Republic of Korea (South) - COUNTRY PROFILE

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Republic of Korea (South) - COUNTRY PROFILE
COUNTRY PROFILE

Republic of Korea (South)
   1. Overview
   2. Community in Australia                                  REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH)
   3. Permanent migration                                     Capital city: Seoul
   4. Temporary entry                                         Population 2013: 48.6 million
   5. Permanent departures                                    Main languages: Korean
   6. State and territory summary                             Monetary unit: Korean Won
   Explanatory notes
   Further reading
   Statistical tables

   1. Overview

   With a land area less than half that of Victoria and a population of almost 50 million, South Korea has one of
   the world's highest population densities. This factor has contributed to an international Korean diaspora of
   around seven million people, with most settling in the United States of America, China or Japan. More
   recently, however, significant numbers of Korean nationals have chosen to live in Australia. The main route
   for these migrants is the Skill Stream, which accounted for 75 per cent of permanent visas granted to
   South Korean nationals in 2012–13.

   South Korea has a relatively high gross domestic product per capita, which on a purchasing power parity
   basis is three-quarters of Australia’s. While this makes South Korea wealthy by Asian standards, the state
   of its economy could also be a significant motivator for migration. South Korea is highly dependent on
   manufacturing exports, which can be volatile in times of economic uncertainty. Another factor is a high level
   of domestic competition for skilled work due to its highly educated workforce.

   A summary measure of wellbeing is the Human Development Index (HDI), produced by the United Nations.
   The HDI is a composite measure of three dimensions of human development—health, education and
   income. Australia ranks very high on this measure, with a 2012 score of 0.94, second only to Norway.
                                                                                                    Table 1
   In 2012, South Korea’s HDI was 0.90, giving the country an international ranking of 12 out of 186 countries.
   The HDI of East Asia and the Pacific in 2012 was 0.68, placing South Korea well above the regional
   average. South Korea also ranked slightly above the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
   Development average of 0.89 in 2012.
2. Community in Australia

At the end of June 2011, 97 600 South Korean-born people were living in Australia, 62 per cent more than
at 30 June 2006. This is equivalent to 1.6 per cent of Australia’s overseas born population and 0.4 per cent
of Australia’s total population.

For Australia’s Korean-born migrants:

    -   The median age of 30.0 years was seven years below that of the general population.
    -   Females slightly outnumbered males—52 per cent compared with 48 per cent.
    -   In August 2013, 42 000 Korea-born people were working in Australia. Their main
        occupations were labourers (20 per cent) and technicians and trades workers
        (19 per cent).
    -   The unemployment rate at August 2013 was 6.4 per cent—this well above the national
        rate of 5.8 per cent.
    -   Their labour force participation rate at August 2013 was low at 61 per cent compared
        to the national average of 65 per cent.

3. Permanent migration

Permanent additions to the Australian population

Permanent additions are the sum of those granted a permanent residency visa while in Australia, and those
granted a visa through an Australian mission abroad, who have entered Australia during the respective
reporting period. In 2012–13, there were 5497 South Korean-born permanent additions to the Australian
resident population. Among these new additions the:

    -   Skill Stream comprised 1959 skilled migrants and 1793 accompanying family members
        and accounted for 68 per cent of all permanent additions.
    -   Family Stream comprised 1316 migrants and accounted for 24 per cent of all
        permanent additions.
    -   Non-programme migration of South Korean-born New Zealand citizens and Special
        Eligibility entrants accounted for 7.4 per cent of permanent additions.
Permanent migration visas granted
                                                                                                   Table 2 & 4
Permanent migration refers to the number of visas granted in any given year, without taking into account
whether the visa recipient actually arrived and settled in Australia. A total of 5258 South Korean nationals
were granted a permanent visa through the Migration Programme in 2012–13, with the Skill Stream
accounting for 75 per cent of the visas granted.

Skilled migration

Skilled migration focuses on facilitating the permanent entry of those who can make a positive contribution
to Australia through their skills, qualifications, entrepreneurial spirit and employment potential. In 2012–13:

    -   128 973 skilled visas were granted, with grants to South Korean nationals accounting
        for 3.0 per cent (3933 grants) of the total. This made South Korea the ninth largest
        provider of Skill stream migrants to Australia in 2012–13.
    -   Skilled migration remained the main route for South Korean nationals seeking
        permanent residency in Australia with the Skill Stream accounting for 75 per cent of all
        permanent visas granted to South Korean nationals.
    -   The number of South Korean nationals coming through the Skill Stream grew by
        7.2 per cent, larger than the 2.6 per cent growth in the total number of permanent Skill
        Stream entrants.
    -   The number of South Korean nationals entering on Points Tested Skilled Migration
        visas rose by 14 per cent. Most of this rise can be attributed to a 30 per cent increase
        in Skilled Independent visas in 2012–13. Cooks, registered nurses and hairdressers
        were the main occupations among these skilled migrants.
    -   There continued to be substantial growth (215 grants) in the number of Employer
        Sponsored visas granted to Korean nationals – 12 per cent up on 2011–12. Employer
        Sponsorship represented 53 per cent of Korean skilled visas in 2012–13, well up on its
        35 per cent share in 2009–10.

