An analysis of the number of Australia's brain drain is now in reverse gear.
Figures from the Bureau of Statistics reveal that record numbers of Australian expats are heading home after living and working more than a year abroad.
February and March broke new records for monthly arrivals outside of the Christmas period.
However, the ABC reports that returning expats can be seen as economic refugees of a kind, fleeing the impact of the global financial crisis on overseas economies.
There is also concern that Australia is ill-equipped to capitalise on the skills and expertise they are bringing home with them.
A Senate inquiry 10 years ago concluded that expats were an under-utilised resource.
The inquiry recommended a series of measures to encourage the most mobile sector of the nation's workforce, but the ABC reports it seems little has changed.
