Surge of skilled and working holiday travellers flock to Australian borders

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

The ABS recently published its data on overseas migration, revealing an unprecedented surge in Australia’s population. A remarkable 518,000 individuals were added in the 2023 fiscal year, marking a 73% increase in arrivals compared to the previous year.

Of all permanent visas, skilled (permanent) visas experienced a substantial annual rise of 6.9%, the most significant among permanent visa categories. Working holiday visas also surged by close to 50%.

The primary contributors to net overseas migration by birth country were India, China, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

FCM Travel noted a substantial uptick in skilled workers and working holiday travelers entering the country. Business travelers from India, China, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom showed an average increase of 98.5% in their travel to Australia in 2023 compared to the prior year.

Rakesh Negi, Head of Business Transformation and Customer Excellence, highlighted the significant growth in business travel throughout 2023. Sectors such as education, mining, health, construction, and government were particularly instrumental in this surge.

Negi emphasized, “Over the past year, we’ve observed substantial growth in inbound business travel bookings, notably from the Philippines, New Zealand, South Africa, and China, doubling compared to 2022.”

“As Australia reopened its borders in February 2022, there has been a substantial return of business travelers to our shores. The surge in corporate travel mirrors the increasing influx of skilled workers arriving in the country, both on permanent and temporary work arrangements.”

“While Sydney and Melbourne remain top destination points, the rise in travel within the mining sector has led to increased visits to key mining destinations like Perth, and even Brisbane.”

Western Australia experienced the most significant population growth among states, reaching 3.1% compared to the 2022 fiscal year. Victoria followed with a 2.7% increase, and Queensland with a 2.6% rise.

Negi concluded, “Australia’s appeal to international business professionals lies not only in its lifestyle but also in its globally connected, stable economy, and reputation for safety and reliability as an international trade partner.”

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