AUSTRALIA – SELECTIVE RECRUITING COUNTRY

AUSTRALIA – SELECTIVE RECRUITING COUNTRY

1. FACTS

   • Australia is the sixth largest country in the world with a population of 21.5 million which is one of the lowest population densities of any country.
   • Australia is in stage 4 of the DTM with an exceptionally high standard of living – however it does not fit the increasingly common pattern of most MEDCs and high-income countries
   • Fertility rate is 1.7 which is way below the replacement level

2. FOR

   • Increase dependency ratio due to ageing population.
   • Birth and fertility rates are not high enough to offset the ageing population.
   • Emancipation of women means women are marrying and having children later.
   • Paid parental leave of $5000 per baby in 2009 which encourages parents to have more children and reverse low fertility rates.
   • Every year 60,000 well qualified Australians emigrate and need to be replaced.

3. AGAINST

   • Fragile environment and can only produce enough food and resources for a limited number of people.
   • Australia’s population growth is linked to major environmental problems.
   • Rural areas suffering from decline as a result of droughts occurring between 2002 and 2008 – animal farming severely hit.
   • Soil erosion taking place where dry areas have been over-grazed, this exposes top soil.
   • Droughts – rainfall is unreliable with high evaporation rates of 94% of inland rainfall evaporating. Water is pumped from aquifers, which cannot be replaced – therefore the sources are drying up.

4. Two phases of Australia’s immigration:

   • 1970s assisted passages encouraged young families to migrate to Australia. British citizens immigrated to Australia for just £10 a family.
   • 1970s skills-based migration has been used, immigrants must pass points-based tests on employment, educational qualifications, age and ability to speak English.

5. Snowy Mountains Scheme

   • Constructed damns and reservoirs in mountains of the wetter parts of Victoria and New South Wales. Supplies irrigation for 60% of Australia’s food along with hydroelectricity.