The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) yesterday released visitor arrivals and departures data for the month of September, which revealed a slight reduction in net long-term migration into Australia, as well as ongoing falls in net permanent migration.
In the year to September 2013, there were 679,160 permanent and long-term arrivals into Australia (down from last month’s record of 680,200), partly offset by 372,020 permanent and long-term departures from Australia (see next chart).
There were 307,140 net permanent and long-term arrivals into Australia in the year to September 2013, representing a 54% increase from the January 2011 trough and more than double the long-run average (see next chart).
However, while overall net long-term arrivals continues to boom, it is a different story for permanent migration. In the year to September 2013, permanent arrivals fell by 4% to 152,420, whereas permanent departures rose 5% to their highest ever level of 92,920 (see next chart).
In fact, net permanent arrivals into Australia fell for the 13th consecutive month and are now tracking 9% 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.
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