ASIAN SKILLED MIGRATION TO AND FROM AUSTRALIA: PATTERNS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: ASIAN SKILLED MIGRATION TO AND FROM AUSTRALIA: PATTERNS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS by
Graeme Hugo
Federation Fellow
Professor of Geography and Director of the National Centre
for Social Applications of GIS
The University of Adelaide
Paper prepared for the Fourth International Conference on Population Geographers, Hong Kong
10-13 July 2007
Outline of Paper: Outline of Paper Introduction
Complexity in South-North Migration
Australian International Migration Data
Asian Skilled Migration to Australia
Migration from Australia to Asia
A China Case Study
Some Implications
Conclusion
South-North Skilled Migration: South-North Skilled Migration The increasing skill focus of migration programs in destination countries
The development literature on the positive effects of emigration
The increasing transnational focus in migration research and policy
Brain Drain vs Brain Gain vs Brain Circulation: Brain Drain vs Brain Gain vs Brain Circulation
Return Migration: Return Migration Long history in migration research
New conceptualisation of return
Permanent vs temporary
Virtual return, diaspora
Increasing policy interest in how to facilitate and enhance all forms of return
Lack of empirical evidence
Australian Immigration Data: Australian Immigration Data Stocks: Quinquennial Censuses – suite of
questions
Flows: Departure and Arrival Cards
Slide7: permanent movement – persons migrating to Australia and residents departing permanently;
long term movement – temporary visa holders arriving and residents departing temporarily with the intention to stay in Australia or abroad for twelve months or more, and the departure of temporary visa holders and the return of residents who had stayed in Australia or abroad for twelve months or more;
short term movement – travellers whose intended or actual stay in Australia or abroad is less than twelve months.
Introduction of the Personal Identifier: Introduction of the Personal Identifier Mid 1998
Allows examination of all moves of specific individuals
Used in current research to examine post-arrival mobility of Asian permanent arrivals
Australia: A Country of Immigration: Australia: A Country of Immigration 23 percent born overseas
One fifth Australia-born with an overseas-born parent(s)
630,513 persons temporarily present at 30/6/06
289,300 with the right to work
345,761 given temporary residence in 2002-03
131,593 incoming permanent settlers in 2005-06
1 million expatriates outside Australia
Australia: Migration Program Outcomes by Stream, 1989-90 to 2006-07 Source: DIMIA Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, various issues : Australia: Migration Program Outcomes by Stream, 1989-90 to 2006-07 Source: DIMIA Population Flows: Immigration Aspects, various issues
Australia: Asia-Born Settler Arrivals by Region, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC unpublished data : Australia: Asia-Born Settler Arrivals by Region, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC unpublished data
Asian Permanent Migration to Australia, 1994-2006: Asian Permanent Migration to Australia, 1994-2006 440,954
37.3 percent of total migration
China - 92,590
India - 66,308
Philippines - 41,800
Vietnam - 30,784
Indonesia - 29,442
Hong Kong SAR - 25,800
Ratio of Family:Skill: Ratio of Family:Skill 1994-94 1.23
1996-97 1.06
1998-99 0.86
2002-03 0.70
2004-05 0.61
Australia: Asia-Born and Total Settler Arrivals – Category of Traveller by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2004-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures : Australia: Asia-Born and Total Settler Arrivals – Category of Traveller by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2004-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures
Australia: Long-Term Visitor Arrivals by Birthplace, 1993-94 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC unpublished data : Australia: Long-Term Visitor Arrivals by Birthplace, 1993-94 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC unpublished data
Australia: Long Term Arrivals of Asia-born and Total Persons by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures: Australia: Long Term Arrivals of Asia-born and Total Persons by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures
Overseas Students in Australian Universities, 1983-2005 Source: DEST Students: Selected Higher Education Statistics, various issues : Overseas Students in Australian Universities, 1983-2005 Source: DEST Students: Selected Higher Education Statistics, various issues
Increasing Onshore Migration: Increasing Onshore Migration Percent of all settlers 2002-06 onshore - 26.1
Percent of all settlers from Asia 2002-06 onshore - 31.8
Australia: Visa Category of Permanent Additions from Asia, 2002-06 Source: DIMA Immigration Update, various issues: Australia: Visa Category of Permanent Additions from Asia, 2002-06 Source: DIMA Immigration Update, various issues
Nexus Between Student Migration and Permanent Settlement Australia: Onshore Migrants, 2001-02 to 2005-06 Source: DIMA Population Flows: Immigration Aspects and Immigration Update, various issues: Nexus Between Student Migration and Permanent Settlement Australia: Onshore Migrants, 2001-02 to 2005-06 Source: DIMA Population Flows: Immigration Aspects and Immigration Update, various issues
Australia: Overseas Students Transferring to Permanent Residence by Country of Citizenship, 2005-06 Source: DIMIA unpublished data: Australia: Overseas Students Transferring to Permanent Residence by Country of Citizenship, 2005-06 Source: DIMIA unpublished data
In addition many settler arrivals have an Australian qualification. 2003-04 - 55 percent of skilled immigrant settlers had an Australian qualification. Asians - 88.9 percent: In addition many settler arrivals have an Australian qualification. 2003-04 - 55 percent of skilled immigrant settlers had an Australian qualification. Asians - 88.9 percent
