Fewer migrants to Australia, but a rise in Indian, Chinese settlers

Australia absorbed more than 20,000 Indians over the past year, almost 1000 more than for the same time a year earlier.

There were 18,680 arrivals from China in the year to September, about 1300 more than in the previous 12-month period, says the ABS report Overseas Arrivals and Departures Australia August 2015.

However, most other birthplace groups recorded fewer numbers over the past year.

For example, the number of UK-born settlers dropped from 9580 to 8170, while the number of New Zealanders fell from 18,860 to 16,670.

Recent data confirmed that Australia’s population growth was slowing and was at its lowest level in a decade, mainly due to fewer migrants.

As for short-term visitor arrivals, the ABS report said that New Zealanders were the number one group to come in August with 110,500 people, followed by Chinese (85,600), Brits (57,500), US-born (48,700), Singaporeans (34,100), Malaysians (28,500) and Japanese (27,700).

The report said that New Zealand was the most popular destination for short-term resident departures with 104,300 going there in August.