Australia Breaks Records for Skilled Migration

Australia has had the highest skill stream intake on record, according to latest figures from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

• People from the United Kingdom form the largest existing migrant group in every Australian State and Territory.
• The UK was the number one source for 2005/2006 settler arrivals in South Australia (3,009 people), Western Australia (6,717 people) and Tasmania (177 people).
• The UK was the number two source for arrivals in Victoria (3,588 people, behind India’s 4,295 people) and Queensland (5,068 people, behind New Zealand’s 8,866 people).
• The UK was the number three source for arrivals in New South Wales (4,561 people behind China’s 5,296 people and India’s 4,615 people.)

DIAC branch assistant secretary Greg Mills said,

“In 2005-06, the Migration Programme received 142,930 places, with more than 97,000 places in the skill stream.”

“The Government increased the family stream places to 45,290 for 2005-06.”

“Employer sponsored and state/territory government sponsored migration increased by 17 and 47 per cent respectively.”

Western Australia and Queensland had the highest population growth rates (2.0 and 1.9 per cent respectively).

The table below shows the proportions of migrants from all countries going to each Australian state:

Settler Arrivals By State

State	Percentage of Settlers Who Moved To State (%)
New South Wales	33.9%
Victoria	24.5%
Queensland	18.9%
Western Australia	13.4%
South Australia	6.9%
Australian Capital Territory	1.0%
Tasmania	0.7%
Northern Territory	0.6%