TASMANIA must harness its tourism kudos overseas to boost its permanent population, multiculturalism advocates say.

Before the election, Premier Will Hodgman pledged to boost skilled migrant numbers and encourage more overseas students to stay.

The Multicultural Council of Tasmania, the University of Tasmania and the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia are urging the State Government to “get moving”.

“What’s needed now is some meat on the bones of that commitment,” Multicultural Council of Tasmania chief executive Anna Reynolds said.

She called on the Government to sponsor more skilled migrants — to ease their visa processes, as was commonly done in South Australia and Western Australia.

The SA Government also funds billboards and other advertising encouraging overseas students to live and work in the state after graduation.

Mr Hodgman said his Government was dedicated to boosting the state’s migrant population.

“That’s one of the reasons why I participated in the recent national trade delegation to Asia. I was able to hand-deliver that message to our strongest trading partners.”

Immigration Department figures show more than 30 per cent of SA’s skilled migrants are state-sponsored, compared with 10 per cent in Tasmania.

Ms Reynolds said Tasmania was well behind in cultural diversity.

“Just 12 per cent of our residents were born overseas, compared to the national average of over 24 per cent,’’ she said.

Migrants brought skills, fresh perspectives, money and connections, as well as new demand for local services and products, she said.