Why Australia Needs Immigrants – The Importance of Immigration in Australian Policy.
In his Quora post, Henry R. Greenfield (2021) tackled the question of whether Australia really needs immigrants. Being a resident of the country, he provided insights into Australia’s migration policy and how it operates.
Greenfield’s write-up delved into the specifics of Australia’s immigration policy, as well as the country’s population growth. For those interested in learning more about this topic, they can easily find his post on Quora.
Are Immigrants Needed in Australia?
The question of whether Australia needs immigrants is a topic that has been addressed by Henry R. Greenfield, an Australian resident who has provided valuable insight into the matter. It is clear that Australia does, in fact, need immigrants, as indicated by the following facts and figures:
Firstly, Australians are not reproducing at even replacement rates, which means that the population will continue to shrink in an already vast continent. Secondly, with a population of 25 million compared to our neighbors at 250 million Indonesians, 1.4 billion Chinese, 1.35 billion Indians, and many others, it is clear that we need to bring in more people to avoid population decline. Lastly, it is important to note that we do not need 100 million people or even 50 million. What we need are bright, productive, and highly skilled immigrants from around the world.
Australia needs to start recruiting the best and the brightest from around the world. This means moving away from accepting mainland Chinese students solely because they have money, who often specifically select disciplines like accounting which will get them PR upon graduation. This is a short-sighted mentality and a total abdication of our values. Instead, we need to prioritize skilled individuals who will contribute in a broad range of fields, such as science, animal husbandry, nutrition, agriculture, IT, and software to make our cities smart.
It’s not just about accepting students from a few countries, as this approach doesn’t serve the interests of Australia. We need to focus on people who are committed to Australia and are willing to make a meaningful contribution to our society. That is the only way to end the trend of skilled migrants leaving Australia to take jobs away from our citizens.
With a population that is growing slowly but enriched by strong, highly skilled individuals from around the world, Australia can lead the world and contribute to coalitions across many disciplines. It is time for a smart immigration policy that will lead to a stronger Australia and bring in people who will enrich our society with their ideas, innovations, and technical skills
Insight into Australia’s Immigration Statistics
Australia is one of the leading “immigration nations” globally, alongside Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Since 1945, over 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia, and as of June 2015, 28.2% of the population is made up of overseas-born residents, which is considered high compared to other OECD countries.
Australia has two distinct programs for permanent migration: the Migration Program for skilled and family migrants and the Humanitarian Program for refugees and those in refugee-like situations. The government allocates quotas for these programs each year.
For a long time, the UK was the primary source country for permanent migration to Australia. However, in 2010-11, China overtook the UK as the leading source of permanent migrants, followed by India. New Zealand citizens also frequently settle in Australia, but they are not counted under the Migration Program unless they apply for and receive a permanent visa.
Over time, the focus of Australia’s immigration policy has shifted from attracting general migrants, primarily from the UK, to economic and skilled migrants. The current planning figure for the Migration Program is 190,000 places, with skilled migrants making up the majority.
Since the late 1990s, temporary migration has become an increasingly significant aspect of migration to Australia. The net migration gain from long-term temporary movement exceeded that from permanent movement in 1999-00, and record numbers of temporary entrants arrived in 2000-01, many on student or Temporary Work (Skilled) visas. Unlike the permanent Migration Program, the level of temporary migration to Australia is demand-driven and not subject to quotas or caps by the government.
The 457 visa provides a pathway for skilled workers and their dependents to apply for permanent residency, and many students are also eligible to apply for permanent visas at the end of their courses. In recent years, the largest contribution to net overseas migration has been from people on temporary visas, primarily overseas students and temporary skilled migrants.
As a result, Australia’s population growth rate has increased significantly, driven largely by an increase in net overseas migration.
Statistics of Migration
Migration is a complex and constantly evolving phenomenon that is not always easy to measure accurately. In Australia, the government has been collecting data on migration since the 1920s, but changes in policy and methodology over the years have made it difficult to compare statistics and draw meaningful conclusions. It is therefore important to use caution when interpreting data related to migration flows and settler arrivals.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects a range of data on migration, including net overseas migration (NOM), settler arrival statistics, and data on overseas arrivals and departures. NOM is often used to measure population growth, but it includes both permanent and temporary entrants, and the methodology for calculating it has changed over time. Settler arrival statistics are a better indication of permanent migration flows, but they also include temporary migrants who intend to settle longer term.
The most accurate data on permanent migrants intending to settle in Australia is provided by the Immigration Department’s Migration Program visa grant outcomes. However, not all migrants who are granted visas end up taking them, and accurate data is only available back to the 1980s. It is important to note that other immigration-related data collected by the ABS is often used interchangeably and/or incorrectly, which can result in inaccurate or misleading data being used in public debate.
Despite the challenges in accurately measuring migration, it is clear that Australia has been a major destination for immigrants for decades. Since 1945, over 7.5 million people have settled in Australia, making it one of the world’s major ‘immigration nations’. Permanent migrants enter Australia via the Migration Program for skilled and family migrants or the Humanitarian Program for refugees and those in refugee-like situations. The focus of Australia’s immigration policy has changed over time, with a shift towards attracting economic and temporary migrants in recent years.
One of the most significant developments in the dynamics of migration to Australia since the late 1990s has been the growth in temporary migration. Many of these temporary entrants arrive on student or Temporary Work (Skilled) visas, and the level of temporary migration is demand-driven rather than determined by quotas or caps set by the government. The 457 visa provides a pathway for skilled workers and their dependents to apply for permanent residence, and many students are also eligible to apply for permanent visas upon completing their courses. Temporary migration has been the largest contributor to net overseas migration in recent years, and has driven much of Australia’s population growth.