Aus migrant arrivals numbers to rise

Australia’s annual migrant intake will top 200,000 within four years, following a new surge in foreign student arrivals.

At the current rate, Australia’s population will hit 36 million by 2050.

Just four months ago, the Federal Government expected net migration to reach 191,000 by mid-2015.

But a new Immigration Department report has revised the figure to 204,000, mainly because of the expected arrival of 9,000 more overseas students than predicted in a report last July.

The Outlook for Net Overseas Migration September 2011 report said that forecasts had changed because of the Government's recent decision to offer foreign students a two-year visa with work rights when they completed university courses.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has repeatedly said the Government has got the balance right on student visas.

Net annual immigration fell to 167,000 last March.

Image: Getty