The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released visitor arrivals and departures data for the month of January, which revealed another fall in net long-term and permanent migration into Australia.
In the year to January 2014, there were 769,040 permanent and long-term arrivals into Australia – down from the record 792,500 arrivals set in the year to January 2013 – partly offset by 385,070 permanent and long-term departures from Australia (see next chart).
There were 383,970 net permanent and long-term arrivals into Australia in the year to January 2014, representing a 35% increase from the January 2011 trough and well over double the long-run average of 152,136, although the pace is clearly moderating (see next chart).
However, while overall net long-term arrivals continue to boom, albeit at a slower pace, it is a different story for permanent migration. In the year to January 2014, permanent arrivals fell by 3% to 150,560, whereas permanent departures rose 2% to 91,230 – just off record highs (see next chart).
Net permanent arrivals into Australia fell by 10% over the year to the lowest level recorded since January 2012, and are tracking 9% below the long-run average (see next chart).
