Migrant Number Reduction 2023-24.
62% of Australian voters have said that Australian migration intake is too high, according to a survey released by the Sydney Morning Herald, on Monday 11 December 2023.
Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, stated that Australia’s migration numbers need to be reduced to a “sustainable level”.
Net immigration is expected to have reached a record 510,000 in 2022-23, mainly caused by an increase in international student arrivals.
On 2 September 2022, Australia increased its intake of permanent migrants by 35,000 to 195,000 for 2022-23, in a bid to cover widespread staff shortages. It will also bring Australia’s immigration target much closer to the annual cap of 190,000 that was in place between 2013 and 2019.
The planned immigration target was cut to 160,000 just before the COVID-19 hit the country in 2021.
The two figures of migration numbers; 510,000 and 195,000, are two very different types of migration numbers.
The 195,000 is only counting those on Permanent Resident Visas, not including student visa applications.
The 510,000 figure is shown in a quote by the Australian Financial Review (AFR):
It comes amid growing public concern about the record-high rate of arrivals, which hit 510,000 last year as students and holidaymakers returned after COVID lockdowns.
Note that the inclusion of Students and holidaymakers that were mentioned. These are NOT Permanent visas.
It has been found that over 50% of Graduate Visa holders (from Student Visas) are only employed in low-skill jobs that are NOT considered to be an asset to apply for permanent residency.
Stricter rules for Student visa applications are being introduced partly because “non-genuine students and unscrupulous education providers.” have exploited loopholes in the Student visa system.
Sources:
afr.com/…/2023-12-10