Migrant arrivals outstrip births

The push to attract skilled workers to Australia and the increase in foreign students has raised migration into the country to a record high.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures reveal that net overseas migration to Australia boosted the population by almost 200,000 in the year to March, outstripping births in contributing to population growth.

The population of Australia reached 21.3 million at the end of March, and 59% of that growth was due to net overseas migration - that is, the difference between overseas arrivals and departures.

Peter McDonald, head of demographics at the Australian National University (ANU), said much of the rise was due to long-term temporary migration, mainly comprising foreign students, temporary skilled workers on 457 visas, and people on working holidays.

Monash University demographer, Bob Birrell, said migration was contributing more to population growth than births, and the trend was yet to peak.

A spokesman for Immigration and Citizenship Minister, Chris Evans, said the figures reflected the migration program levels set by the previous government.

He said this also reflected the strong growth in the number of foreign students and temporary skilled migrant workers coming to Australia. In 2007-08, more than 278,000 student visas and 110,570 457 visas were granted. Acting state Treasurer, Tim Holding, said Victoria had recorded its highest population growth in 37 years.

This year's budget included $AU4.4 billion in new infrastructure investment, including for hospitals, schools and roads.