In 2022, Australia received 171 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 0.3% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 8% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 24% labour migrants, 60% family members (including accompanying family) and 8% humanitarian migrants. Around 189 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 250 300 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
India, China and Nepal were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, India registered the strongest increase (18 000) and Viet Nam the largest decrease (200) in flows to Australia compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 69%, to reach around 33 000. The majority of applicants came from Iran (4 400), Viet Nam (3 000) and India (2 400). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Iran (2 500) and the largest decrease nationals of Malaysia (‑41). Of the 66 000 decisions taken in 2023, 28% were positive.
Emigration of Australian citizens to OECD countries increased by 29% in 2022, to 22 000. Approximately 23% of this group migrated to New Zealand, 19% to the United Kingdom and 18% to the United States.
For 2023‑24, the Australian Government set the permanent Migration Program at 190 000. The focus of the programme is on addressing the ongoing and evolving skills shortages in Australia and attracting migrants with specialist skillsets. In the Migration Strategy, the government committed to developing a principles-based, multi-year planning model for permanent migration, to improve collaboration with states and territories and enable a better planning effort to meet strategic, structural and long-term challenges. The key principles to guide the model were endorsed at the inaugural Ministerial Migration Roundtable in December 2023.
In August 2023, the Australian Government announced 20 000 places in the 2023‑24 Humanitarian Program, representing the highest intake since 2012‑13.
In October 2023, the Australian Government issued its response to the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System (the Nixon Review). The review identified gaps and weaknesses in the system and formulated a list of recommendations. In response to these recommendations, the government is progressing a range of measures, including the reprioritisation of an immigration compliance function and the strengthening of the integrity of the migration advice industry.
In December 2023, Australia released the new Migration Strategy, which outlines significant reforms to the country’s migration system. The Migration Strategy places a particular emphasis on the following areas: targeted skilled migration and the establishment of new streamlined pathways for top global talent; higher standards for international students and education providers; visa settings to tackle worker exploitation and protect wages and conditions; support for regional Australia to facilitate fast access to skilled workers; and a new approach to migration planning to help return migration back to pre‑pandemic levels and to get the right skills in the right places. The reform agenda will be implemented in accordance with a phased plan.
The first reforms affecting international students were announced in late 2023 with many reforms now implemented. The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for Student visas was replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, and the minimum English language requirement was increased, to incentivise applications from genuine students. From 1 July 2024 a range of reforms have also been introduced in the temporary graduate visa programme to identify those graduates with the skills and capability to succeed in the Labour market.
On 25 November 2023 pathways to permanent residence for temporary skilled sponsored workers were expanded, which will provide employers and holders of temporary skilled visas with more certainty. Furthermore, Australia is building a new temporary skilled migration system to address skills needs and enhance worker mobility for temporary migrants in the labour market.
To strengthen Australia’s Pacific partnerships, the government committed to a new permanent resident visa programme for nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. The new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) aims to boost permanent migration from the Pacific and encourage greater cultural, business, and educational exchange. It will offer permanent residence for up to 3 000 nationals of participating countries annually, who will be randomly selected through a ballot. The first ballot opened in June 2024.
For further information: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
