2007-08 Migration Intake

Each year, the Australian government sets the size and composition of the immigration program, including the refugee and humanitarian component.

In deciding the composition of the refugee and humanitarian policy it considers who is in the greatest need of assistance.
Various groups are consulted, including representatives of non – government refugee organisations and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Since 1945, Australia has welcomed more than 6.6 million people from all over the world, including around 675 000 refugee and humanitarian arrivals.Currently, according to the Department of Immigration, there are an estimated 20 million refugees globally and in absolute numbers, Australia takes more refugees than any country other than the United States.

Since 2001, the largest group of refugees and humanitarian entrants have been from Africa. The proportion reached 70 per cent of the Government’s total intake in 2003-4 and 2004-5.

Data on the pre-migration experiences of humanitarian entrants the Department indicates there was a significant increase in the levels of disadvantage.

For example, of entrants arriving in 2005-06:

• average schooling was 4.3 years compared to 7 years in 2002-03
• 40% had spent time in a refugee camp compared to 15% in 2002-03
• 11% rated their reading ability as good or very good, compared to 27% in 2002-03
• 80% required an interpreter compared to 64% in 2002-03
• 67% were aged under 25 compared to 58% in 2002-03

In 2007, Australia has a growing population of currently 21 million people, with more than 40 per cent of its population either first-generation migrants or their children.