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Migrant Data Matrices

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This release provides users with links to available summary data on migrants from a wide range of ABS surveys and outputs

Reference period

2020

Released

22/12/2020

View all releases

How to use the matrices

The migrant data matrices provides links to the data available on migrants from a range of ABS data sources.

Use the interactive migrant data matrices data cube, the A-Z list of data cubes or the topic pages to streamline the content and navigate to the data.

The migrant data matrices data cube

This interactive migrant data matrices data cube (located in the Data downloads section) shows which migrant related data items are available for each ABS product.

It's presented in a number of formats:

alphabetically
by survey reference year
by topic

Each migrant data cube is represented by an ABS product (i.e. column headers in the example table).

If data is available for a migrant related data item, a 'yes' appears in the corresponding row of that data item. Where '-' appears in the matrix, the data item was either not collected or, in some cases, is available only upon request.

A filter table is also available to quickly select data items of interest, and short-list the corresponding migrant data cubes.

Migrant Data item	Births 2019	Census of Population and Housing 2016
Country of birth (person)	yes	yes
Country of birth (mother)	yes	yes
Country of birth (father)	yes	yes
Country of birth (parents)	-	-
Birthplace of Female Parent (Australia or overseas)	-	-
Birthplace of Male Parent (Australia or overseas)	-	-
Birthplace of Parents (Australia or overseas)	-	yes
Country of last residence	-	-
Residency status	-	-
Duration of residence	-	-
Year of arrival in Australia	-	yes
Age on arrival in Australia	-	-
Proficiency in spoken English	-	yes
First language spoken as a child	-	-
Main language other than English spoken at home	-	yes
Main language spoken at home	-	-
Languages spoken at home	-	-
Australian citizenship	-	yes
New Zealand citizenship	-	-
Ancestry	-	yes
Religious affiliation	-	yes
Visa category	-	-
Visa applicant status	-	-
Visa location of application	-	-
Selected demographic characteristics	yes	yes
Selected geographic characteristics	-	yes
Selected work and education characteristics	-	yes
Selected economic characteristics	-	yes

A - Z listing of migrant data cubes

Click this section in the left hand navigation pane if you would like an alphabetical list of links to all released migrant data cubes.

Matrices by topic

ABS products are grouped by topics and data cubes may appear in more than one topic.

There are nine topic groups:

Population characteristics
Labour
Family and community
Health
Education and training
Housing
Personal and household finances
Culture and leisure
Crime and justice.

To obtain detailed information on the contents of any of the nine topic groups, click on the topic in the left hand navigation pane. You will see a table containing a link to the migrant data cube, previous releases and the current source publication.

Please note that although data items may have been collected in an ABS product (indicated by 'yes' in the matrix), data may not be available in the data cube due to issues such as sample size and confidentiality. This will be indicated in the data cube with a cell comment indicating that the data is 'not for publication'.

