6250.0 - Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants, Australia, Nov 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 17/06/2005   
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MEDIA RELEASE

June 17, 2005
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
73/2005

Two-thirds of migrants currently employed: ABS

In November 2004, two-thirds of Australia's migrants were employed, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This rate is similar to that of people born in Australia (64%). The unemployment rate for migrants (5.6%) is slightly higher than the rate for those born in Australia (4.9%).

More than half (56%) of employed migrants had changed their occupation since arriving in Australia. Close to three-quarters (73%) of migrants who were employed had a job in the country they migrated from prior to their arrival in Australia. Male migrants were more likely to be employed (80%) than female migrants (55%).

Of the 1.4 million migrants in Australia in November 2004:
  • The majority (87%) were aged 15-44 years.
  • One-quarter (337,300) had a temporary visa on their most recent arrival to live in Australia, and had obtained a permanent visa by November 2004. Of those who had obtained a permanent visa, 45% were in the family stream.
  • Just under a half (661,100) arrived with non-school qualifications (i.e. educational attainments other than primary or secondary).
    • Over half (54%) had their overseas qualifications recognised in Australia
    • 57% arrived with a Bachelor Degree or higher.

Note: For the purposes of this survey, migrants are defined as people who were born overseas, arrived in Australia after 1984, were aged 15 years and over on arrival, and had obtained permanent Australian resident status by November 2004.

Further information is in Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Migrants, 2004 (cat. no. 6250.0).