Net migration recovery continues, but student arrivals still below pre-pandemic levels in August

Is Australian migration finally recovering?

Well, the overseas arrivals and departures data for August show a continued return of net migration, though student arrivals in July and August remain well below pre-pandemic.

In fact, preliminary data for September shows ongoing recovery in total arrivals and departures alongside continued normalisation of travel patterns.

But cross-border movements remained well below pre-pandemic levels.

Total arrivals were 39% below September 2019, while total departures were 42% below.

Permanent and long-term arrivals show continued normalisation

Net permanent and long-term arrivals show continued normalisation in net migration even as outbound departures remain little above pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Taylor Nugent, Markets Economist at NAB commented:

"Net permanent and long-term arrivals, which gives a more timely signal of net migration, was 20k in August, above its pre-pandemic norm for the month (August 2019 net long-term and permanent arrivals were 18k, 2018 was 12k).

• Also read:Auction clearance results May 4th – Stable Auction Results to Begin May
• Also read:The latest Corelogic Rental Market Report
• Also read:Housing values rise 0.6% in April, as low supply trumps high interest rates and inflation | Corelogic Home Value Index
• Also read:April Home Prices Still Rising but Growth Rates Lower | Latest Housing Market Stats
• Also read:Want to know where interest rates are heading? You may not like the news | Property Insiders [Video]

Permanent and long-term departures remained elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels in August, but higher arrivals helped support net long-term arrivals."

Student arrivals have picked up

Student arrivals have picked up sharply after running near zero for the border closure period.

Mr Nugent said:

"Despite the pick-up, student arrivals remained well below their pre-pandemic levels in August.

Forty-one thousand students arrived in August, which is 26% below pre-COVID August 2019 levels.

Arrivals relative to prepandemic were stronger in August than in July, likely reflecting some catch-up after delays to visa processing."

About Robert Chandra Robert Chandra is a Property Strategist at Metropole and has an intrinsic understanding of property markets backed by many years of real estate experience. This coupled with several degrees gives him a holistic perspective with which he can diagnose clients’ circumstances and goals and formulate strategies to bridge the gap.