South Australia 'popular choice' for migrants

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According to new statistics, immigration to South Australia grew significantly last year, increasing from 9,695 people in 2008-09 to 11,377 in 2009-10.

Due to the economic situation many Countries saw a net reduction in levels of immigration in the period 2008-09. Some Australian states and territories are seeing increasing levels of immigration.

"The numbers of settler arrivals are now near the level they were in 2006-07," said a spokesperson for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

The top five immigration source countries whose citizens immigrated permanently to South Australia are New Zealand, China, India, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

With Australia's economy heating up and unemployment rates falling, Australian states and territories are looking abroad to fill labour gaps.

"The Australian Government has undertaken a series of strategic reforms of the skilled migration program, to make it more responsive to Australia's labour market demands," the spokesperson said.

"These reforms are about selecting the best and brightest people from a large pool of potential migrants," the spokesperson added.

In 2009-10, Australia saw 140,610 people immigrate to its shores, a decrease of 11 per cent from the previous year.