According to ABS statistics, the numbers of Migrants arriving in Australia, and the numbers permanently leaving Australia, are as follows:
Between January 1976 and July 2009 (34 years and 1 month)
- 3,417,690 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 1,207,840 Permanent Departures
This appears to show that 35.3% left at some point during their lives, but the “Permanent Departures” may also include citizens departing.
To try to compare trends, I have also calculated the following periods:
10 Years from 1976 to 1985
- 828,470 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 227,900 Permanent Departures
27.5% appear to have left at some point during their lives
10 Years from 1986 to 1995
- 1,087,310 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 255,800 Permanent Departures
23.5% appear to have left at some point during their lives
10 Years from 1996 to 2005
- 977,410 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 451,400 Permanent Departures
46.2% appear to have left at some point during their lives
Using longer periods, but all ending July 2009, we see the following:
January 1976 and July 2009 (34 years and 1 month)
- 3,417,690 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 1,207,840 Permanent Departures
This appears to show that 35.3% left at some point during their lives
January 1986-July 2009 (24 years and 1 month)
- 2,589,220 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 979,940 Permanent Departures
This appears to show that 37.8% left at some point during their lives
January 1996-July 2009 (14 years and 1 month)
- 1,501,910 Permanent Settler Arrivals
- 724,140 Permanent Departures
This appears to show that 48.2% left at some point during their lives
The above figures cover people from all nationalities.
It does seem to show that a larger percentage of migrants are now leaving, than they did in the past.
However, my earlier point about the “Permanent Departures may also include citizens departing”, was born out by figures from the Department of Immigration, which shows 37,779 Permanent Departures for Overseas Born for the Financial Year 2007-08.
This compares to 76,920 total Permanent Departures shown by the ABS statistics, which presumably includes 39,141 Australian borns that are “permanently departing overseas”.
British Born Migrants leaving Australia
Figures specifically for UK born migrants are shown at: http://www.britzinoz.com/page.php?172 and show that about 25% of British Born migrants leave the country permanently, although many stay for a long time before leaving. Less than 10% leave within the first 5 years.
Analysis
As I can’t seem to be sure about the numbers of “Overseas Born” compared to “Australian Born” leaving the country permanently, the closest I can seem to get is to estimate that about half are Australian born, per the calculation shown above.
If that was to be correct, then the averages do seem to be in line with the British figures of about 25% leaving at some stage in their lives.
The above information is source from statistics shown at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3401.0?OpenDocument and http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/statistical-info/oad/
Migration Program Outcomes, not including New Zealand citizens.
| Financial Year (Jul-Jun) | Visas Issued |
| 2005-06 | 142,930 |
| 2006-07 | 148,200 |
| 2007-08 | 158,630 |
| 2008-09 | 171,320 |
| 2009-10 Planning Level | 168,700 |