3416.0 - Perspectives on Migrants, June 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 15/06/2010   
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CONTENTS

As part of the ABS Census Data Enhancement (CDE) project an experimental data file was created by linking de-identified information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Settlement Database (SDB) to a 5% de-identified sample of records from the 2006 Census. An ABS Research Paper describing the linking process and assessing the quality of the linked file was released in August 2009, 'Research paper: Assessing the Quality of Linking Migrant Settlement Records to Census Data' (ABS cat. no. 1351.0.55.027). The following articles present experimental estimates from the linked file relating to Humanitarian Program migrants and the economic outcomes of Skilled Program migrants. A series of Excel data cubes have been released on the two topics and are present in the downloads tab.


SETTLEMENT OUTCOMES FOR HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM MIGRANTS - EXPERIMENTAL ESTIMATES FROM THE MIGRANTS STATISTICAL STUDY

This article looks at the settlement outcomes of Humanitarian Program migrants. Humanitarian Program migrants require specific policy responses and programs that reflect the unique circumstances of their arrival to Australia. Humanitarian Program migrants have often experienced trauma in their lives prior to their arrival in Australia and, as a result, it may take longer for Humanitarian Program migrants to achieve employment and other positive settlement outcomes and they may require more assistance when they arrive because of differences between Australian lifestyle and culture and their previous experiences. However, this group may also be more motivated to find employment or further their education because they have been given the opportunity to start a new life. Due to small population size this is also a migrant group for which little survey data are available. The article explores various aspects including; selected demographic characteristics (e.g. age, country of birth, religious affiliation, family composition, English proficiency), Australian citizenship status, education, employment, occupation, income and volunteer work.

ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF SKILLED PROGRAM MIGRANTS - EXPERIMENTAL ESTIMATES FROM THE MIGRANTS STATISTICAL STUDY

This article looks at the economic outcomes of Skilled Program migrants. Over the last 10 - 15 years, Australian migration policies have increasingly focused on attracting skilled migrants. While the global financial crisis has had some impact, for example, there was a reduction in the skilled migration intake for 2008-09, the size of skilled migration still increased by 5.7% from the previous financial year to 114,777 places and was the largest outcome on record (DIAC, 2009). The aim of these policies is to bring in skilled migrants with recognised skills who are able to fill particular positions required in Australia. Migrants may have difficulty finding employment, particularly those who have recently arrived in Australia. In addition, information is needed in respect of the 'quality' of employment for working migrants - in terms of pay and conditions, and match to skills and qualifications - and how these factors vary across different migrant subgroups. The ease with which migrants find employment, and broader labour force outcomes, may depend on the type of visa they possess, i.e. their entry conditions. The article explores various aspects including; labour force status, characteristics of employed migrants, English proficiency, income, year of arrival and volunteer work.