Immigration to Australia

Immigration to Australia is estimated to have begun around 50,000 years ago[1] when the ancestors of Australian Aborigines arrived on the continent via the islands of the Malay Archipelago and New Guinea.

Europeans first landed in the 1600s and 1700s, but colonisation only started in 1788. The overall level of immigration has grown substantially during the last decade and a half. Net overseas migration increased from 30,042 in 1992-93[2] to 177,600 in 2006-07.[3] This is the highest level on record. The largest components of immigration are the skilled migration and family re-union programs. In recent years the mandatory detention of unauthorised arrivals by boat has generated great levels of controversy.

During 2004-05, a total of 123,424 people immigrated to Australia. Of them, 17,736 were from Africa, 54,804 from Asia, 21,131 from Oceania, 18,220 from United Kingdom, 1,506 from South America, and 2,369 from Eastern Europe.[4]

131,000 people migrated to Australia in 2005-06[5] and migration target for 2006-07 was 143,000.[6] The planning level for the 2007–08 Migration Programme has been set in the range of 142 800 to 152 800 places, plus 13 000 in the Humanitarian Programme.[7]

The federal government also found that if it wanted immigrants it had to subsidise migration. It was very easy to control the number of immigrants needed during different stages of the economic cycle by varying the subsidy.

After World War II, Australia launched a massive immigration programme, believing that having narrowly avoided a Japanese invasion, Australia must "populate or perish." Hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans migrated to Australia and over 1,000,000 British Subjects immigrated under the Assisted Migration Scheme, colloquially becoming known as Ten Pound Poms. The qualifications were very simple; if you were of European ancestry, reasonably healthy, and without a criminal record, you would be accepted.

Around 1970 there was a fundamental change in immigration policy, since for the first time since 1788 there were more migrants wanting to come (even without a subsidy) than the government wanted to accept. All subsidies were abolished, and immigration became progressively more difficult.

During the 2001 election campaign, asylum-seekers and border protection became a hot issue, as a result of incidents such as the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Tampa affair, Children overboard affair, and the sinking of the SIEV-X. This incident marked the beginning of the controversial Pacific Solution. The Howard government's success in the election was largely due to the strong public support for its restrictive policy on asylum-seekers. However, the overall level of immigration increased substantially over the life of the Howard Government.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics[10] in mid-2006 4,956,863 of the Australian resident population were born outside Australia, representing 24% of the total Australian resident population.

Country of Birth Estimated Resident Population[11]


United Kingdom 1,153,264
New Zealand 476,719
China 279,447
Italy 220,469
Vietnam 180,352
India 153,579
Philippines 135,619
Greece 125,849
South Africa 118,816
Germany 114,921
Malaysia 103,947
Netherlands 86,950
Lebanon 86,599
Sri Lanka 70,908
Serbia and Montenegro 68,879
Indonesia 67,952
United States 64,832
Poland 59,221
Fiji 58,815
Ireland 57,338
Croatia 56,540

[edit] Settlement patterns

There are some differences in settlement patterns, as demonstrated in the statistics compiled at the 2006 Census.[12] New South Wales has the largest population, and the largest foreign born population, in Australia (1,544,023). Certain nationalities are highly concentrated in this state: 74.5% of Lebanese-born, 63.1% of Iraqi-born, 63.0% of South Korean-born, 59.4% of Fijian-born and 59.4% of Chinese-born Australian residents live in New South Wales.

Victoria, the second most populous state, also has the second largest number of overseas-born persons (1,161,984). 50.6% of Sri Lankan-born, 50.1% of Turkish-born, 49.4% of Greek-born and 41.6% of Italian-born Australian residents were enumerated in this state.

Western Australia, with 528,827 overseas-born residents, has the highest proportion of its population being foreign-born. The state attracts 29.6% of all Singapore-born Australian residents, and is narrowly behind New South Wales in having the largest population of British-born.

Queensland had 695,525 overseas-born residents, and attracted the greatest proportion of persons born in Papua New Guinea (52.4%) and New Zealand (38.2%).

Migration Agents

It is possible to employ migration agents or lawyers to assist with a visa application to Australia. Such persons who provide immigration assistance are regulated by a governing Authority called the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Although there is a significant difference in education and training between migration agents and lawyers, migration agents must complete a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice. However since 1998 over 18% of the MARA’s sanction decisions have been against lawyer agents with a legal practising certificate. To identify how many years an agent has been registered from, the first two numbers of their seven digit registration number will show the year. Only agents registered pre March 28, 1998 can have a five digit number.[56]

Migration and settlement services

There are a variety of community-based services that cater to the needs of newly-arrived migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, some of which receive funding from the Commonwealth Government, such as Migrant Resource Centres. Asylum seekers, however, are denied access to such services and there are only a very small number of specific asylum seeker services catering to their needs.



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Australian Law, Values and Customs

Many Cultures

The people of this nation value their success at building a tolerant and inclusive society that is rich in culture from many lands. We have come from many parts of the world yet we have many common values and principles uniting us. We live by the Rule of Law. Religions and cultural practices from all parts of the world exist side by side with the secular legal system we have in Australia.