A to Z listing of data cubes

Migrant data cubes by title

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

L

M

N

P

Q

R

S

U

V

W

Population characteristics

Examples of data items contained in data cubes for Population characteristics include: number of births; age-specific fertility rate; confinements; nuptiality; leading causes of death; median age at death; death rate; underlying causes of death; multiple causes of death; mortality indicators; life expectancy; ancestry; birthplace of parents; religious affiliation; language spoken at home; Australian citizenship; divorces granted; length of marriage to separation; length of marriage to divorce; divorces involving children; crude marriage rate; previous marital status; couples who lived together prior to marriage and type of marriage celebrant.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Population Characteristics	Previous Releases	Source
Australian Census and Migrants Integrated Dataset 2016- Australia	Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia	Understanding Migrant Outcomes - Insights from the Australian Census and Migrants Integrated Dataset, Australia, 2016 (cat. no. 3417.0)
Australian Census and Migrants Integrated Dataset 2011- Australia	Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia	Understanding Migrant Outcomes - Enhancing the Value of Census Data, Australia, 2011 (cat. no. 3417.0)
Australian Census and Temporary Entrants Integrated Dataset 2016 - Australia	Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia	Insights from the Australian Census and Temporary Entrants Integrated Dataset, 2016 (cat. no. 3419.0)
Births 2019	2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006	Births, Australia, 2019 (cat. no. 3301.0)
Causes of Death 2010	2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005	Causes of Death, Australia, 2010 (cat. no. 3303.0)
Census of Population and Housing 2016 : Reflecting Australia - Cultural Diversity	n/a	Census of Population and Housing: Reflecting Australia - Stories from the Census, 2016 (cat. no. 2071.0)
Census of Population and Housing 2016 : Reflecting Australia - Religion	n/a
Census of Population of Housing 2011	2006, 2001	Census of Population of Housing, Place of Enumeration Profile, 2011 (cat. no. 2004.0)
Deaths 2019	2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006	Deaths, Australia, 2019 (cat. no. 3302.0)
Divorces 2007	n/a	Divorces, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3307.0.55.001)
Marriages 2007	n/a	Marriages, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3306.0.55.001)
Marriages and Divorces 2019	2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008	Marriages and Divorces, Australia, 2019 (cat. no. 3310.0)
Settlement Database_Census linked data Experimental estimates 2006	n/a	Perspectives on Migrants, June 2010 (cat. no. 3416.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Population Characteristics Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

For more information and statistics about migrants and migration please see the related publications listed below.

The Country of Birth Quickstats enables you to use a specific country of birth as your starting point for Census information. The search surfaces summary data for Australia and you can then select another geographic level (i.e. state/territory, capital city). Data is presented for the specific country, for all overseas born and Australian born for persons, families and dwellings related data.

Country of Birth Community Profiles provide a comprehensive statistical picture of overseas born persons for selected Local Government Areas (LGA) within Greater Capital City and Commonwealth Electoral Divisions (CED). The profiles provide characteristics about people from selected countries of birth relating to people, families and dwellings, in Excel format.
The Country of Birth Community Profile series includes:

Migration, Australia (cat. no. 3412.0)

The migration publication presents a number of migrant data cubes are available in Excel format as well as ABS.Stat Datasets from the Migration, Australia Data downloads section. These include:

Estimated resident population, Country of birth, Median age
Estimated resident population, Country of birth, Sex ratio
Estimated resident population, Country of birth, State/territory, Age and sex
Net overseas migration, Arrival and departures, State/territory, Major groupings and visa.

Labour

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within labour include: labour force status; unemployment rate; participation rate; full-time and part-time status; occupation; weekly earnings; leave entitlements; trade union membership; hours usually worked; migration status and type of visa by labour force status; whether had a job or looked for a job since arrival; occupation before arrival in Australia; persons not in the labour force; time since last job; main activity when not in the labour force; steps taken to find work; underemployment status, part-time workers who would prefer more hours; single jobholders; multiple jobholders; apprentices and trainees; work in selected cultural and leisure activities.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Labour	Previous Releases	Source
Characteristics of Recent Migrants 2019	2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2004	Characteristics of Recent Migrants, Australia, Nov 2019 (cat. no. 6250.0)
Education and Work 2019	2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2006	Education and Work, Australia, May 2019 (cat. no. 6227.0)
Employee Earnings Benefits and Trade Union Membership 2006	n/a	Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, Aug 2006 (cat. no. 6310.0)
Employment Arrangements Retirement and Superannuation 2007	n/a	Employment Arrangements Retirement and Superannuation, Australia, Apr to Jul 2007 (Re-issue) (cat. no. 6361.0)
Forms of Employment 2009	2007	Forms of Employment, Australia, Nov 2009 (cat. no. 6359.0)
Job Search Experience 2006	n/a	Job Search Experience, Australia, Jul 2006 (cat. no. 6222.0)
Labour Force Feb 2007	n/a	Labour Force, Australia, Feb 2007 (cat. no. 6202.0)
Labour Mobility 2010	n/a	Labour Mobility, Australia, Feb 2010 (cat. no. 6209.0)
Learning and Work 2010-11	n/a	Learning and Work, Australia, 2010–11 (cat. no. 4235.0)
Persons Not In The Labour Force 2011	2007	Persons Not In The Labour Force, Australia, Sep 2011 (cat. no. 6220.0)
Underemployed Workers 2011	2007	Underemployed Workers, Australia, Sep 2011 (cat. no. 6265.0)
Working Time Arrangements 2006	n/a	Working Time Arrangements, Australia, Nov 2006 (cat. no. 6342.0)
Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities 2007	n/a	Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities, Australia, Apr 2007 (cat no. 6281.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Labour Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

