06 June 2008

Population of Australia soars, with immigration boosting it

The number of people living in Australia has risen to a record rate, with immigration being cited as the reason for some of the influx. Figures from the Bureau of Statistics show the number of people living in the country is increasing by one million every three years, producing the biggest population growth ever seen in Australia, reports the Age.

Businesses recruiting skilled Australian immigration workers from overseas have driven the number of people entering the country, with temporary visas to Australia accounting for 100,000 people in the six months to April. This is set to increase as the government increased the number of Australian visa places by 31,000 last month.

The population of Victoria has grown at a similar rate, increasing by 82,430 people last year, even more than during the gold rush in the 1850s. Immigration to Australia accounted for one per cent of this rise, with migration from other areas accounting for more than half.

Australia needs skilled workers: Anyone applying for an Australian visa should begin by completing the Australian Visa Bureau's online Australian visa application to see if they meet the Australian visa requirements.