Australia and Pacific Islander Migration

Abstract

The net migration gains of Pacific Islands-born to Australia increased steeply from 1986, mostly due to migration from Fiji in 1987–1988 after the coups. This is reflected in the differing migration trends and characteristics of the Fiji-born compared to other Islander migrants. Australia also receives secondary migrants from New Zealand, facilitated by the free movement of residents allowed by the Trans-Tasman Agreement. Due to poor job opportunities in the Islands and economic restructuring in the countries of the Pacific rim, Island states seem to have adopted a policy of increased brain drain to ensure remittances flows. This could also be related to changing fertility rates in the Islands in the 1980s.

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