Australia: Number of Skilled Stream Outcome Principles with Points for Australian Qualification by Citizenship, 2004-05 Source: Unpublished data supplied by DIMIA : Australia: Number of Skilled Stream Outcome Principles with Points for Australian Qualification by Citizenship, 2004-05 Source: Unpublished data supplied by DIMIA
Increased Complexity in Asian Skilled Migration: Increased Complexity in Asian Skilled Migration Intra Asian Migration
Return Migration
North-South Migration
Third Country Movements
Number of Resident Foreigners in Korea by Country of Origin, 31 May 2007 Source: Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice: Number of Resident Foreigners in Korea by Country of Origin, 31 May 2007 Source: Korea Immigration Service, Ministry of Justice 2007:1 Million (2 percent)
2021: 4 Million
Australia: Asian Country of Origin – Overseas and Australia-Born Permanent Arrivals and Departures, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures : Australia: Asian Country of Origin – Overseas and Australia-Born Permanent Arrivals and Departures, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures
Australia: Asia-Born Permanent Arrivals and Departures by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures: Australia: Asia-Born Permanent Arrivals and Departures by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2005-06 Source: DIAC Overseas Arrivals and Departures
Australia: Asia-Born According to Their Length of Residence in Australia, 2006 Source: ABS 2006 Census: Australia: Asia-Born According to Their Length of Residence in Australia, 2006 Source: ABS 2006 Census
Australia-Born Departures to Asia: Australia-Born Departures to Asia 54,264 in 1994-2006
38.6% of departures
Equivalent to 13% of Asia-born arrivals
Australia-born children of immigrants
Increasingly skilled migrants
Main Destinations: Main Destinations Singapore - 13,547
Hong Kong SAR - 12,997
China - 5,130
Japan - 4,525
Indonesia - 4,447
Thailand - 3,341
Vietnam - 1,554
Australia-Born Permanent Departures to Asia by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2005-06 : Australia-Born Permanent Departures to Asia by Occupation, 1997-98 to 2005-06
Third Country Migration: Third Country Migration ‘Brain Bypass’ (Biao, 2004, 164) ‘the movement of skilled migration from the South to countries like Canada and Australia where, using experience acquired in those countries or leverage, they then move on to other countries, particularly the USA’.
Permanent Migration from Australia to China and of the China-Born, 2000-06 Source: DIMIA 2004 and DIMA 2006 : Permanent Migration from Australia to China and of the China-Born, 2000-06 Source: DIMIA 2004 and DIMA 2006
Permanent Migration from Australia to India and of the India-Born, 2000-06 Source: DIAC : Permanent Migration from Australia to India and of the India-Born, 2000-06 Source: DIAC
Australia: India- and China-Born Permanent Departures by Destination, 1994-2006 Source: DIAC unpublished data : Australia: India- and China-Born Permanent Departures by Destination, 1994-2006 Source: DIAC unpublished data
Australia: Stock of Chinese Students Present 1999-2006 (as at 31 March) Source: DIMA Immigration Update, various issues : Australia: Stock of Chinese Students Present 1999-2006 (as at 31 March) Source: DIMA Immigration Update, various issues
Long Term Movement to and From China and India, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIMA unpublished data : Long Term Movement to and From China and India, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIMA unpublished data China India
Short Term Movement to and From China and India, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIMA unpublished data : Short Term Movement to and From China and India, 1994-95 to 2005-06 Source: DIMA unpublished data
Australia: Percent Settler Arrivals from China – Number of Subsequent Moves by Year of Arrival, 1999-2006 Source: DIAC unpublished data: Australia: Percent Settler Arrivals from China – Number of Subsequent Moves by Year of Arrival, 1999-2006 Source: DIAC unpublished data
Implications of Increased Movement Between China and Australia: Implications of Increased Movement Between China and Australia Enhancement of China-Australia Economic and Social Linkages
Brain Drain and Brain Circulation
Strengthening of Networks
Australia: Correlation Co-efficient Between Size of Immigrant Communities*, 1991 and International Trade, 2005 Source: DIMIA unpublished data: Australia: Correlation Co-efficient Between Size of Immigrant Communities*, 1991 and International Trade, 2005 Source: DIMIA unpublished data
Australia: Correlation Co-efficient Between Short Term Travel in and Out of Australia and the Size of Immigrant Communities, 2001 Source: ABS : Australia: Correlation Co-efficient Between Short Term Travel in and Out of Australia and the Size of Immigrant Communities, 2001 Source: ABS
Chinese Policy on Skilled Migration: Chinese Policy on Skilled Migration Encouraging movement to study in foreign countries
Return migration policy
Hai Gui - sea turtules
Increased return flow
Intentions to Return to China Among Chinese Settlers: Intentions to Return to China Among Chinese Settlers Little known
Triangular movement
Study of 239 Chinese University Academics in Australia
What are your long term plans to stay in Australia?: What are your long term plans to stay in Australia?
Australian Chinese Academic Study: Linkages with Mainland China Source: Survey (N=239) : Australian Chinese Academic Study: Linkages with Mainland China Source: Survey (N=239)
Virtual Return Source: Wescott 2005: Virtual Return Source: Wescott 2005
The Dumbbell Model Source: After Wescott 2005: The Dumbbell Model Source: After Wescott 2005
Conclusion: Conclusion Continuing investigation on flows of individual migrants
Complexity of flows between countries
Need for understanding of ‘virtual’ as well as ‘temporary’ return migration
Implications of bilocality, binationality not clear
Need to understand strategies of individual migrants
More development sensitivity in Australian immigration system?
Increasing barriers to settlement