6102.0.55.001 - Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2006  
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Contents >> Methods >> Household Collections >> Chapter 21. Labour Force Supplementary Surveys >> 21.6. Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants

Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods was originally released in 2001 in both electronic and paper versions (cat. no. 6102.0). The paper publication will not be rereleased. However, the web version (cat. no. 6102.0.55.001) is being updated on an ongoing basis. This chapter was updated on 08 July, 2005.

INTRODUCTION

21.6.1 This survey provides data on the labour force status and other characteristics of people who migrated to Australia. The survey also collects information on temporary residents who planned to stay in Australia for 12 months or more. The information collected enables an assessment of the labour market experience of migrants. The most recent survey was conducted in 2004, with a population of people who migrated to Australia after 1984, were aged 15 years or over on arrival, and have permanent Australian resident status, as well as temporary residents. Similar surveys have been conducted on an irregular basis since 1984. Following the 2004 survey, the survey will be conducted every three years.

21.6.2 This section describes only those aspects of the methodology that are unique to this survey, and hence should be used in conjunction with the overview part of this chapter, which outlines the survey methodology used in supplementary surveys.

SURVEY OUTPUT

21.6.3 Data from the survey are published in Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants, Australia (cat. no. 6250.0). More detailed data are available on request.

21.6.4 The populations have varied between cycles of the survey. The main population of interest for the 2004 survey are is people who were born overseas, arrived in Australia after 1984, were aged 15 years and over on arrival, and had obtained permanent Australian resident status prior to or after arrival. Estimates are produced on an original basis only (i.e. are not seasonally adjusted) and include:

Socio-demographic informationSex, age, marital status, relationship in household, family, geographic region, birthplace and year of arrival in Australia.
All personsLabour force status, full-time or part-time status, status in employment (e.g. employee, employer, own account worker), industry and occupation.
MigrantsWhether had a job just before migration, whether worked full-time just before migration, occupation just before migration, residency status, visa type, type of permanent visa before becoming an Australian citizen, whether an Australian citizen, whether main applicant or whether arrived with main applicant, age on arrival, country of last residence, educational attainment on arrival, highest qualification gained since arrival, main source of income, and whether occupation before migration was the same as occupation on survey date.
Migrants born in other than main English-speaking countries
.
Proficiency in spoken English.
.
Migrants with post-school qualificationsCountry in which qualification was obtained before migration, and whether the qualifications obtained before migration have been recognised in Australia.

21.6.5 Data collected in the survey are compiled according to concepts and definitions outlined in Chapter 2 (labour force status), Chapter 4 (employment characteristics) and Chapter 16 (socio-demographic information and industry).


SCOPE

21.6.6 This survey is restricted to people who are aged 15 years or over. The standard scope restrictions for supplementary surveys outlined in Chapter 21 also apply to this survey.


DATA COMPARABILITY OVER TIME

21.6.7 In order to provide a high degree of consistency and comparability over time, changes to survey methods, survey concepts, data item definitions, frequency of collection, and analysis methods are made as infrequently as possible. Over the time the survey has been conducted there have been some changes to the scope and sample size. These changes mean that the standard errors for the survey differ over time. The effect on estimates of the change in scope is considered to have been small. Changes affecting the Labour Force Survey may also affect this survey. Such changes are outlined in Chapter 20 and are not repeated here.

1984Initial survey conducted (March) - preliminary data published in Characteristics of Migrants Aged 18 Years and Over at Time of Arrival and Who Arrived After 1960, Australia, Preliminary (cat. no. 6249.0) and final data in Characteristics of Migrants Aged 18 Years and Over at Time of Arrival and Who Arrived After 1960, Australia (cat. no. 6250.0).
Scope restricted to adult migrants who arrived after 1960.
1987Survey conducted (March) - data published in Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants, Australia (cat. no. 6250.0).
Preliminary publication discontinued.
Survey expanded to collect more data from couples, enabling wife to be classified as principal applicant for migration if this was the case.
1990Survey conducted (September).
Scope revised - adult migrants who arrived in Australia after 1970.
Unit record data released (for this year only). For further information see Information Paper: Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants, Australia, September 1990, Unit Record File on Magnetic Tape (cat. no. 6251.0)
1993Survey conducted (September).
1996Survey conducted (November).
Data item 'Field of qualification obtained before migration' no longer available.
Sample restricted to seven-eighths of the Labour Force Survey sample.
1999Survey conducted (November).
Scope revised - adult migrants who arrived in Australia after 1980 but excluding persons living in remote and sparsely settled areas.
2004Survey conducted (November).
Scope revised - migrants who arrived in Australia after 1984 and were aged 15 years or over on arrival (previous surveys collected data on people who were aged 18 years or over on arrival).
New population added - temporary residents who planned to stay in Australia for 12 months or more.
New data items relating to the residency status (including visa types) of the respondent added.
Data items related to whether the migrant had family or friends in Australia before migration and 'migration category' no longer available.


FURTHER INFORMATION

21.6.8 For further details contact the Labour Market Statistics Section, on Canberra (02) 6252 7206
.



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