The bar chart shows the migration patterns of proficient workers, measured in thousands, across four distinct occupations that migrated to Australia at 3-year intervals, from 2009 to 2012. Overall, the figures for all occupations show marked disparities. Accounting led the pack with the highest figures for all years, while cooks and software engineers followed some way behind. In contrast, computer programming sector consistently had the lowest workforce rate, lagging behind other professions.
The number of people in accounting and software engineering was orders of magnitude higher than in other occupations, with the former slightly exceeding the latter. In 2009, the number of accountants amounted to approximately 20,000. This figure then experienced a significant surge, reaching a peak of roughly 28,000 in 2012, surpassing other occupations in terms of workforce rate. Subsequently, the number of accountants experienced a moderate decline, dropping to 20,000 in 2013 and further decreasing to 18,000 in 2014.From 2009 onwards, the figure for software engineering showed a consistent upward trajectory over three consecutive years, rising from a base of 18,000 in the initial year to a peak of 22,000 in 2011. Despite further growth, the figure then experienced a downturn, plunging to around 16,000 in 2012, while still retaining its position as a distant runner-up in the chart.
The remaining occupations—cooking and computer programming—display varying degrees of change. Despite mild fluctuations, the number of people working as cooks accounted for 17,000 in 2009, this figure then saw a downward trend, decreasing to exactly 15,000 in 2010. Ultimately, closing the period with respective figures of approximately 18,000 in 2011 and 16,000 in 2012.At the end of the spectrum was computer programming, which consistently recorded the lowest figures. Starting the period with a mere 2,000, the number of migrants in computer programming rose modestly to 3,000 in 2010. This figure then reverted back to its initial point of 2,000 in 2011. Lastly, in 2012, it saw moderate growth, increasing to exactly 5,000 in the final year.