who perceived them as economic competitors. This anti-Chinese sentiment, which also existed due to concerns about disease and cultural differences, laid the foundation for the White Australia Policy.
The White Australia Policy, formalised as the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, was one of the first acts of the newly formed Commonwealth Government. This policy aimed to restrict non-White settlement in Australia and severely limited Chinese immigration for over 50 years. The policy unified and strengthened existing colonial policies that discriminated against non-White individuals, particularly those of Chinese descent. The impact of this policy was substantial, making it challenging for many Chinese individuals to remain in the country.
The Gold Rush era and the subsequent implementation of the White Australia Policy had far-reaching consequences, shaping Australia's demographic and cultural landscape. The period witnessed the convergence of diverse communities, including British, Irish, German, European, Chinese, and others, creating a melting pot of cultures. While the Gold Rush era brought economic opportunities and prosperity, it also exacerbated the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, as their lands were invaded and exploited by miners, leading to environmental degradation and cultural upheaval.
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Australia's Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP) visas
Australia has a long history of migration from all over the world, with people migrating to the continent as early as 65,000 years ago. In more recent times, European migration to Australia began with the British convict settlement of Sydney Cove in 1788. The country has also seen significant migration from Asia, with the Gold Rush era of 1851 attracting large numbers of British and Irish settlers, as well as smaller numbers of Germans, other Europeans, and Chinese migrants. Post-World War II, Australia launched a massive immigration program, attracting hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans and over 1,000,000 British subjects under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme.
In the 2023-24 financial year, the top five countries of birth for overseas migrants to Australia were India, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia itself. The largest components of immigration are the skilled migration and family reunion programs.
Now, let's focus on the Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP) visas:
The Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP) is a visa category under Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Programme. It is designed to assist individuals who are facing substantial discrimination amounting to gross human rights violations in their home countries. To be eligible for an SHP visa, applicants must demonstrate that they are subject to significant persecution or discrimination in their home country and have a compelling reason for seeking resettlement in Australia. They must also have a connection to Australia, such as a family member or an organisation that supports their application.
The SHP visa is intended for individuals who may not be refugees but whose resettlement in Australia is deemed the appropriate solution. Most humanitarian visas are granted to applicants who are outside their home country, as those living in their home country are unlikely to meet the criteria for a humanitarian visa. The visa application process includes interviews and security checks, and the decision to grant or refuse a visa rests with the Australian authorities.
The Australian Government provides various support services for migrants under the SHP visa stream, including free English language courses for eligible migrants through the Adult Migrant English Program. These courses provide up to 510 hours of instruction during the first five years of settlement in Australia. Additionally, the Translating and Interpreting Service National offers a 24/7 telephone-based interpreting service to facilitate contact between non-English speakers and the Australian community.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2024, nearly every country in the world was represented in the birthplaces of Australia's population.
The countries that have been the largest source of migration to Australia have varied over time. In the 1800s, many migrants came from the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, and Ireland. In the 1850s, the Gold Rush led to an influx of British, Irish, German, other European, and Chinese migrants. After World War II, Australia launched a massive immigration program that attracted hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans, including over 1,000,000 British subjects. In the 1950s and 1960s, Australia saw a wave of immigration from Southern, Eastern, and Northern European countries such as Italy, Greece, Malta, Croatia, and Turkey. In recent years, the top countries of birth for overseas migrants have been India, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
People migrate to Australia for various reasons, including economic opportunities, relief from conflict in their homelands, family reunion, and the country's favorable policies for skilled migrants.