For more information and statistics about migrants and the Labour Force, please refer to:

Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery (cat. no. 6291.0.55.001)

The Labour Force survey has four regularly updated datacubes of migrant related data available on a monthly basis. These datacubes are available in Summary Record Database (SRD) format. To view these files, you will need to install the SuperTABLE software. It is free to download and is used to view and manipulate data in multi-dimensional tables. For help and information on SuperTABLE go to 'How do I download data cubes with a SRD file extension?'.

The relevant migrant tables are as follows:

LM4 - Labour Force Status by Elapsed years since arrival, Major country group (subcontinent) of birth (SACC), Sex, State and Territory, January 1991 onwards

LM5 - Labour Force Status by Age, Major country group (subcontinent) of birth (SACC) and Sex, January 1991 onwards

LM7 - Labour Force Status by Elapsed years since arrival, Main English speaking countries, Sex, State and Territory, January 1991 onwards

Family and community

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within family and community include: use of, and demand for, child care for children aged 0-12 years; working arrangements of parents with children aged 0-12 years; divorces granted; divorces involving children; median age at divorce; marriages by median age; previous marital status; couples who lived together prior to marriage; type of celebrant; family and community support; community trust; feels able to have a say on important issues; frequency of contact with family and friends; characteristics of friends; social and community participation at home; social and community participation away from home; involvement in unpaid voluntary work; hours contributed to voluntary work; characteristics of people who volunteer.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Family and Community	Previous Releases	Source
Child Care 2005	n/a	Child Care, Australia, Jun 2005 Second Reissue (cat. no. 4402.0)
Disability, Ageing and Carers 2009	2003	Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2009 (cat. no. 4430.0)
Divorces 2007	n/a	Divorces, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3307.0.55.001)
Family Characteristics 2009–10	n/a	Family Characteristics, Australia, 2009–10 (cat. no. 4442.0)
General Social Survey 2014 (Table 12)	2010, 2006, 2002	General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 (cat. no. 4159.0.55.006)
Marriages 2007	n/a	Marriages, Australia, 2007 (cat. no. 3306.0.55.001)
Marriages and Divorces 2019	2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008	Marriages and Divorces, Australia, 2019 (cat. no. 3310.0)
Voluntary Work 2006	n/a	Voluntary Work, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 4441.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Family and Community Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Health

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within health include: number of causes of death; leading causes of death; median age at death; disability status; carer status; extent of difficulty travelling; physical health and emotional problems interfering with social activity; long-term health conditions; self assessed health status; psychological distress level; MBS and/or PBS subsidised mental health related services; level of exercise; body mass index; smoker status; alcohol risk level; intake of fruit and vegetables; participation in sport or activities as a player; constraints and motivators to participation in sports or activities.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Health	Previous Releases	Source
Causes of Death 2010	2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005	Causes of Death, Australia, 2010 (cat. no. 3303.0)
Cultural and Linguistic Characteristics of People using Mental Health Services and Prescription Medications, 2011	n/a	Cultural and Linguistic Characteristics of People using Mental Health Services and Prescription Medications, 2011 (cat. no. 4329.0.00.001)
Disability, Ageing and Carers 2009	2003	Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2009 (cat. no. 4430.0)
General Social Survey 2014 (Table 12)	2010, 2002	General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 (cat. no. 4159.0.55.006)
National Health Survey 2014-15	2007–08 (second release) 2004-05 (second release), 2007–08 (first release) 2004-05 (first release)	National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15 (cat. no. 4364.0)
Participation in Sports and Physical Recreation 2005-06	n/a	Participation in Sports and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2005-06 (cat. no. 4177.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Health Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Education and training

