Skilled Migrant Professionals February 2015 | Page 34

Migration

Australia
needs
migrants

I

mmigration has been integral to the development of Australia’s population, economy and society. Australia, with a population of 23.1 million in
2013, is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. Among
this diverse population are the 128,973 skilled migrants granted permanent
visas in 2012-2013 which accounted for 67 per cent of all permanent visas
under the Migrant Program.
The top five migrant source countries under the Migration Program remained the same, and once again India took the lead followed by the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom, the Philippines and South
Africa.
Western Australia (WA) has benefited from this diversity and has the
largest proportion of overseas-born people in Australia—more than half a
million people, or 27 per cent of the population were born overseas. The
WA Government recognises and promotes cultural diversity as one of our
greatest assets, an asset that throughout history has added to the social
and cultural richness, and economic prosperity of this state.
Research shows that people from culturally, linguistically and religiously
diverse backgrounds - and with a range of skills - foster creativity and innovation. They also enhance and increase high technology, business formation, job generation, economic growth and achievement.
In 2012, an analysis of the migration (including humanitarian) program
by the then Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) indicated
that over the first 10 years of settlement, migrants provide a net fiscal benefit of over $10 billion. For WA, the net fiscal contribution for their first year
of settlement is $355 million.
WA’s top 50 rich list released in November 2014 indicated that around
20 per cent on the rich list were of diverse ethnic backgrounds including
Polish, Sicilian, Czechoslovakian, Greek, Italian and Malaysian migrant heritage. Combined, their net personal value is approximately $3.4 billion.
The contribution of migrants, both temporary and permanent, to WA
extends beyond direct economic terms. Migrants have enriched the cosmopolitan vibrancy of the state through, for example, its residents’ choices of
food, as well as artistic, recreational and cultural pursuits.
WA’s reputation as a hospitable state with a strong economy and its
increasing cultural diversity will attract further migration. This reputation
will be critical in maintaining the state’s future workforces. The state’s
diversity will help to consolidate our links with our neighbours, and with
the rest of the world, as global trade and the migration of workers con-

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www.smpmagazine.com.au | February 2015

by Rebecca Ball
Executive Director, Office of
Multicultural Interests

tinue to shape the environment in which Australian, and Western Australian companies operate.
China is WA’s strongest trading partner and our biggest export market,
taking approximately 47 per cent of the state’s total merchandise exports
valued at $54.4 billion in 2012–2013. These exports accounted for 69.5
per cent of Australia’s total merchandise exports to China. The landmark
conclusion of negotiations for the China-Australia Free Trade Agree