Aust slips backwards in migrant index

Australia's performance in resettling migrants has slipped, according to a global ranking.

Australia lost points on the migrant integration policy index for making it harder for migrants to reunite with family and get permanent residency.

Australian National University lecturer Jessica Kinsella, who helped compile the Australian data, said while much public debate focused on who was kept out and who was allowed in, migrant policies needed attention in order to promote social cohesion.

Ms Kinsella says migrants who want to bring their elderly parents to Australia could face a 30 year wait unless they can afford to pay more than $100,000 in visa fees.

"People just can't do that," she said.

Australia needs to weigh up the need of migrants to be with family against the burden some could place on the health system, along with the economic contribution grandparents can make as a source of childcare.

Australia is ranked eight out of 38 developed countries in the index.