Leslie Massey
Australia has historically encouraged immigration for permanent settlement, which has been essential for the country's founding and development. The country has experienced successive waves of immigration over the past few centuries, with each wave characterized by a different predominant country or region of origin. Australia's population has grown due to a net flow of migrants, with the overseas-born population increasing at a faster rate than the Australian-born population. As of June 2024, 31.5% of Australia's population was born outside of the country, with the largest populations from England, India, China, and New Zealand. Australia's immigration policies have evolved over time, with the country facing controversies in recent years due to its policy of mandatory detention of unauthorized arrivals by boat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Immigration Policy | The country has a history of encouraging immigration for permanent settlement, with successive waves of immigration from different countries and regions over the centuries. |
| Recent Immigration Trends | Net overseas migration increased to 536,000 in 2022-23. In June 2024, 31.5% of Australia's population was born outside the country, an increase from 30.7% in 2023 and 23.8% in 2004. |
| Top Source Countries | England, India, China, and New Zealand are among the top source countries for immigrants to Australia as of June 2024. India has seen the largest increase since 2014. |
| Immigration Pathways | Australia's permanent Migration Program includes economic and family reunion migration pathways, with skilled migration being the largest component. |
| Asylum Seekers | The Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme was established in 1992, and Australia has resettled many asylum seekers as a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. |
| Historical Context | The Gold Rush era beginning in 1851, World War II, and the post-war period saw significant immigration to Australia, including from the UK, Ireland, Germany, and China. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's immigration history
Australia has long been described as a traditional country of immigration, with its development and growth historically relying on significant immigration for permanent settlement. The country has experienced successive waves of immigration over the past few centuries, with each wave characterised by a different predominant country or region of origin.
The first migration of humans to the Australian continent took place around 65,000 years ago via the islands of Maritime Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea as part of the early human migration out of Africa. In the 19th century, the Bounty Immigration Scheme (1835-1841) boosted emigration from the United Kingdom to New South Wales. The South Australia Company was also established during this period to encourage settlement in South Australia by labourers and skilled migrants. The Gold Rush era, beginning in 1851, led to an enormous expansion in population, including large numbers of British and Irish settlers, followed by smaller numbers of Germans, other Europeans, and Chinese immigrants.
After World War II, Australia launched a massive immigration program, believing that having narrowly avoided a Japanese invasion, the country must "populate or perish". Hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans migrated to Australia, and over 1,000,000 British subjects immigrated under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, known colloquially as Ten Pound Poms. Initially, the scheme targeted citizens of Commonwealth countries, but after the war, it gradually extended to other countries such as the Netherlands and Italy.
In recent years, Australia's immigration policy has been marked by its mandatory detention of unauthorised boat arrivals, which has attracted controversy. The country has also been responsive to the needs of asylum seekers, establishing the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme in 1992 to address its obligations under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In 2023, BCG ranked Australia as the top country for individuals seeking to work and live a high-quality life.
As of 2024, the proportion of Australia's population born outside the country was 31.5%, with England, India, China, and New Zealand being the countries with the largest populations of foreign-born residents.
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Post-World War II immigration
In 1945, the Australian government established the federal Department of Immigration to administer the new immigration program, with Arthur Calwell as the first Minister for Immigration. Calwell coined the term "'New Australians'" to encourage the immigration of non-British Europeans. The Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, also known as the 'Ten-Pound Pom' scheme, was established in the same year to encourage Britons to migrate to Australia. The scheme was popular with war-weary British citizens, and by 1947, over 400,000 people had registered.
The post-war immigration program initially gave preference to migrants from Great Britain, with an ambitious target of nine British out of ten immigrants. However, it soon became apparent that this target would be impossible to achieve due to Britain's diminished shipping capacity. Calwell sought to meet immigration targets by selecting suitable migrants from Europe's displaced persons camps, and the first shipload arrived in Australia in 1947 from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Between 1947 and 1953, over 170,000 displaced persons came to Australia, many from Eastern Europe, where they had suffered greatly during the war.
The migration assistance scheme initially targeted citizens of Commonwealth countries, but it was gradually extended to other countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Spain, and West Germany. By the 1950s and 1960s, the second wave of post-war immigration arrived, consisting of those seeking employment and better living conditions from countries such as Italy, Greece, Malta, Croatia, and Turkey. This wave of immigration marked a shift in the origins of 'New Australians', with British migrants making up only half of the intake.
The post-war immigration period stands out as an exceptional era in Australia's immigration history due to a major influx of immigrants from outside the United Kingdom and Ireland. Between 1945 and 1985, about 40% of immigrants came from Britain and Ireland, while the remaining 60% originated from various other countries, resulting in a highly diverse population.
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Immigration from the UK
Australia has historically been a country of immigration, with successive waves of migration over the past few centuries. The first migration of humans to the continent took place around 65,000 years ago, and in more recent times, the country has experienced large influxes of immigrants from various countries, including the United Kingdom.
The UK has been a significant source of immigrants to Australia, with a notable boost in emigration occurring during the 19th century. The Bounty Immigration Scheme (1835-1841) encouraged emigration from the United Kingdom to New South Wales, and the South Australia Company was established to attract labourers and skilled migrants to settle in South Australia.
The Gold Rush era, which began in 1851, led to a significant expansion of the Australian population, including large numbers of British and Irish settlers. This was followed by smaller groups of Germans, other Europeans, and Chinese immigrants. The latter group faced increasing restrictions and discrimination, making it challenging for many to remain in the country.
