ABSTRACT
The Australian model of permanent immigration, based on easy access to citizenship plus multiculturalism, is under challenge. Changes in global and regional migration patterns question some of the key assumptions held by many Australians. The meaning of multiculturalism has changed, especially since the 1989 National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia, which defined multiculturalism as a system of citizenship rights and obligations. Outward migration from Asia is especially important for Australia, since the region has become its main source of skilled migrants. Since the 1940s, Australia's model of immigration has been based on the principles of strict control of entries, predominance of permanent settlement migration and the expectation that immigrants would quickly become Australian citizens. The opening of Australia's economy to global flows of trade and capital together with new means of transport and communication make border control much more complex, reducing the significance of geographical isolation. The Australian model of immigration and multiculturalism has been highly successful.
