3413.0 - Migrant Statistics News, Oct 2008  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/10/2008   
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LABOUR FORCE STATUS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF RECENT MIGRANTS

Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Recent Migrants, Australia, Nov 2007 (cat. no. 6250.0) presents information about recent migrants - people who were born overseas, arrived in Australia during the 10 years to November 2007, and were aged 15 years or over on arrival. It also provides information about temporary residents who planned to stay in Australia for 12 months or more.

The publication includes a summary of findings and data relating to visa category, country of birth, educational attainment on arrival, employment, whether occupation before migration was the same as current occupation, difficulties faced in finding a job, length of time taken to find work, unemployment, labour force participation, qualifications and household income for migrants and temporary residents. Estimates may be cross classified by state, sex, age and marital status.

The publication's media release, 'More migrants find work in Australia', highlighted that over two-thirds (68%) of recent migrants were employed in November 2007 compared to 66% for people born in Australia. However, just over one-third (36%) reported some difficulties finding their first job: the most common difficulties being 'lack of Australian work experience or references', 'language', and 'lack of local contacts and networks'.

(The name of this survey was changed to reflect a change in scope. 'Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants' was conducted in 1984, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999 and 2004 and covered migrants who arrived in the 20 years prior to the survey.)