The current population of Australia is 26,348,282 as of Thursday, May 18, 2023, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. In 2022-23, overseas migration contributed a net gain of 171,000 people to the Australian population.

As part of its budget for 2022–2023, the Australian government set aside a sizeable sum for a skills package to help employees upgrade their abilities in fields with employment potential. Australia’s population growth from 30 June 1991 to 30 June 2021 averaged 1.3% yearly.

The domestic skill base will benefit from these measures, but what about businesses that depend on global labor markets? Australian news and expert commentary emphasize measures encouraging economic immigration to overcome significant skill gaps in regional businesses.

Fortunately, there are now more skilled immigration and visa options accessible, according to the Australian government. To accommodate skilled employees, the Australian government desires a global labor market. Additionally, they are running several worker initiatives and streamlining the visa application process.

Australia has unveiled its migration program targets for the 2022-2023 period, which will consist of 160,000 positions. Among these, two-thirds will be allocated to the skills stream, while the remaining one-third will be dedicated to the family stream. This article will showcase the latest immigration trends in Australia, supported by recent statistical data, that make relocating in 2023 a favorable choice.

Recent Australian immigration trends favor moving in 2023

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The current immigration trends in Australia are both intriguing and complementary, and they will strengthen your desire to move to Australia in the near future. Here are a few noteworthy immigration trends that indicate a greater potential for obtaining permanent residency in Australia.

Australia increases PR intake by 35000 for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
Vacancies in the public sector have increased by 10.5% since May 2022, which is expected to continue.
Census data for 2021 in Australia show that the tech and healthcare industries are becoming more reliant on immigration.
Female representation in ICT jobs is expected to be higher.
Unrestricted entry to Australia has been allowed since July 6, 2022.
Increasing international student enrollment.
Visas for creativity

1. Australia increases PR intake by 35000 for the fiscal year 2022-2023

Australia has raised the number of permanent residency positions by 35,000 for the fiscal year 2022-2023 in response to the country’s growing skills and labor shortage. This increase applies to various visa subclasses, making it easier for many individuals to obtain permanent residency in Australia. Experts predict that similar or additional goals will be set in the near future.

2. Vacancies in the public sector have increased by 10.5% since May 2022, which is expected to continue.

Job vacancies in the public sector have risen by 10.5% since May 2022, and this trend is expected to continue. As of May 2022, there were 480,100 job vacancies in Australia, representing a nearly 100% increase since February 2020. The country is currently facing a shortage of skilled workers in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, tourism, technology, and healthcare. Business councils in Australia have suggested raising the annual immigration cap to over 2,20,000 to address this shortage.

3. Australia shows that the tech and healthcare industries are becoming more reliant on immigration.

Recent data from the 2021 Australia Census reveals that Australia’s tech and healthcare industries increasingly depend on immigration to bridge the skills gap. About two-thirds of software and applications programmers were born outside of Australia, and this occupation is the third most common for recent overseas arrivals. The health and community services workforce has also seen a 50% increase in the last decade, with over 600,000 additional employees. More than four in ten nurses and caregivers were born abroad.

4. Female representation in ICT jobs is expected to be higher.

There is an expectation of higher female representation in ICT jobs. Currently, one in five ICT professionals and managers in Australia are women, which is promising for female immigrants seeking well-paying jobs. Surprisingly, one in three ICT managers and ICT business and systems analysts in Australia are women under 30. Australia plans to attract female IT enthusiasts through female-focused programs, internships, scholarships, and inclusive hiring practices. They aim to provide equal opportunities for learning and advancement within organizations, supported by working moms and mentorship programs. The industry also needs to improve its marketing to young female students.

5. Unrestricted entry to Australia

Australia, which implemented stringent border controls during the pandemic, has now removed all mandatory entry requirements, such as proof of vaccination or negative test reports, starting from July 6. This unrestricted entry is crucial for reducing processing times for Australian student visas and other skilled worker programs. It will also address the backlog of visas, enabling a faster intake of skilled foreign workers.

6. Increasing international student enrollment.

International student enrollment is expected to increase gradually in 2023, but the government is focusing on opening doors for skilled visas. Policy changes include eliminating the requirement for nomination of a skilled occupation and assessment for Subclass 485 visa applications in the graduate work stream. The Job Ready Program (JRP) for international students will be reduced from four to three steps, resulting in time and cost savings for many students.

7. Visas for creativity

The Global Talent Visas aim to attract internationally recognized leaders in their respective fields to work in Australia. These visas cater to employers who struggle to fill specialized positions through existing skilled visa programs like the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. Eligible businesses can benefit from priority application processing, and customized requirements for the TSS visa can be negotiated. The Australian government’s focus is on innovation and STEM skills. This year, over 15,000 GTES visas are available, with an expected increase in 2023 and beyond. Additionally, temporary workers from specific parts of the world are being brought in to address the skill crisis.