China largest source of migrants to Australia

Australia, 11th August: China has become the largest source of migrants to Australia, latest official figures indicate.

New Australian government figures maintain that the number of immigrants to Australia from China has increased by a fifth taking the total figures to 29,547.

Historic increase in Chinese migrants to Australia--The numbers of immigrants coming to Australia from India and the UK in the year till June 30 happen to be 21,768 and 23,391 respectively, revealed Australian immigration minister Chris Bowen.

Giving details about the 223-year historic increase in the number of Chinese coming to Australia, Mr. Bowen further maintained that the total intake of immigrants in Australia has been 168,885 this year.

It may be worth mentioned that Australia is facing a severe shortage of skilled workforce in the mining and energy sector. Another factor worth considerable here is that China happens to be the largest trading partner of Australia.

Skilled immigrants bring in great advantages to the nation’s economy since their employment gives a big boost to the economic development. Moreover the fact that majority of such immigrant workers are quite young, this offsets the effect of ageing workforce of the nation, Mr. Bowen added.

Increase in Chinese migrants offsets decline from India and the UK—The recent increase in the number of Chinese migrants to Australia comes at a time when the number of immigrants hailing from India and the UK went down.

As per the figures, the number of Indians immigrating to Australia went down by 6 percent.

Similarly, the number of migrants from UK coming to Australia also witnessed a downward trend. Figures show the numbers went down to 24,000 for the fifth consecutive year.

Reasons for decline in the number of Indians moving to Australia is largely due to racial attacks on Indian students in Australia in the year 2009.

Moreover, crackdown by Australia on fake vocational schools also resulted in lesser number of Indians choosing Australia for studying. As of now, majority of immigrants coming to Australia in the year 2010-11 are coming as skilled workers, Mr. Bowen added.

Among the most lucrative occupations under Australia skilled immigration program happen to be computing professionals, registered nurses, cooks and accountants.