AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Solid employment for Australia’s skilled migrants

Friday, 18 May 2007

Recently arrived skilled migrants are enjoying strong employment outcomes and job satisfaction, according to preliminary results of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) third longitudinal survey of immigrants.

10,000 skill stream and family stream primary applicants took part in the survey which covered migrants who arrived or were granted their visa onshore between December 2005 and March 2006.

The results indicated a skilled migration employment rate well beyond the national average at 97%. A far jump from the 1993 and 1995 (Labor) results which showed an unemployment rate for skilled migrants (excluding accompanying family members) at 25% after eighteen months in Australia.

The results also present an extremely high participation rate of 94% which is approximately one and a half times the national average.

Migrants on spouse visas are also experiencing the benefits of solid employment outcomes. They have an unemployment rate of five per cent and a high workforce participation rate of 72 percent.

The Governments continual focus on resolving Australia's critical shortage of skilled workers looks to be paying off. The promising figures highlight DIAC's recent changes to the Migration Programme intake which included an additional 5000 places to the Skilled Migration Stream for skilled workers bringing the total to 102,500.

To further boost Australia’s skilled migrant intake, the Government will also be implementing thorough selection policies designed to target young workers with recognised skills and a good command of English.

The Government is confident that the new selection criteria will ensure that migrants are capable of making a solid contribution to Australia’s growing economy, creating concrete employment opportunities for Australians and future migrants in return.