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EDUCATION

The education levels of recent migrants and temporary residents can have a significant impact on their settlement outcomes during their first 10 years in Australia. Respondents were asked about qualifications they had obtained prior to arrival in Australia and if they were recognised in Australia, whether their qualifications were used in their first job and whether they had obtained any qualifications since arrival.

RECENT MIGRANTS

An estimated 62% of recent migrants had obtained a non-school qualification before arrival in Australia. Of these, 72% had obtained a Bachelor Degree or higher, 15% had an Advanced Diploma or Diploma and 12% had a Certificate level qualification. (Table 3)

Almost one third (30%) of recent migrants had obtained a non-school qualification after arrival in Australia. Of these, an estimated 42% had obtained a Bachelor Degree or higher. (Table 3)

Of the recent migrants who had obtained a non-school qualification before arrival in Australia and who had a job since arriving in Australia, 52% had used their highest non-school qualification in their first job. Another 22% of these recent migrants had not used their highest non-school qualification in their first job, but had tried to find work more suited to their qualification. (Table 15)

One third (33%) of recent migrants who had obtained a non-school qualification before arrival had their overseas qualifications recognised in Australia. (Table 16)

SKILLED VISA HOLDERS

About 79% of skilled visa holders who were main applicants had obtained a non-school qualification before arrival and 64% of these were currently employed in a job using their qualification. Of those who had not used their qualification, 33% had tried to find work more suited to their qualifications. (Table 17)

TEMPORARY RESIDENTS

An estimated 61% of temporary residents had obtained a non-school qualification before arrival in Australia. Of these, 77% had a Bachelor Degree or higher. (Table 3)

One quarter (25%) of temporary residents had obtained a non-school qualification after arrival in Australia, with 47% of these completing a Bachelor Degree or higher. (Table 3)