The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) yesterday released visitor arrivals and departures data for the month of August, which again revealed surging net long-term migration into Australia, but falling net permanent migration.
In the year to August 2013, there were 680,200 permanent and long-term arrivals into Australia (a new record), partly offset by 371,440 permanent and long-term departures from Australia (see next chart).
There were 308,760 net permanent and long-term arrivals into Australia in the year to August 2013, representing a 55% increase from the January 2011 trough and more than double the long-run average (see next chart).
However, while overall net long-term arrivals are booming, it is a different story for permanent migration. In the year to August 2013, permanent arrivals fell by 4% to 152,710, whereas permanent departures rose 5% to their highest ever level of 92,790 (see next chart).
In fact, net permanent arrivals into Australia fell for the twelfth consecutive month and are now tracking 8% below the long-run average (see next chart).
As noted previously, a superficial look at the the ABS data suggests that much of the recent immigration into Australia has been temporary in nature. However, according to the Department of Immigration, around 30% of workers on temporary 457 visas end up becoming permanent residents, suggesting that actual permanent immigration remains at relatively high levels.
