AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Migrants boost Australian economy

Tuesday, 30 January 2007

The Australian Government's Migration Programme has released details of the highest skill stream intake on record. These figures are illustrated in DIAC’s annual publication “Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, 2007”, which details statistics for 2005-2006.

The new publication was released yesterday, 29th January by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship aka “DIAC” (formerly DIMA).

This edition of the book also illustrates that the last financial year of the nation's migration programme included an increase of almost 9 per cent in the family stream.

DIAC’s migration branch assistant secretary Greg Mills said today that immigration had helped Australia expand its economy and raise living standards for all.

'In 2005-06, the Migration Programme received 142 930 places, with more than 97 000 places in the skill stream,' Mr. Mills said.

'The Government also increased the family stream places to 45 290 for 2005-06, an increase of 8.5 per cent over the previous year.'

Mr. Mills said improving and fine-tuning immigration policy was an ongoing process.

'Changes to the programme are designed to serve Australia's interests and help meet the needs of states, regions and industry,' he said.

'Last year, employer sponsored and state/territory government sponsored migration increased by 17 and 47 per cent respectively over 2004-05.'

It appears this hard line approach to recruit skilled immigrants and migrant workers from overseas has certainly paid off. With increased global competition for skilled workers, the country has basically doubled the number of skilled worker such as builders and engineers over the previous year.

The top occupational group of new migrants to Australia continues to be computing professionals, with 3,940 persons, Accountants (3,471 persons) and elementary clerical, sales and service workers follow at 2,905.

Overseas workers seeking for full-time employment have also seen improved prospects lately, with unemployment rates sitting at record lows of about 3.5%.

It is expected that the new migration intake levels for the 2007-2008 fiscal year will continue to see an increase in the number of places made available for intending migrants.