We all should have a duty to our nation's interests and future. While we are all different, our shared future and duty to harmony unites us. Within this point of view, each of us, by ourself or as a group, is welcome to contribute to the common good. Our success as a society is largely due to all of us living together without letting the past affect duty to our nation and its future.
Rights

We can vote in or stand for an election. Voting gives us the right to choose a representative in Parliament, and to influence how they run our country. An Australian citizen who is qualified has the right to stand for an election. Our democracy gives us the right to change ruling parties on a regular and peaceful basis by the use of elections.

We are all entitled to equal rights and to equal respect. Our laws make sure that no one is subject to discrimination because of their race, their colour, their religion or gender. Each of us has a right to participate in our community and achieve our full potential, no matter what our background is. All Australians have the right of freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and freedom of movement.
Values and Principles

In return for the rights and freedoms, all of us should have an overriding duty to Australia. We are to accept the principles and civic values of our community. They are:

* The rule of law
* The democratic principles of government (and institutions such as the Constitution and parliamentary democracy)
* Acceptance of cultural diversity (tolerance)
* Equality of sexes and ethnic backgrounds
* Equality of opportunity
* Freedom of speech and religion
* English as the national language

Tolerance

As a community, we agree that to express one's own culture and beliefs means that we accept the right of others to express their views and values. It is unlawful to insult, humiliate, offend or intimidate another person or group in public because of their race.

See: Racial vilification law in Australia

For more information on specific rights enjoyed by Australians

Australians enjoy Five FUndamental Freedoms valued by our culture and our law.

Freedom of speech

Australians are free, within the bounds of the law, to say or write what we think privately or publicly, about the government, or about any topic. We do not censor the media and may criticise the government without fear of arrest. Free speech comes from facts, not rumours, and the intention must be constructive, not to do harm. There are laws to protect a person's good name and integrity against false information. There are laws against saying or writing things to incite hatred against others because of their culture, ethnicity or background. Freedom of speech is not an excuse to harm others.

Freedom of association

We are free to join any organisation or group if it is legal. We can choose to belong to a trade union or to a political party. Having and debating points of view allows for a healthy and strong democracy.
Freedom of assembly

We are free to meet with other people in public or private places. We can meet in small or large groups for legal social or political purposes. Being able to protest and to demonstrate is an accepted form of free expression. Protestors must not be violent or break laws such as assaulting others or trespassing on private or public property. People can change governments in a peaceful way by elections and not by violence.

Freedom of religion

Australia does not have an official or state religion. The law does not enforce any religious doctrine, however, religious practices must conform to the law. We are free to follow any religion we choose. We are also free not to have a religion.
Freedom of movement

We can move freely to and from all states and territories. We can leave and return to Australia at any time. Some migrants may have conditions placed on their visa until they become Australian citizens.

What to expect

On arrival

The first step to enter Australia is at the immigration desk. You will need your passport with visa and Incoming Passenger Card. The official there records your arrival and returns your papers to you. You then collect your baggage, which Customs officers may check. They look for prohibited goods or items that have not been declared.

This is the end of official checks and you are now in the arrivals hall. This is where your family, friends or sponsor can greet you. This is where you can also change money, get transport and arrange short-term accommodation. There may be an arrivals information desk to provide answers to your questions.

You will need local cash soon so this is a good time to change money. Common usage is $20, $10 and $5 notes and $2 and $1 coins. The exchange rate varies often and you will pay a commission.
Travel from arrival point

If you are travelling on to another destination on the same day, you may want to transfer to a domestic air terminal or to a train/coach terminal. Airline staff members can assist you with transfer to a domestic terminal but you will need to get to the train/coach terminus by public transport.

You may wish to hire a car. You will need a driver's licence and there may be other restrictions. Talk to the staff at car rental booths for more help. The location of public transport such as taxi, bus and maybe train, will be signposted and a worker may be on duty to help with directions.
Accommodation

If you have not already booked somewhere to stay, you can do so at the airport. The cost and quality can vary greatly. Some accommodation places will provide a transfer for you. Seek help from staff at the arrivals information desk.

More Government Info on Moving to Australia

Financial matters

Check that you complete all the financial, taxation and legal matters that affect you and your family. You may need to set up bank accounts that operate from both your old and new country.
Travel plans

Make all your travel plans; find out contact details for relatives, sponsors and friends in Australia ; and inform them of your itinerary; leave your new contact details with friends and family before you leave.
Important documents

You will need some documents a lot when you first arrive. These include the originals of birth, marriage, medical and work records. You can bring school reports for children and your university or trade papers. You will need your passport for travel.

Customs

If you plan to bring electrical items with you, check that they meet Australian standards. If you plan to bring personal and household goods with you, check that they meet custom's laws in Australia. We do not allow most animal and plant material and the country you leave may stop the export of religious and cultural items. The country you leave may limit the cash you take out. You must also declare large sums of overseas currency at customs when you arrive.

Some Government Info About Living in Australia

There are many issues that you should consider before applying to migrate. It is essential that you think about how you will provide for yourself and your family for at least your first two years in Australia.

The Form 994i, 'Settlement information for migrants to Australia' provides information about the following topics:

* Cost of living in Australia
* Medical costs
* Employment in Australia
* Language education
* Two-year waiting period for social security benefits
* Help for families with children

See: Form 994i - Settlement information for migrants to Australia (82KB PDF file)
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/994i.pdf