Populations of New Zealand and Australia at the Millennium

A joint Special Issue of the Journal of Population Research and the New Zealand Population Review

Edited by Gordon A. Carmichael with A. Dharmalingam

Published September 2002
ISBN 0-9578572-1-7

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IMMIGRATION ISSUES IN AUSTRALIA
Siew-Ean Khoo, The Australian National University
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Abstract
Four main immigration issues in Australia at the beginning of the new millennium can be identified. First, increased net migration from New Zealand is a new and important trend, and New Zealand has overtaken the United Kingdom as the largest contributor of immigrants to Australia. Second, Australia, as part of the global market for skilled migrants, is placing increased emphasis on skilled migration. Third, there has been a shift to temporary entry arrangements for business, refugee and family migration that, together with the increase in temporary arrivals such as students and working holiday makers, has resulted in temporary migration becoming as important as permanent migration. Finally, there has also been a significant rise in illegal immigration. The policy context and implications of these trends are discussed.

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