After World War II, Australia implemented a large-scale immigration program, believing that having narrowly avoided a Japanese invasion, the country must "populate or perish". Over 1,000,000 British subjects immigrated under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, known colloquially as Ten Pound Poms. This scheme initially targeted citizens of Commonwealth countries but later expanded to include other nations such as the Netherlands and Italy.
In more recent times, Australia's immigration policies have evolved, and the country continues to attract immigrants from the UK and other parts of the world. While the rules have tightened, British citizens with in-demand skills and those who meet the points-based system criteria can still emigrate to Australia.
Visa Requirements for UK Citizens
To live permanently in Australia, UK citizens must successfully apply for a valid visa. Having an in-demand skill increases the probability of receiving a visa. Additionally, there are other visa options available, such as the Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417 for individuals between 18-35 years of age without children.
To increase their chances of approval, applicants must pass both a character check and a strict medical check. Applicants should also be aware of the potential need for a special health waiver, which an immigration solicitor can advise on.
Practical Considerations
For UK citizens considering a move to Australia, practical matters such as transportation, finances, and accommodation come into play. Plane travel is the most common method of transportation, with ticket prices varying significantly depending on the season.
Regarding finances, opening an Australian bank account as a non-citizen is reasonably straightforward and can ease the process of paying rent and covering expenses. Additionally, UK citizens can buy property in Australia as non-citizens, but certain rules and restrictions apply, including the need for approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
All these considerations highlight the complexities involved in immigrating to Australia from the UK, and prospective immigrants are advised to conduct thorough research and seek professional guidance where necessary.
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Australia's immigration policy
Australia has long been described as a traditional country of immigration, with successive waves of immigration playing a significant role in the country's founding and development. Post-World War II, Australia launched a large-scale immigration program, with over 1,000,000 British subjects immigrating under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme. This scheme, colloquially known as the "Ten Pound Poms", initially targeted citizens of Commonwealth countries, gradually extending to other nations.
In recent times, Australia's immigration policy has been a subject of controversy, particularly regarding the mandatory detention of unauthorised arrivals by boat. The country's policy of refusing entry to illegal arrivals and its treatment of immigration detainees have been criticised as inhumane and cruel. However, others argue that this approach is necessary to maintain control over Australia's borders and prevent the exploitation that can arise from certain refugee and skilled migration issues.
The current immigration system in Australia is characterised by a two-step process, where immigrants first arrive as temporary residents and then seek to transition to permanent status. This shift from predominantly permanent migration to a larger proportion of temporary migration has significantly impacted the selection of immigrants, labour market integration, and the nature of the immigrant workforce. The two-step process involves independent skilled applicants or employer-sponsored routes, with caps and tight regulations on those obtaining permanent status.
Australia's immigration policies also incorporate economic and family reunion migration, with skilled migration and family reunion programs constituting the largest components of immigration. Additionally, Australia has resettled many asylum seekers as a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme, established in 1992, provides financial and casework assistance to asylum seekers who meet specific eligibility criteria.
Looking ahead, the governing Australian Labour Party (ALP) has not proposed further migration reforms for the 2025 federal election. However, if the opposition Liberal-National Coalition (the Coalition) comes to power, a reduction in migration is expected.
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Asylum seekers in Australia
Australia has a long history of immigration, with successive waves of immigration over the past few centuries. In recent years, Australia has been a destination for asylum seekers, and the country has obligations to protect the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees under various international treaties.
Australia's Obligations to Asylum Seekers
According to the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, as amended by its 1967 Protocol (the Refugee Convention), a refugee is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to their own country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. As a signatory to the Refugee Convention, Australia has agreed to ensure that refugees are not sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened. In addition, Australia has obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These obligations extend to asylum seekers and refugees in Australian territory or those who engage Australia's jurisdiction.
Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme
In 1992, the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme was established to address Australia's obligations under the Refugee Convention. The scheme, administered by the Australian Red Cross, provides financial assistance and access to casework and other support services for asylum seekers who satisfy specific eligibility criteria. Community-based services, such as Migrant Resource Centres, also cater to the needs of asylum seekers, refugees, and newly arrived migrants.
Controversy and Criticism
Australia's policy of mandatory detention and offshore processing of asylum seekers who arrive without valid visas have attracted controversy. The country's asylum policy is a contentious issue in Australian politics, with concerns raised about border control and the safety of those attempting to reach Australia by boat. Environmental movements have also argued that Australia's current rate of population growth is unsustainable, particularly in the context of climate change and the potential deterioration of natural ecosystems.
Statistics and Global Context
In the 2019-20 financial year, Australia reported 23,266 asylum claims made within the country and 70,621 claims from outside of Australia. In 2023, Australia granted 20,000 refugee and humanitarian visas, and the country was ranked as the top destination for individuals seeking a high-quality life. However, it is important to note that most refugees and asylum seekers (69%) reside in their neighbouring countries if it is safe to do so, and the United States received the largest number of resettled refugees in 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has historically encouraged immigration for permanent settlement, which was essential for the country's founding and development. The country has experienced successive waves of immigration, with each wave characterized by a different predominant country or region of origin. Some countries that people have immigrated to Australia from include:
- The United Kingdom
- Germany
- China
- India
- Italy
As of June 2024, 31.5% of Australia's population was born outside Australia. This has been increasing since 2004, when it was 23.8%.
Australia's permanent Migration Program incorporates economic and family reunion migration, which is the main pathway to permanent residence.
The first migration of humans to the Australian continent took place around 65,000 years ago via the islands of Maritime Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea. This was part of the early history of human migration out of Africa.
The second wave of immigration was during the Gold Rush era, beginning in 1851. This led to an enormous expansion in population, including large numbers of British and Irish settlers, followed by smaller numbers of Germans, other Europeans, and Chinese.
