The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show population growth slowed last year to 1.50% down from the 2.2% high of 2008.

Australia’s population fell just shy of 22.5 million by the close of 2010. The year had the slowest overall growth rate since 2006.

Net overseas migration fell by 35% to 171,000 with an increase in residents permanently departing Australia up from 82,703 to 88,196 in 2010. NOM accounted for 53% of population growth.

Western Australia continues to have the fastest population growth rate amongst the States recorded at 2.1% for 2010.

Official figures from Statistics New Zealand show that 3,300 people left New Zealand for a permanent life in Australia in May.

The trend has been exacerbated by the recent earthquake in Christchurch which has resulted in an exodus from the city.

The latest figures mean that New Zealand has lost more people than it has attracted other the last three months.

Australia has increasing attracted New Zealanders as its economy has boomed offering higher wages along with its sunnier climate.

Under the countries bilateral agreement citizens of both countries can live and work in either country.

Thanks to findmypast.com and the UK national archives a new database of passenger lists is now available online. Containing over 24 million records the lists cover ships sailing from UK ports between 1890 until 1960, covering the period of mass migration from the UK to Australia.

The database is a gem of information for anyone trying to trace anyone migrating to Australia during that period.  Between 1947 and 1960 alone an estimated 710,000 Britons travelled down under.

The records include many famous names including Olivia Newton-John who migrated from the UK during the 1950s with her family.

The records can be searched in a number of ways as they contain departure and destination port as well as names, dates and ages, ships name and a wealth of other information.

If you want to check it out for yourselves go to ancestorsonboard – you’ll have to buy credits or a subscription to search.

Australian employers are looking abroad to fill gaps in the labour market

The new National Salaries Survey by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) has shown that half of the 506 companies surveyed are willing to look overseas in order to overcome the current skills shortage.

It said that the low unemployment rate over the past year is partly to blame for a lack of skilled workers. This is reflected in fact that 52.6 percent of the companies surveyed have noticed an increase in the number of permanent staff compared to 40.5 percent in 2010.

In order to keep staff, 92.2 percent of companies gave pay rises by an average of four percent in 2010/2011 showing that the labour market is tight and employers are having to do a lot to keep hold of good employees.

While this may be a problem for some Australian companies it is an opportunity for those looking to make the move down under. There has never been a better time to apply for an Australian visa whether it is through the general skilled migration program or through state sponsorship.

There is particular demand for engineers, nurses, doctors and teachers so if you are one of these professions or any other on the Australian Skilled Occupations in Demand List then take a look and take the first step toward a new life in the sun.

Diac has published its updated Skilled Occupation list (SOL) for 2011. The list which comes into effect from July 31st features 13 new occupations while 4 have been removed.

The updated list applies to all new independent or unsponsored skilled migration applications that are lodged on or after July 31^st 2011 unless they are from applicants eligible for transitional arrangements.

Gillard's carbon tax will not cost the minig industry thousands of jobs

A new study has found that the carbon tax will have little to no impact on jobs in Australia’s mining sector.

Australia Institute, a think tank on public policy investigated the claim by the Minerals Council of Australia that the proposed emissions trading scheme would cost the sector 23,510 jobs.

The study found that based on labour force data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Household and Income Labour Dynamics of Australia surveys ranging from 2001 to 2008 the effect of a carbon tax would be negligible.

“The projected job losses from the ETS, particularly when considered over a 10-year time horizon, are in a statistical sense close to invisible with respect to employment and unemployment stocks, and trivial with respect to aggregate flows in the labour market,” the study found.

The study also highlighted the factor that employee turnover has, between 26 and 36 percent of workers within the mining sector join or leave every year. The study found that some sectors will be hit harder than others and said there are “clear roles for government to minimise the personal costs for those so affected”.

The Federal Government plans on releasing the details of the Emissions Trading Scheme in the next few weeks and legislation will be presented to parliament in September with the aim of a price on carbon coming into effect on July 1^st 2012.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen has released a new report, The Outlook for Net Overseas Migration: May 2011 as a move toward a new annual report on Australia’s future immigration.

‘The new annual report will provide short-term forecasts of Australia’s future immigration levels for the first time to inform planning and investment decisions,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘It will complement the Sustainable Population Strategy and provide more information to assist whole-of-government and community planning to better manage population change.’

In real terms this means a forecast of net overseas migration so that a planning framework can be implemented to look beyond short term migration figures and examine long term trends in order to better plan and prepare for expected needs.

The first comprehensive annual report will be released next year while The Outlook for Net Migration will be released quarterly.  

‘The latest forecasts show NOM will continue to decline to about 160 000 people by June 2011,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘Beyond June 2011, NOM should stabilise at around 170 000 to 180 000 people per year.

‘The government’s recent reforms have contributed to a decline in NOM levels by almost half from its peak of over 315 000 people for the year ending December 2008.’

Despite the decline in NOM, Australia is still expecting to see a rise in the number of skilled migrants as a percentage of NOM.

This is a unique opportunity to own an award winning boutique florist in Sydney’s Lower North Shore for just $180,000 (£117,000) that has impressive annual sales of $600,000 (£390,000).

The business which has been established for 7 years specialises in weddings, with a number of forthcoming weddings already confirmed and deposits taken.

The company also has a large portfolio of high profile commercial clients which earn the shop $1600 to $1800 per week. The shop itself makes sales of £5000 to $8000 per week so as a new owner you will be guaranteed impressive income from the start.

While the current owner has grown the business to become highly regarded in the local area there is an opportunity for someone to inject some fresh enthusiasm and grow the business nationally.

A potential buyer should be aware that the shop’s lease ends next year and the lease on the warehouse being used ends later this year so on top of the price for the business new leases will need to be negotiated and this should be factored into any offers made, however considering the stated income it may be a small price to pay for an extremely lucrative business.

Just for clarification, people wishing to migrate to Australia as business owners must have proven success as business owners to be eligible to apply, and DIAC has specific requirements regarding turnover, assets and other aspects of business ownership that must also be met to be eligible.

Unless you have a suitable background, you cannot emigrate to Australia merely by buying a business, or a home for that matter.

Accordingly, prospective visa applicants should be very wary of business brokers and real estate agents who exploit potential immigrants by advising them that owning a business or property in Australia will guarantee a grant of visa.