Foreign-born population – 2024 | 32.3% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
8.6 million, 51% women | Evolution since 2014: +31% | United Kingdom (13%), India (11%), China (10%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Australia received 239 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 0.3% more than in 2023. This figure comprises 12% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 28% labour migrants, 52% family members (including accompanying family) and 8% humanitarian migrants. Around 182 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 310 900 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
India, China and Nepal were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, India registered the strongest increase (11 000) and the United Kingdom the largest decrease (‑1 200) in flows to Australia compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 69%, to reach around 33 000. The majority of applicants came from Iran (4 400), Viet Nam (3 000) and India (2 400). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Iran (2 500) and the largest decrease nationals of Malaysia (‑41). Of the 18 000 decisions taken in 2024, 12% were positive.
Emigration of Australian citizens to OECD countries increased by 0.2% in 2023, to 22 000. Approximately 24% of this group migrated to New Zealand, 19% to the United Kingdom and 16% to the United States.
In 2024‑2025, the Australian Government continued to implement the Migration Strategy, focussing on simplifying the immigration system and addressing workforce shortages. A key reform was the introduction of the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa in December 2024, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. The SID visa comprises of three streams – Specialist Skills, Core Skills and the Labour Agreement stream – which are based on salary thresholds and occupation lists. The SID visa offers a more streamlined process for both migrants and employers, and also provides visa holders with a clearer route to permanent residence.
Changes were also made to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa’s Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Direct Entry (DE) streams. From December 2024 onwards, for the TRT stream, periods of employment with any approved employer count towards the two‑year work experience requirement for permanent residence. This follows amendments implemented in July 2024 that made it easier for sponsored workers in the SID or the Skilled Employer Regional schemes to change employers. Additionally, the DE stream now uses the new Core Skills Occupation List. A new Core Skills Income Threshold now also applies to both streams.
Throughout 2024 a range of changes were implemented to the student visa to address integrity issues identified in the international education sector. Changes include increased English proficiency scores, financial capacity requirements and visa application charges, as well as restrictions on applying for a further stay on a student visa and additional scrutiny to applications suspected of containing fraudulent or misleading information.
In December 2024, the government launched the National Innovation Visa to attract exceptional international talent. This programme replaces the Global Talent visa and the Business Innovation and Investment visa. The NIV is aimed at individuals who have achieved recognition internationally for their expertise or accomplishments in priority sectors such as critical technologies, health industries, or infrastructure and transport.
To support its commitment to combatting worker exploitation, the government has implemented the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, effective from 1 July 2024. The Act introduces new criminal offences relating to coercive work arrangements, imposes enhanced penalties and compliance measures, and grants the relevant authority the power to ban non-compliant employers from hiring additional migrant workers. To support this legislation, the Department of Home Affairs has strengthened its compliance and enforcement capabilities.
Additionally, on 1 July 2024, the Australian Government began implementing the Workplace Justice pilots that amend visa settings to make it easier for temporary migrants to report exploitation and assert their workplace rights. The Strengthening Reporting Protections pilot amends the Migration Regulations to provide protection from visa cancellation in prescribed circumstances. The Workplace Justice Pilot supports temporary migrants who have experienced workplace exploitation to remain in Australia between six and 12 months, (with the option of extending it for up to four years) while they pursue activities related to workplace justice. Once approved, visa holders are permitted to work while resolving their workplace issues.
For further information: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