Family migration

Family migration facilitates the entry of close family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents
and eligible New Zealand citizens. The programme is currently dominated by Partners and dependent
children, but also provides options for other family members, such as Carers, Parents and Aged Dependent
Relatives.

    -   In 2012–13, 60 185 Family visas were granted, with grants to South Korean nationals
        accounting for 2.1 per cent (1263 grants) of the total. Among the South Korean cohort,
        the largest proportions were granted to the partners of Australian residents, making up
        81 per cent of the family visas granted.
    -   In 2012–13, 24 per cent of permanent visas granted to South Korean nationals were
        through the Family Stream.
4. Temporary entry
Temporary entry visas granted
                                                                                               Table 3 & 4
In 2012–13, 213 684 temporary entry visas granted to South Korean nationals, with visitors accounting for
76 per cent of the visas granted.

International students

The Student visa programme consists of a range of visa categories that broadly correspond to education
sectors. Students must study with an education provider and in a course registered on the Commonwealth
Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

In 2012–13, 259 278 visas were granted to international students. This was a 2.5 per cent increase on the
previous year, but still 18.9 per cent below the record 319 632 visas granted in 2008–09. The decreases in
Student visa numbers in 2009–10 and 2010–11 followed 11 consecutive years of growth in the visa
programme and coincided with a number of factors. These factors included: on-going global financial
uncertainty; college closures; the rising value of the Australian dollar; changes to improve the integrity of the
programme; and reforms to the Skilled Migration programme. A consequence of this low level is that the
stock of international students continued to fall. At 30 June 2013 there were 304 230 international students
in Australia, 21 per cent lower than 30 June 2010.

    -   As at 30 June 2013, 16 090 South Korean Student visa holders were in Australia, a
        4.6 per cent fall on the previous year. South Korean students represent 5.3 per cent of
        all international students in Australia, making South Korea the fourth largest source of
        international students to Australia, behind China, India and Vietnam.
    -   After the United States of America, Japan and Canada, Australia is the fourth most
        popular tertiary study destination for international students originating from
        South Korea. In 2011, 5.7 per cent of all South Korean international tertiary students
        chose Australia.
    -   In 2012–13, 12 942 Student visas were granted to South Koreans, representing a
        4.3 per cent rise (535 persons) on the previous year. This is above the 2.5 per cent
        increase in total student visas over the same period.
    -   Grants to students enrolling in a higher education course accounted for 28 per cent of
        grants, while a further 43 per cent of visas were granted to those intending on pursuing
        a Vocational Education and Training course.
Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) workers

The subclass 457 visa programme allows Australian employers to sponsor foreign workers for employment
in management, professional, technical and skilled trades’ positions. The programme is demand-driven and
highly responsive to Australian labour market conditions. In 2012–13 demand for this visa remained high
with grants increasing from 125 070 in 2011–12 to 126 350 – an 86 per cent rise since 2009–10.

    -   Grants to South Korean nationals grew by 56 per cent—from 1810 grants in 2011–12
        to 2820 grants in 2012–13.
    -   The main occupations of Korean workers sponsored under this programme were:
        cooks, contract, programme and project administrators and café and restaurant
        managers.

Visitors

In 2012–13, 162 702 Visitor visas were granted to South Korean citizens, making South Korea the seventh
largest source of visitors to Australia in this period. The vast majority of temporary entrants from
South Korea were visitors here for a holiday or short business visit.

Working Holiday Maker Programme

Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday visa arrangements with many countries, including South Korea.
Working Holiday visa holders who have completed specified work in an eligible regional Australian area for
a minimum of three months while on their first Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa may be eligible for a
second Working Holiday visa.