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within education and training include: participation in formal, non-formal and informal adult learning by selected socio-demographic characteristics of participants and non-participants; Australians' literacy skills in the domains of prose literacy, document literacy, numeracy and problem solving; whether non-school qualification obtained in Australia or overseas; region in which qualification was obtained; study and training intentions; barriers to study and work-related training; highest year of school completed; non-school qualifications; level and main field of education; characteristics of training courses; educational enrolment experience; and type of study and attendance.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Education and Training	Previous Releases	Source
Adult Learning 2006-07	n/a	Adult Learning, Australia, 2006-07 (cat. no. 4229.0)
Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey 2006	n/a	Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey, Summary Results, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 4228.0)
Characteristics of Recent Migrants 2019	2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2004	Characteristics of Recent Migrants, Australia, Nov 2019 (cat. no. 6250.0)
Education and Training Experience 2009	2005	Education and Training Experience, Australia, 2009 (cat. no. 6278.0)
Education and Work 2019	2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2006	Education and Work, Australia, May 2019 (cat. no. 6227.0)
Learning and Work 2010-11	n/a	Learning and Work, Australia, 2010–11 (cat. no. 4235.0)
Qualifications and Work 2015	n/a	Qualification and Work, Australia 2015 (cat. no. 4235.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Education and Training Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Housing

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within housing include: principal source of household income; assets and liabilities; tenure and landlord type; dwelling structure; housing utilisation; housing costs as a proportion of gross income; household expenditure; housing characteristics; housing mobility; equity in dwelling and assets and household debt and payments.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Housing	Previous Releases	Source
Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003	n/a	Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2003 (cat. no. 4430.0)
Family Characteristics 2009–10	n/a	Family Characteristics, Australia, 2009–10 (cat. no. 4442.0)
General Social Survey 2014 (Table 12)	2010, 2006	General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 (cat. no. 4159.0.55.006)
Income and Housing, 2017-18	2009–10	Household Income and Wealth, Australia, 2017-18 (cat. no. 6523.0)
Income and Housing 2007–08	2005–06	Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2007–08 (cat. no. 6523.0)
Income and Housing and Household Expenditure 2009–10	2003–04	Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2009–10 (cat. no. 6523.0) Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Summary of Results, 2009–10 (cat. no. 6530.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Housing Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Personal and household finances

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within personal and household finances include: principal source of household income; current main source of household income; equivalised disposable household income quintiles; mean of equivalised disposable household income; mean weekly earnings; housing costs; housing utilisation; household expenditure; net worth; equity in dwelling; assets and liabilities; household debt and payments; financial stress indicators; contribution of government pensions and allowances to gross household income and housing mobility.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Personal and Household Finances	Previous Releases	Source
Characteristics of Recent Migrants 2019	2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2004	Characteristics of Recent Migrants, Australia, Nov 2019 (cat. no. 6250.0)
Employee Earnings Benefits and Trade Union Membership 2006	n/a	Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, Aug 2006 (cat. no. 6310.0)
Employment Arrangements Retirement and Superannuation 2007	n/a	Employment Arrangements Retirement and Superannuation, Australia, Apr to Jul 2007 (Re-issue) (cat. no. 6361.0)
General Social Survey 2010	2006, 2002	General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2010 (cat. no. 4159.0.55.006)
Income and Housing, 2017-18	2009–10	Household Income and Wealth, Australia, 2017-18 (cat. no. 6523.0)
Income and Housing 2007-08	2005-06	Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2007-08 (cat. no. 6523.0)
Income and Housing and Household Expenditure 2009-10	2003-04	Household Income and Income Distribution, Australia, 2009-10 (cat. no. 6523.0) Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Summary of Results, 2009-10 (cat. no. 6530.0)
Personal Income of Migrants 2016-17	2015-16, 2014-15 ,2013-14, 2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10	Personal Income of Migrants, Australia, 2016-17 (cat. no. 3418.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Personal and Household Finances Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Culture and leisure

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within culture and leisure include: attendance at cultural venues and events; type of culture and leisure venues attended; culture and leisure participation away from home; children's involvement in cultural and leisure activities; attendance at sporting events; participation in sporting activities (as a player); regularity of sports participation; constraints and motivators in sporting activities; and work in selected culture and leisure activities.

