Australian Immigration Predicts the Economic Benefits of Foreign Migrants
August 22 2008 by Tamar Blieden
"Migrants are very good for the economy," so says Australian immigration minister Chris Evans who has increased the number of immigrants taken in by record levels. And according to research released by Evans today, these immigrants will deliver major benefits to the Australian economy.
The numbers of immigrants coming into Australia is the highest since the 1960s, reports www.globalvisas.com. In order to maintain support for such an increase from critical citizens, the government has released modelling by Access Economics that shows what economic contributions the country can expect from the work done by immigrants filling labour shortages.
This "dispels the myth that new migrants impose a huge impost on the taxpayer," says Evans who showed that with more than 171 000 in immigrants taken in for 2007/08, the economic benefit could climb to AUS$610 million in the first year, followed by AUS$965 million in the second and as much as AUS$1.5 billion within 20 years of living in Australia.
The 2008/09 scheme aims to increase this intake to as much as 203 000; therefore the future financial benefits rise to AUS$829 million in the first year and as much as AUS$1.8 billion by 20 years time.
Skilled migrants are considered to be the most beneficial immigrants, consequently making up 133 500 of the total immigrants this year. This is due to their vast contribution because of higher incomes and therefore considerable tax receipts, a high level of participation in the labour marker, a good command of English and their exclusion from many government services.
Refugees and humanitarian visa applicants total 13 500 entrants while 56 500 are family related applicants.
This Access Economics modelling comes as the government increase the number of migrants accepted into the country on a temporary basis under the Pacific temporary worker scheme. Australia will take up to 2500 more workers in the horticulture or agricultural sector under this visa program.
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