The latest publication of Immigration Update has shown a significant increase of 8.8 per cent in the number of permanent additions to Australia’s population between July and December 2007 compared with the corresponding period for 2006, a Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokesman said today.

‘The 98 233 permanent additions comprise of 69 597 settler arrivals, plus 28 636 onshore grants,’ the spokesman said.

The publication also shows that among the permanent additions, 76 865 were under the Migration Program. This was an increase of 9.6 per cent on the July to December 2006 figures.

‘From those permanent additions under the Migration Program, 50 903 were accounted for in the skill stream, 25 878 in the family stream and 84 under special eligibility,’ the spokesman added. ‘New South Wales was the most popular state once again, with 32 per cent of permanent additions intending to settle there.’

The, Immigration Update publication, which is published biannually, also noted that as at 31 December 2007, there were:

• 222 942 overseas students present in Australia
• 89 577 working holiday makers present in Australia
• 104 791 holders of 457 visas present in Australia.

All of these stock figures had increased from 31 December 2006.

The number of permanent departures had increased by 8.5 per cent over the last 6 months of 2006, with the main destinations for intended residence being New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Hong Kong.

‘The main occupation groups of those departing permanently were professionals, managers and administrators; and intermediate clerical, sales and service,’ the spokesman said.

Long-term temporary arrivals and departures, who are those arriving or leaving for one year or more, increased by 12 and 13 per cent respectively.

The latest Immigration Update and previous editions are available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/index.htm