Transformative Immigration Policies of the Howard Government

The significant immigration policy changes implemented by the Howard government in the early 2000s focused on increasing Australia's immigration intake through a new approach that emphasized international students and working holidaymakers. This strategy arose from the need to maintain a skilled labor force without compromising migration standards, as traditional sources of skilled migrants were limited. Over the subsequent two decades, these measures resulted in the arrival of over two million international students and working holidaymakers, many of whom eventually settled permanently in Australia. Today, international students constitute a substantial portion of annual net migration, shaping the demographic landscape and contributing to Australia's multicultural identity.