The top five nationalities for migrants settling in Australia are mirrored by those choosing the Smart State as their new home, according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) Settler Arrivals 2009-10 publication.

On a national front, figures show that New Zealand and China are now the top two source countries by birth, with India, the United Kingdom and South Africa making up the remaining countries in the top five.

There were 140 610 settler arrivals in Australia in 2009-10, a decrease of 11 per cent from the previous year. This number of settler arrivals is now near the level it was in 2006-07.

Australia’s migration program is targeted to help grow Australia’s economy and meet critical labour needs.

“The Australian Government has undertaken a series of strategic reforms of the skilled migration program, to make it more responsive to Australia’s labour market demands,” a departmental spokesman said today. “These reforms are about selecting the best and brightest people from a large pool of potential migrants.”

Queensland recorded a drop in migrant settlers from 33 029 in 2008-09 to 24 946 this financial year – a 24.5 per cent decrease.

“This figure is predicted to rise this year with the increased proportion of skilled migrants in the 2010-11 migration program,” the spokesman said.

The government announced in the 2010-11 Budget a total of 168 700 places for migration, comprising a total skill stream of 113 850 places, a total family stream of 54 550 places and 300 special eligibility places.

“This will increase the proportion of skilled migrants to 67.5 per cent of the migration program to further address Australia’s needs as the economic climate improves while still ensuring places for family migration and reunion,” the spokesman said.

Settler Arrivals 2009-10 is the latest in the annual series of statistical publications that provides information on people arriving in Australia to live permanently. The report is available online at: www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/index.htm

Department of Immigration and Citizenship