2. October saw the publication of the long-
awaited Australia in the Asian Century White
Paper by the Australian government.
Its goal is to define and drive prosperity and
population growth in partnership with
surrounding Asian countries.
Several factors besides
obvious geographical
proximity are driving
Australia’s alignment
with Asia…
Credit: theaustralian.com.au
3. Shifting
Demographics
Recently there’s been an increasingly large shift in migration
with almost 2 million of Australia’s 5 million strong current
migrant population born in Asia.
With a growing middle class which will soon be
the largest in the world, Asia will continue to
require the natural resources found in Australia
like iron ore, coal and liquid natural gas (LNG).
4. Shifting
Demographics
The migration program for 2011-2012 saw seven of the top 10
countries contributing to Australian migration come from Asia
including India, China, the Philippines, Sri
Lanka, Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam.
The largest percentage of new migrants, 23%,
comes from the Indian sub-continent followed
by 18.3% from the northern part of Asia.
5. Large Asian Student
Contingent in Australia
Asia currently provides the majority of international students
to Australia every year.
More than 423,000 Asian students studying
in Australia contribute billions of dollars to
the local economy.
6. Large Asian Student
Contingent in Australia
The Australian government is working to keep as many of
those highly-educated graduates to stay in the country by
improving post-study work rights for students with a bachelor
degree or a PhD.
Students with engineering, geosciences and
maths degrees are in high demand in
Australia.
7. Grants for Australian
Students to Study
in Asia
But the Asian century is not a one-way street. Australia has
announced a $37 million AsiaBound grants program for more
than 10,000 Australian students to study in Asia.
The grants are valued at $2,000 to
$5,000 for short-term exchange
study.
8. Grants for Australian
Students to Study
in Asia
Other grants of $1,000 are being provided for intensive
language training to help students preparing to study in Asia.
The grant program is designed to
help Australian students establish
networks with Asian students which
will hopefully turn into lifelong
professional relationships.
9. More Australians
Enjoying Travel to Asia
A growing number of Australians are finding Asia to be the
ideal place to holiday.
In 2011, 3.5 million Australians travelled to Asia; most of the
trips were to Southeast Asia. By 1995, almost 40% of
Australians travelled to Asian countries.
In 1998, Indonesia eclipsed both the
United Kingdom and the United States
as a tourist destination.
10. And Finally…
Australia in the Asian Century will provide broader and deeper
relationships in the Asian region creating a transformative
period in history.
Closer educational, cultural and personal relationships with
Asia will benefit the entire nation.
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