According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of the end of June 2019, 91,480 people of Pakistani descent were living in Australia, more than three times the number as of June 30, 2009 (27,250). In terms of numbers, Pakistanis make up the 19th largest immigrant community in Australia, accounting for 1.2% of Australia's overseas population and 0.4% of the total population.
The average age of Australian immigrants of Pakistani descent is 31.4 years, which is 6.0 years less than the general population. Males constitute 60.5% of the population and females 39.5%.
Australia's permanent migration program includes economic and family migration and is the main route to permanent residence. This includes Skill Stream, Family Stream and Special Eligibility Visas. The only other way to get permanent residence is on humanitarian grounds.
In terms of population, Pakistan was ranked 23rd in the 2016 census and is now ranked 19th after a threefold increase in population. But almost all categories in the skilled stream have seen a decline in rankings.
Pakistan ranking, 2016–17 to 2019–20 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Home Affairs
In the Employee Sponsored Category, it is now ranked 16th after a three-point decline, but temporary skilled visas have not seen a change in ranking.
The influx of international students has increased to 7,653 from 5,682 in 2016, after which Pakistan's ranking in this category has improved from 15 to 11.
Top five skills getting permanent visas in 2016 were Accountants 240, Software and Applications Programmers 234, Computer Network Professionals 159, Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 158 and Electronics Engineers 113 but in 2019-20 the highest number of visas issued to Pakistanis were Accountants 336, Software and Applications Programmers 82, Other Engineering Professionals 51, Electrical Engineers 48 and Civil Engineering Professionals 40.
The highest number of visas issued to international students were in the field of higher education 5401, up from 4644 in 2016, while the number of postgraduate research visas has decreased to 405 from 359.
Main occupations (Pakistan) 2019–20 Source: Department of Home Affairs
Vocational education and training visas were issued to Pakistani students in a larger number and now their number is 1761 as against 399 in 2016. Defense and foreign affairs student visas have also been issued only 93 as compared to 200 in 2016.
- Listen to Urdu Podcasts on , ,
- Learn or make it your home page.
- SBS Urdu is broadcast every Wednesday and Sunday at 6 PM (AEST).