    -   Working Holiday visa arrangements with South Korea started on 1 July 1995, and in
        2012–13 represented Australia’s second largest source of initial working holiday
        makers after the United Kingdom with 29 614 new visas granted – a rise of
        8.1 per cent since 2011−12. Additionally, 5606 second Working Holiday visas were
        granted to Korean nationals in 2012–13.
    -   While South Korea is a major provider of working holiday makers to Australia, the
        number of South Korean nationals coming through this programme fluctuated in recent
        years, falling 12 per cent between 2009−10 and 2010−11 before rising by 15 per cent
        over the next two financial years.
5. Permanent departures
                                                                                                 Table 5
In 2012–13, 898 South Korea-born permanent residents indicated at departure that they were leaving
Australia permanently, with 69 per cent indicating they intended to return to South Korea. Of these
emigrants:

    -   approximately 17 per cent were professionals and another 15 per cent mangers.
    -   64 per cent were emigrating from New South Wales.

6. State and territory summary
                                                                                               Table 5
New South Wales was the most popular state of residence for Koreans in Australia. At the time of the 2011
Census 56 per cent of South Korea-born migrants lived in New South Wales, well ahead of Queensland
and Victoria with 17 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

New South Wales was also a popular destination for new migrants, accounting for 40 per cent of skilled
migrants and 49 per cent of family migrants in 2012–13. South Korean students also showed a preference
for New South Wales, with 43 per cent enrolled in an academic institution based in that state, while
47 per cent of subclass 457 visa workers were sponsored for employment in New South Wales.
Explanatory notes
       I.   Unemployment rates for individual migrant countries are calculated from the
            monthly Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force survey (using published and
            unpublished data) and have been averaged across twelve months to account for
            monthly fluctuations and a small sample size. The national unemployment rate is
            the seasonally adjusted figure for August 2013.
      II.   Australian residents are Australian citizens who reside in Australia and other
            permanent residents.
     III.   Points Tested Skilled Migration is the sum of total Skilled Regional, Skilled
            Independent and State/Territory Nominated visas.
     IV.    Emigration is the number of persons who reported on their overseas departure
            card that they were leaving Australia permanently.

Further reading
This country profile was prepared using information and statistics collated by the Department of Immigration
and Border Protection, and commentary extracted from the following publications:

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
See: Country, economy and regional information

Department of Immigration and Border Protection
See: Community Information Summaries

International Monetary Fund
See: Country Information

Central Intelligence Agency
See: World Fact Book

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
See: Education at a Glance 2013: OECD Indicators

United Nations Development Programme
See: Human Development Report 2013

World Bank
See: The Migration and Remittances Fact book 2011
Statistical tables – South Korea

Table 1: Economic and Human Development Indicators, 2013

Indicator                                                                                          Australia      South Korea
Adult literacy (%)                                                                                       99.0                97.9
Fertility rates (children per female)                                                                     1.9                 1.4
GDP per capita PPP (current international $)                                                          44 074              33 580
Life expectancy at birth (years)                                                                          82                80.7
Mean years of schooling                                                                                 12.0                11.6
Human Development Index                                                                                0.938               0.909
Median age (years)                                                                                      36.9                37.9
Population (millions)                                                                                    22.9                48.6
Population growth (%)                                                                                     1.8                 0.5
Source: Most data in this table comes from the UNDP Human Development Report 2013, the CIA World Fact book and, the
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database April 2013. Data on the size, growth and median age of Australia’s
population was sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Table 2: Number of persons (South Korean nationals) granted a permanent Australian visa, 2009−10
to 2012−13

Permanent visa                                                         2009–10           2010–11   2011–12       2012–13
Skilled migration
  Business Innovation and Investment                                         458             641        310           159
  Distinguished Talent                                                        13               2         19            11
  Employer Sponsored                                                       1 102           1 309      1 858         2 073
Points Tested Skilled Migration
  Skilled Regional                                                             51           211         223            204
  Skilled Independent                                                        991            688         986         1 280
  State/Territory Nominated                                                  535             431        274           206
Total: Skilled visa grants                                                 3 150           3 282      3 670         3 933
Skilled visas as a proportion of all permanent visas (%)                    72.4            75.9       75.3          74.8
Family migration
  Child                                                                        84             74          80            58
  Partner                                                                    880            792         845         1 025
  Parent                                                                     192             118        135           158
  Other Family                                                                21              32         48            22
Total: Family visa grants                                                  1 177           1 016      1 108         1 263
Family visas as a proportion of all permanent visas (%)                     27.1            23.5        22.7          24.0
Special Eligibility                                                           23              28         96            62
Total: Permanent migrants                                                  4 350           4 326      4 874         5 258
Source: Internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Table 3: Number of persons (South Korean nationals) granted a temporary Australian visa, 2009−10
to 2012−13