The links in the table below take you to the latest migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Culture and Leisure	Previous Releases	Source
Attendance at Selected Cultural Venues and Events 2009-10	2005-06	Attendance at Selected Cultural Venues and Events, Australia, 2009-10 (cat. no. 4114.0)
Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities 2006	n/a	Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia, Apr 2006 (cat. no. 4901.0)
Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003	n/a	Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2003 (cat. no. 4430.0)
General Social Survey 2014 (Table 12)	2010 , 2006, 2002	General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 (cat. no. 4159.0.55.006)
Participation in Sports and Physical Recreation 2005-06	n/a	Participation in Sports and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2005-06 (cat. no. 4177.0)
Sports Attendance 2005-06	n/a	Sports Attendance, Australia, 2005-06 (cat. no. 4174.0)
Work in Culture and Leisure Activities 2007	n/a	Work in Culture and Leisure Activities, Australia, Apr 2007 (cat. no. 6281.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Culture and Leisure Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Crime and justice

Examples of data items contained in data cubes within crime and justice include: feelings of safety at home alone; feelings of safety walking alone in local area after dark. victims of household crime, actual or attempted break-in, personal crime, physical or threatened violence, physical abuse, harassment, stalking; and problems in neighbourhood.

The links in the table below take you to the migrant data cubes, previously released data cubes and the source publication.

Crime and Justice	Previous releases	Source
Crime and Safety 2005	n/a	Crime and Safety, Australia, Apr 2005 (cat. no. 4509.0)
Crime Victimisation 2010-11	2009–10, 2008–09	Crime Victimisation, Australia 2010-11 (cat. no. 4530.0)
General Social Survey 2014 (Table 12 Migrants)	2010, 2006, 2002	General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 (cat. no. 4159.0.55.006)
Personal Safety 2005	n/a	Personal Safety, Australia, 2005 (cat. no. 4906.0)

Detailed information on the data collections from which these ABS products are sourced can also be found under the Crime and Justice Topic in the Guide to Migrant Statistical Sources (cat. no. 3414.0).

Data downloads

Migrant data matrices datacube

Data files

Download xlsx [181.48 KB]

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Australia

Data files

Download xls [501 KB]

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - ACT

Data files

Download xls [426.5 KB]

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - NSW

Data files

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Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - NT

Data files

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Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Queensland

Data files

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Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - SA

Data files

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Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Tasmania

Data files

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Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Victoria

Data files

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Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - WA

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Australia

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - ACT

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - NSW

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - NT

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Queensland

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - SA

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Tasmania

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Victoria

Data files

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Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - WA

Data files

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Births 2019

Data files

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Causes of death 2010

Data files

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Census of population and housing 2016

Data files

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Census of population and housing 2016 : reflecting Australia - cultural diversity

Data files

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Census of population and housing 2016 : reflecting Australia - religion

Data files

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Characteristics of recent migrants 2019

Data files

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Crime victimisation 2010-11

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 1

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 2

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 3

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 4

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 5

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 6

Data files

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Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 7

Data files

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Deaths 2019

Data files

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Disability, ageing and carers 2009

Data files

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Education and work 2019

Data files

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General Social Survey 2014 (table 12 migrants)

Data files

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Income and Housing 2017-18

Data files

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Labour mobility 2010

Data files

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Learning and work 2010-11

Data files

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Marriages and Divorces 2019

Data files

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National Health Survey 2014-15

Data files

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Personal income of migrants 2014-15

Data files

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Personal income of migrants 2015-16

Data files

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Personal income of migrants 2016-17

Data files

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Persons not in the labour force 2011

Data files

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Underemployed workers 2011

Data files

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All data cubes

Data files

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Glossary

Show all

This glossary contains general definitions for migrant related data items in the ABS collections referred to in the matrices. While a general definition is provided in this glossary, this may vary slightly between collections. It is therefore recommended that you also refer to the Glossary for the individual collection.

Age

Age is defined as the measure of time elapsed from date of live birth to a specific point in time (e.g. date of a particular survey or collection), measured in complete years.

