Australia's Migration Trends 2011-2012

According to the 2011 Census of Population and Housing, almost half of Australia’s population people were either born overseas or had a migrant parent.

Migration continues to be the major component of population growth in Australia. Between June 1996 and June 2011, Australia’s overseas-born population grew by
41.6 per cent to 6.0 million people.

In 2011–12, the Migration Program delivered 184 998 places, 125 755 of these places went to Skill Stream migrants. The Family Stream outcome for 2011–12 was 58 604 places, a 7.4 per cent increase on the 2010–11 level of 54 543.

India, the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom were the top three source countries for the Migration Program visa places, comprising 43.1 per cent of the total places in 2011–12.

Table 2: Main source countries of Australia’s Migration Program

Country of Citizenship	Migration Program visa places 2011–12
India	29 018
People’s Republic of China	25 509
United Kingdom	25 274
Philippines	12 933
South Africa	7 640
Other countries	84 624
Total	184 998

Source data: Migration Programme Management System (MPMS) and Immigration Management Information Reporting System (IMIRS), DIAC

The planning level for the 2012–13 Migration Program is 190 00 places. This is an increase of 5000 places from 2011–12 and the highest figure on record for Australia. Of the additional 5000 places, there are 3400 Skill Stream places, 1585 Family Stream places and
15 more places planned for Special Eligibility.

Citizenship

Australia has one of the highest citizenship rates in the world, with approximately 8-in-10 eligible migrants acquiring citizenship. In 2011–12, 84 183 people were conferred as Australian citizens, a decrease of 11.6 per cent compared to the previous year (95 284 conferrals).

The United Kingdom remained the largest provider of new citizens to Australia (16 401 conferrals), yet now is more closely followed by India and the People’s Republic of China with 10 076 and 6876 conferrals respectively.