MEDIA RELEASE
May 28, 2008	Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)	53/2008

The majority of recent migrants are finding work in Australia, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Over two-thirds (68%) of recent migrants (those who have arrived in the last ten years) were employed in November 2007, compared to 66% for people born in Australia.

Over half (54%) of the migrants who had a job at some time since arriving in Australia already had a job arranged before arrival, or had one within 3 months of arrival.

However, just over one-third (36%) reported some difficulties finding their first job - the most common being 'lack of Australian work experience or references', 'language', and 'lack of local contacts and networks'.

Migrants from main English-speaking countries were more likely to have a job than those born in other countries (88% compared to 76%).

Of the migrants with permanent residency, most (90%) were between 15 and 44 years old when they arrived in Australia; their main visa types were skilled visa (49%), family visa (37%) and humanitarian visa (12%).

For temporary residents, the main visa type was student (57%), followed by business (20%).

Since 1998, a total of 1.1 million people aged 15 years or older have arrived in Australia - or around 7% of Australia's population aged 15 years and over.

Over half (57% or 647,000) of these people have obtained permanent resident status and a quarter (25% or 285,100) were temporary residents who planned to stay in Australia for 12 months or more.

Just under one-third (30%) of recent migrants and temporary residents had obtained Australian citizenship.

Further details can be found in Labour Force and Other Characteristics of Recent Migrants, November 2007 (6250.0).