In 1981, around 50 percent of immigrants were from Europe, and only 2.7 percent were from Asia. By 1991, North Asia accounted for 20 percent of all arrivals compared to 20 percent from Europe (Australian Bureau of Statistics 1981, 1991). By 1999–2000, immigration from Northand Southeast Asia accounted for around 34 percent of all arrivals in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003).

As will be discussed, the changes in immigration patterns for Australia are significant, because given the low fertility rate (1.75), immigration is primarily responsible for future population growth. Changes in immigration patterns thus imply future changes in preferences and tastes and development of more diverse market niches within the country.

There is a small, yet culturally significant, indigenous Aboriginal community representing less than 2 percent of the population. Aboriginal visual and oral culture was included in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics. There is worldwide interest in Aboriginal art, with motifs being used on everything from decorative ties to aircraft flown by the nation’s major airline carrier, Qantas.