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The Australian Bureau of Statistics migration report, published yesterday, also showed the country was becoming increasingly multicultural. Of the estimated 22 million people living in Australia on June 30, 2009, more than a quarter of them or 5.8 million were born overseas.

The report showed net overseas migration represented 65 per cent of the country's population growth in 2008-09.

''Over the past three years, net overseas migration has more than doubled from 146,800 persons in 2005-06 to a preliminary net overseas migration estimate of 298,900 persons in 2008-09, the highest on record for a financial year,'' it said.

''The main driver during this period has been the substantial growth in temporary visa arrivals to Australia's shores.''

Temporary migration has become increasingly important with more international students, business entrants, working holiday makers and other long-term visitors staying in Australia for as many as four years or longer.

Australia's total population growth rate for 2008-09 was 2.1 per cent, with net overseas migration contributing 1.4 per cent to this growth.

The report comes as migration and population policy becomes a key issue in the federal election.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott wants to slash net migration to 170,000 people a year, while Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Government is already reducing numbers in her bid for a ''sustainable Australia''.

The report also shows the number of humanitarian visas, granted largely to refugees, contributed just 3 per cent of all net arrivals, or 9400 people in the year.

Temporary visa holders made up 67 per cent 186,500 people of net migration, well ahead of permanent arrivals, who made up 31 per cent or 86,400.

''In 2007-08, international students made up the largest group of temporary visa holders contributing to net overseas migration, resulting in a net of 108,700 students, or 39 per cent of net overseas migration for the year ...'' the report said.

Source:    The Canberra Times