Temporary visa                                                                 2009–10     2010–11   2011–12   2012–13
International Students
  English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students                          3 957     2 707     2 159     2 666
  Schools                                                                          1 409       954       749       657
  Vocational Education and Training                                                5 246     4 357     4 588     5 595
  Higher Education                                                                 5 343     4 858     4 473     3 641
  Postgraduate Research                                                              152      101       118         97
  Non-Award                                                                          307      261       320       284
  AusAID/Defence                                                                       2        0         0         2
Total: International Student visa grants                                         16 416     13 238    12 407    12 942
Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457)                                              800     1 120     1 810     2 820
Visitors
  Tourist                                                                       156 465    165 106   156 636   148 018
  Business visitor                                                                7 978     12 342    12 009    14 669
  Medical Treatment                                                                  26         16        18        15
Total: Visitor visa grants                                                      164 469    177 464   168 663   162 702
Working Holiday Maker Programme
   Initial                                                                       28 280     25 433    27 397    29 614
   Extension                                                                      6 583      5 094     5 194     5 606
Total: Working Holiday visa grants                                               34 863     30 527    32 591    35 220
Source: Internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Table 4: Main occupations among those South Korean nationals granted a permanent −
unsponsored (Points Tested) or temporary work − sponsored (subclass 457) visa, 2011−12 to
2012−13

                Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457)                           Points Tested Skilled Migration
             Cooks                                                     140    Cooks                                              360
             Contract, programme and project administrators            130    Registered nurses                                  110
             Cafe and restaurant managers                                90   Hairdressers                                       100
             Advertising and marketing professionals                     90   Accountants                                          90
2012–13      Structural steel and welding trades workers                 60   Bakers and pastrycooks                               60
             Chefs                                                       50   Software and applications programmers                40
             Call or contact centre and customer service
                                                                         50   Pharmacists                                          20
             managers
                                                                              Welfare, recreation and community arts
             Retail managers                                             40                                                        10
                                                                              workers
             Advertising, public relations and sales managers            40   Civil engineering professionals                      10
             Civil engineering professionals                             40   Dental practitioners                                 10
             Cooks                                                     100    Cooks                                              220
             Advertising and marketing professionals                     80   Accountants                                        100
             Structural steel and welding trades workers                 60   Bakers and pastrycooks                               80
             Contract, programme and project administrators              50   Hairdressers                                         70
2011–12      Wall and floor tilers                                       40   Registered nurses                                    70
             Dental hygienists, technicians and therapists               30   Software and applications programmers                60
             Chefs                                                       30   Motor mechanics                                      20
             Registered nurses                                           30   ICT business and systems analysts                    20
                                                                              Dental hygienists, technicians and
             Motor mechanics                                             20                                                        10
                                                                              therapists
                                                                              Industrial, mechanical and production
             University lecturers and tutors                             20                                                        10
                                                                              engineers
Source: Internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection

Table 5: National geographical distribution, by South Korean-born and South Korean nationals

National geographic distribution                                      NSW       Vic.     Qld      SA      WA      Tas.     NT       ACT
                                                                                                  Per cent
Proportion of all persons counted in the Census, 2011                    32       25      20        7      10         2      1          2
Proportion of all South Korean-born counted in the
                                                                         56       14      17        5        5        1      0          2
Census, 2011
Geographical distribution, permanent additions, 2012−13
Skill Stream (primary)                                                   40       11      23        6      13         1      1          5
Skill Stream (dependent)                                                 43       13      19        6      13         1      1          4
Family Stream                                                            49       15      19        5        9        1      1          2
Geographical distribution, temporary entrants, 2012−13
International students                                                   43       17      24        5        5        1      0          4
Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa (primary)                   47       16      14        1      19         0      0          2
Permanent departures
All South Korean-born permanent residents                                64        8      18        3        5        1      0          3
Source: Information on migrants has come from internal data collected by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
Information on the geographical distribution of the total population was sourced from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing.
Table 6: South Korea’s migration ranking relative to other countries

Migration ranking                                                                             2011–12                        2012–13
Population in Australia                                                                              14                              12
Points Tested Skilled Migration                                                                      12                              11
Employer Sponsored                                                                                    7                               7
Total Skill Stream                                                                                     9                                 9
Total Family Stream                                                                                    8                                 8
International students                                                                                 3                                 3
Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa                                                         13                                  8
Visitors                                                                                               6                                 7
Source: All information refers to the number of visas granted that year and was sourced from internal data collected by the D epartment
of Immigration and Border Protection, except for population in Australia which is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and
refers to the stock of overseas-born persons in Australia at the time.

                                               Produced by the Economic Analysis Unit
                                            Department of Immigration and Border Protection
                                                  © Commonwealth of Australia, 2013
                                                        ABN: 33 380 054 835
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