In the previous financial year, Australia’s net overseas immigration growth was comparable to the population of Canberra, exceeding the government’s target. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the net immigration for the 2023-2024 financial year was 446,000 people, down from a historic peak of 536,000 in the previous year. Jenny Dobak, the ABS immigration statistics director, noted that this marked the first annual decline in net immigration since the border reopening in the 2021-2022 financial year. The primary reasons for the decline were a reduction in the number of arrivals, especially temporary visa holders, and an increase in the number of people leaving the country. This contrasts sharply with the initial post-pandemic boom after nearly two years of border closures. The previous government, led by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, originally aimed to keep net immigration for the 2023-2024 year under 395,000, with a long-term target of 235,000. Opposition leader Peter Dutton had vowed to reduce it further to 160,000 if elected, but this stance has since been abandoned. Current developments demonstrate that Australia’s immigration policies significantly impact net immigration numbers, with both the government and opposition showcasing the pivotal role of politics in shaping immigration policy. These policies influence not just the number of immigrants but also their structure and quality.
In the 2023-2024 financial year, Australia accepted 667,000 new immigrants, a 10% decrease compared to the previous year, while the number of departures rose to 221,000, an 8% increase. Of the new arrivals, 465,000 held temporary visas, with international students making up the largest group, at 207,000. This indicates that Australia remains a popular destination for international students and reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain global talent. The top five source countries for new immigrants were India, China, Australia (as the overseas expatriate population), the UK, and New Zealand. The average age of new immigrants was 27, while those leaving were on average 31 years old. In the five years prior to the pandemic, Australia accepted an average of 515,000 immigrants annually, with a majority holding temporary visas (307,000 people in total).
Although Australia’s net immigration for the 2023-2024 financial year showed a decline compared to the previous year, it still exceeded the government’s target, reinforcing Australia’s ongoing attractiveness as an immigration destination. A significant portion of the new immigrants were international students, with India and China being the primary contributors, highlighting Australia’s continued global competitiveness in education and its appeal to international talent. Political factors play a key role in shaping immigration policies, and Australia’s efforts to attract and retain global talent continue. For those seeking to immigrate to
Australia through study, it is advisable to consult with professional immigration advisors who can provide personalized advice and guidance to better navigate the complex immigration procedures and requirements.
