New Zealand and United Kingdom are the largest source countries for migrants, but other regions are also significant. The effect of war and other conflicts over time has led to stranded refugees seeking asylum in overseas countries. Australia’s opportunities for work and its high living standards make it a desirable nation for immigration as can be seen throughout the world’s most notable wars. A large influx of non-English speaking Europeans arrived after World War II, many South-East Asians came at the end of the Vietnam War and most recently, conflict in the Middle East has prompted many families to move here.
These various waves of immigration all had their different impacts on Australian culture, community and the respective generations. There has also been large economic as well as population impacts.
Immigration has had an enourmous impact on multiculturalism with Australian-born citizens making up only 48.3% of the population as can be seen in Figure 1 to the right which shows Australia's Population Distribution for 2002.
Immigrants have contributed to Australian society and the economy in many ways. Their labour assisted in post-war economic reconstruction and prosperity. Many now rank among our most successful business leaders, primary producers and entrepreneurs. others have made their mark in research, the professions, the arts, civic affairs and culture. Their children have benefited from the struggles of their parents through social mobility, educational achievement and worldly success.
Post WWII Wave (1945-65)
South East Asian Wave (1970-90)
Middle Eastern Wave (1991-present)
A Personal Account
