Key trends of Australia immigration policy: 1996-2018

The Australia Immigration Policy has transformed enormously since 1996. Consecutive waves of immigrants from all across the world have outlined Australia’s development and character. From creating the Department of Immigration in the post-war era to the public slogan ‘populate or perish’, its migration policy has come a long way.

The broader Australia immigration policy has been transformed over the last generation. This has been with a minimal consultative debate among the public, as quoted by the Guardian.

The yearly immigration intake of Australia is decided by the Government in the federal budget. The productivity commission of Australia has said that its immigration policy is the de facto policy for the population.

Immigration experts have contended that the consecutive governments since those led by John Howard have modified the immigration regime beyond recognition from the origin in the post-war era. This is inclusive of the nature, emphasis, and size of the immigration program of Australia.

Below are the Key trends of Australia Immigration policy since 1996 to present times:

• The enormous expansion of the intake of Australia PR immigrants – 208, 000 in 2017 from 85, 000 in 1996
• India and China have emerged as the top 2 source nations of immigrants to Australia
• Focus has shifted to skilled immigration from family immigration. 2/3rds of the immigration program was accounted for by family immigration 1996 and 1/3rd by skilled immigration. In 2017, the ratio has been reversed.
• A huge increase in provisional immigration to Australia through the overseas students and short-term Work Visas
• The increase in 2-step immigration wherein those with short-term visas obtain the Australia PR
• The emergence of immigration as the chief propellant of increase in population rather than births or natural increase

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