UK migrants now among Queensland’s biggest source of new arrivals says a report from Queensland’s state treasury and overall, overseas migrants account for 70% of new arrivals.
50,000 immigrants now settle in Queensland each year, compared to 21,200 people who move from interstate.
Skilled workers account for most migrants. There has also been a record 25 per cent increase in overseas students, to 72,500, enrolled in Queensland institutions for the year to the end of June.
New Zealand remains Queensland’s biggest source of overseas immigrants. More than half of all New Zealanders arriving in Australia choose to settle there. Britain is Queensland’s second-biggest source, accounting for one-fifth of settlers, (10,000 a year).Sixty per cent of new arrivals settle around Brisbane.
Skilled workers account for most migrants. There has also been a record 25 per cent increase in overseas students, to 72,500, enrolled in Queensland institutions for the year to the end of June.The Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said the state’s disproportionate share of the growing immigration intake meant the south-east corner of Queensland was in danger of being ”loved to death”, and putting immense strain on the state’s infrastructure.
”No matter what population is set by the Government, South-East Queensland seems set to get a disproportionate share of it,” she said. ”Put simply, South-East Queensland is growing because people want to live here … but they are in danger of loving us to death.”
To learn more about emigrating to Queensland or to other Australian states, why not come along to Down Under Live on the 30th and 31st January 2010.