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Sri Lanka → Australia

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Sri Lanka
To
Australia
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
6,055
Change since 2018
+123.5%
Share of all arrivals in Australia, 2023
2.76%
Inflow 20236,055OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Sri Lanka to Australia

Inflows of nationals of Sri Lanka recorded by Australia; stock of nationals of Sri Lanka living there; and acquisitions of Australia's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

3,0286,055200020032006200920122015201820212023
3,0286,0552000200420082012201620202023
Data table
20001,494
20011,759
20022,399
20032,274
20042,083
20052,978
20063,296
20073,752
20084,795
20094,808
20105,245
20114,529
20125,722
20135,343
20144,525
20153,857
20163,819
20173,191
20182,709
20192,726
20202,381
20213,191
20224,786
20236,055
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
20236,055—4,611
20224,786—3,209
20213,191—2,888
20202,381—6,195
20192,726—4,861
20182,709—3,262
20173,191—4,487
20163,819—3,752
20153,857—3,179
20144,525—3,957
20135,343—2,746
20125,722—1,671
20114,529—2,520
20105,245—3,412
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Sri Lanka who live in Australia: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

78k157k19901995200020052010201520202024
78k157k19902000201020202024
Data table
199042,523
199551,943
200058,427
200570,602
201096,257
2015119,760
2020140,771
2024156,876
Estimate, 2024
156,876
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.9%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
10
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Australian skilled visas

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Sri Lanka, by financial year ending 30 June and stream (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1,1952,3892005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1,1952,3892005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–06178
2006–07348
2007–08431
2008–09384
2009–10207
2010–11244
2011–12368
2012–13425
2013–14370
2014–15343
2015–16329
2016–17342
2017–18340
2018–19394
2019–20369
2020–21337
2021–22710
2022–231,839
2023–241,807
2024–252,087
2025–262,389
Financial yearAll streamsCore SkillsSpecialist SkillsLabour AgreementTSS medium-termTSS short-term
2025–262,3891,8732741109834
2024–252,08755511090891441
2023–241,80700761,232499
2022–231,83900401,392406
2021–227100016560132
2020–2133700424191
2019–20369009247106
2018–1939400621295
2017–18340005254
2016–1734200600
2015–1632900600
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
3.4%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Australia, 2023; Sri Lanka ranks 8.

Inflows to Australia, 2023
  1. India55,277
  2. China36,349
  3. Nepal13,771
  4. Philippines13,083
  5. United Kingdom10,185
  6. Pakistan7,521
  7. Vietnam7,503
  8. Sri Lanka6,055
  9. South Africa5,217
  10. Afghanistan4,275
  11. Iran3,651
  12. Malaysia3,534
Other destinations for people from Sri Lanka, 2023
  1. Japan11,328
  2. South Korea8,576
  3. New Zealand7,044
  4. Finland3,260
  5. Italy2,877
  6. Canada2,710
  7. United States2,280
  8. Germany2,058
  9. France1,883
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more