Recommendation 242

The Australian Government has well managed and targeted immigration programmes that are designed to meet our social and economic needs. The Australian Government's permanent migration programme planning levels are determined on an annual basis and when setting the size and composition of the programme, a wide range of factors are considered including stakeholder views, long-term social, demographic and economic trends as well as the family reunion needs of Australians. The Australian Government is committed to balancing migration against the needs of the labour market and the capacity of the natural and built environments, to ensure the migration settings are sustainable.

Australia is one of 30 countries that offer permanent resettlement places to people in humanitarian need in a managed, planned annual programme. Australia consistently ranks among the top three countries that resettle refugees referred by UNHCR. The Australian Government determines the relative size and composition of the refugee intake under Australia's Humanitarian Programme each year. This takes into account advice from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, UNHCR's advice on global resettlement needs and views of stakeholders provided through an annual consultation process.

The Australian Government's Humanitarian programme increased to 16,250 places in 2017-18 up from 13,750 places in 2016‑17. From 2018-19 onwards, the Humanitarian programme will be maintained at an increased level of 18,750 places, annually. The Australian Government will dedicate a minimum number of places from within programme over the next three years to displaced people from specific protracted refugee situations to support UNHCR.

In September 2015, the Australian Government also committed to resettling an additional 12,000 people displaced by conflicts in Syria and Iraq, with a focus on vulnerable people and persecuted minorities. As of 21 March 2017, all visas were granted towards the 12,000 additional places.