SYDNEY - India has overtaken China as the biggest single source of immigrants to Australia, according to data released Monday.

The number of permanent migrants from India exceeded 29,000 in 2011 to 2012, up 12.7 percent from the previous year.

Indian immigrants now make up 23.7 percent of Australia's migration program.

China assumed the No 2 spot, as visa places fell by about 4, 000 to 25,500 last year.

Over the past 15 years the number of Indian-born Australian residents has increased fourfold, while Chinese-born residents tripled.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor said the Asia region is becoming a leading source for permanent migration to Australia.

"Seven of the top 10 source countries in 2011-12 were located in the Asia region," O'Connor said.

"With the government's strong emphasis on skilled migration, this sort of growth is crucial to ensure depth in Australia's labor force,"he added.