Sydney - Australia flagged a cut in immigration Friday because of the global financial crisis, faltering economic growth and a rise in unemployment.

The immigrant intake has doubled over the past 10 years and was set to double again as a booming economy took unemployment to a 30-year low.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned that this year's annual quota of 190,300 would not be matched when the 2009 quota is set in May.

"We adjust it according to the economic circumstances," Rudd said.

Of this year's quota, 135,000 are selected to meet the demand for particular skills not being met locally. As the economy slows and unemployment rises from its current rate of 4.3 per cent, labour demand will fall.

Before the global financial crisis crimped growth projections, Immigration Minister Chris Evans said that "when unemployment is very low I believe you can run a successful, large immigration programme." It follows that as labour demand falls, the immigration programme would be cut.

Monash University researcher Andrew Markus has estimated that of the 21 million Australians, a quarter were born abroad - twice the proportion of the population in the United States and three times that of Britain.

Britain and New Zealand are still the largest source countries, but almost every country is represented. (dpa)