Emigrating to Australia: A Historical Perspective

The influx of immigrants between 1945 and 1965 increased the population from seven million to eleven million and dramatically changed the cultural, culinary and psychological face of Australia. During this period of rapid population growth, the Australian Government tried to prevent the immigration of Asian and Pacific Islander people by passing the Immigration Restriction Bill, more commonly known as the 'White Australian Policy'. This Bill was later revoked. Until recently, Australian immigration policies encouraged British applications for permanent residency and citizenship and, as a consequence, most of the United Kingdom's population seems to have at least one relative living in Australia.

With a stable political environment and one of the world's most innovative, deregulated free market economies, Australia relies on service and leading-edge industries as well as its traditional role as a commodity exporter. A A$2.9 billion, five-year programme called 'Backing Australia's Ability' provides funding to enhance innovative skills and develop new technology and the use of ecommerce to promote commercial success. More than 840 international companies have established their Asia Pacific headquarters in Australia to take advantage of the advanced communications infrastructure and wide range of native Asian language skills available.

The latter is the result of Australia's planned 50-year post-war immigration policy, which has welcomed nearly six million migrants, including over 600,000 refugees. Assuming that current immigration policies continue, preliminary figures estimate that Australia's economy will benefit over the next ten years by the equivalent of A$30 billion at present rates. Research shows that only 18 months after settling into their new home, recent skilled migrants' earnings are well above the national average weekly wage. Immigration has created a diverse multicultural society with a huge impact on, and benefit to, all aspects of the Australian community. With a great climate, food, wine, friendly people, cosmopolitan and relaxed lifestyle, Australia is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations and a desirable place to live.