Employer sponsored migration was up 17 percent, from 13,020 to 15,230 visas issued, and State/Territory sponsored visas were up 94 percent. In fact, more than 68 percent of the total number of visas approved in 2005-06 were issued under the Skill Stream.

AUSTRALIA'S population is growing at its fastest rate in nearly two decades, thanks to rising fertility rates and an immigration boom bigger than that during the aftermath of both world wars.