Australia Stricter Migration Rules

• Whilst Singapore has a high percentage of foreign workers, the proportion found in Australia is lower due to a recent history of restrictive migration policies.
• Australia currently operates a points system for economic migrant called the Migration Programme.
• 2018-2019: only 160,000 economic migrants were granted access to Australia (this figure includes the dependants of skilled foreign workers already living there).
• Almost 50% of migrants from 2018-2019 came from 3 countries: China, UK and India.
• Until 1973, Australia's government selected migrants largely on a racial and ethnic basis. This was sometimes referred to as the 'White Australia' policy.
• What type of migration policies does Australia operate?

  Restrictive migration policies
• How does Australia assess economic migrants?

  It operates a point system for assessment
• What gaps in the labor market does Australia aim to fill with migration?

  Teaching, healthcare, and engineering
• How many visas does Australia give out each year?

  Roughly 200,000 visas
• How does the number of visas issued change annually?

  It alternates yearly based on labor market needs
• What percentage of visas are issued to skilled economic migrants?

  68%
• What percentage of visas are issued to family members?

  32%
• From which countries do most migrants come to Australia?

  Commonwealth countries like India and New Zealand
• What happens to illegal immigrants in Australia?

  They are sent to offshore islands for processing
• How long can the processing of illegal immigrants take?

  Up to 3 years
• How do migrants contribute to the Australian economy?

  Migrants pay higher taxes, 10% more than others
• What is the median age of migrants in Australia?

  37 years
• What would the median age in Australia be without international migrants?

  It would be in the high 40s
• How is the Australian government responding to migration issues during the pandemic?

  They fast-tracked medical visas