Recent Overseas Migrants

Australians are a funny bunch when it comes to overseas migration. We tolerate outsiders crossing our shores, if only because our population is rapidly ageing or because we're short on particular skilled workers. But when they come here, we either complain that they stealing our jobs or we complain that they're sponging of welfare. Australians are a hard bunch to please, it seems.

Today's release by the ABS on Characteristics of Recent Migrants sheds some interesting light on how migrants to Australia are faring in the labour market. Of those recently migrated, the rate is lowest for those on a humanitarian visa or those who migrated with family.

For one thing, it shows a higher participation rate among recent migrants than Australian born persons.

Participation rate of recent migrants, by country of origin

Participation rate of recent migrants and temporary visitors, by type of visa

The unemployment rates, however, are typically higher (note that data are not available for Oceania or the Americas). This is partly because migrants are more likely to be seeking work (as shown in the above graphs), and therefore more likely to be counted as unemployed. However, it also shows that it is harder for migrants to find work, particularly refugees

Unemployment rate of recent migrants, by country of origin

Unemployment rate of recent migrants and temporary visitors, by type of visa

However, the longer overseas migrants spend in Australia, the more likely they are to rely on a wage or salary as their main source of income, and become less reliant on welfare. Of those who migrated in 2013 or 2014, around 65 per cent report wage or salary as their main source of income, but of those who have been here only a few years, around 85 per cent earn a living.

Main source of income of recent migrants, by year of entry (number of migrants entered in relevant period)

Main source of income of recent migrants, by year of entry (per cent of total migrants entered in relevant period)