Oz state of Victoria, the preferred destination for Indian migrants

Melbourne, May 31 : New figures show that the Australian state of Victoria has emerged as the preferred destination for Indian migrants.

Over 2300 Indian-born people came here in the last six months of 2007 -- the most arrivals of any state, reports news.com.au.

Australia's total migrant intake for the period, including visas processed onshore, was 98,233, up 8.8 per cent on the same period the previous year.

About 16 per cent of migrants were born in the UK, 12 per cent in New Zealand, 10.4 per cent in India and 9.8 per cent in China, according to the Federal Government report Immigration Update July to December 2007.

Victoria attracted 24,297 migrants or about a quarter of the national total.

After Indians, the next biggest group was the China-born (2116 arrivals), then NZ-born (2092) and UK-born (1714).

The Rudd Government recently revealed that the annual migrant intake would be increased by 37,500 places in 2008-09, bringing the total to 190,300.

ANI