Age on arrival in Australia

Age on arrival in Australia is defined as the age of a person, who was born overseas, when they first arrived in Australia from another country, with the intention of staying in Australia for one year or more. Measured in complete years.

Ancestry

Ancestry describes the ethnic or cultural heritage of a person, that is, the ethnic or cultural groups to which a person's forebears are or were attached.

Ancestry is defined as the ethnic or cultural groups which a person identifies as being his or her ancestry. Ancestry therefore involves measures of self-identification of ethnic or cultural group affiliation or nationality as well as of descent from one or more particular groups.

Australian citizenship

Australian citizenship is a person's status in relation to Australia and carries with it certain responsibilities and privileges. The Australian Citizenship Act 2007 determines who holds Australian citizenship. A person may acquire Australian citizenship in a number of ways, for example, by birth, adoption, descent, resumption or grant of Australian citizenship (naturalisation).

Birthplace of female parent

Indicates whether a person's mother was born in Australia or overseas.

Birthplace of male parent

Indicates whether a person's father was born in Australia or overseas.

Birthplace of parents

Indicates if a person's mother and/or father was born in Australia or overseas.

Business skills stream

The business skills stream comprises successful business people with a business skills visa who have established skills in business and a genuine commitment to owning and managing a business in Australia.

Business skills visas are specific visas designed for:

a short term purpose such as a business conference, site inspection, negotiation or exploratory visit; or
longer term executive or specialist assignment in Australia; or
establishing a business and settling in Australia permanently.

Since 1 March 2003, the majority of business skills entrants enter Australia initially on a business skills (provisional) temporary visa for four years and, after satisfactory evidence of a specified level of business or investment activity, may apply for permanent residence.

Country of birth of father

Country of birth of father is defined as the country in which a person's father was born. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).

Country of birth of mother

Country of birth of mother is defined as the country in which a person's mother was born. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).

Country of birth of person

Country of birth of person is defined as the country in which a person was born. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).

Country of last residence

Country of last residence is defined as the country in which the person last lived before coming to Australia to live. Classified according to the Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC) (cat. no. 1269.0).

Family stream

The family stream allows for the migration of immediate family members (such as spouses or fiancés and dependent children) of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. Places are also available for other family members including parents, orphan relatives, aged dependent relatives, special need relatives and last remaining relatives.

Australian citizens or residents can sponsor their partners, parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and non-dependent children. Family members living outside of Australia can be sponsored by a relative or family member living in Australia under the following categories:

spouse;
prospective marriage;
child;
adoption;
parent (meeting the balance of family test);
aged dependent relative;
last remaining relative;
orphan dependent relative;
special need relative; and
interdependency.

First language spoken

First language spoken is defined as the first language an individual masters during the language acquisition phase of intellectual development. This would generally be the language spoken in the home by the people who have raised the individual from infancy.

Humanitarian program

The Humanitarian program is designed for refugees and others in special humanitarian need. It comprises 'offshore resettlement' for people overseas, and 'onshore protection' for those people already in Australia who arrived on temporary visas or in an unauthorised manner, and who have been given Australia's protection.

There are two permanent humanitarian streams:

refugee stream, which provides resettlement to Australia for people outside their home country subject to persecution in their home country; and
special humanitarian stream. The Special Humanitarian Programs (SHP) comprise the In-country Special Humanitarian Program for people suffering persecution within their own country and the Global Special Humanitarian Program for people who have left their country because of substantial discrimination amounting to a gross violation of human rights.

Language spoken at home

Language spoken at home is defined as the language or languages spoken by a person in his/her home, on a regular basis, to communicate with other residents of the home and regular visitors to the home. Classified according to the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL) (cat. no. 1267.0). Usually only one language is coded for each person.

Main applicant

The person on whose application the grant of a visa is decided for that person and his/her dependants.

When a family unit migrates to Australia as part of the same migration event, they are all listed on the same visa application. The type of visa held by all the family members is therefore the same as that held by the main applicant. For example, if the mother obtained a Skilled visa and was sponsored by an employer then all other family members on that visa application would be classified as holding a Skilled visa and being sponsored by an employer. This also covers instances where the respondent was listed on the visa with other people but did not arrive in Australia at the same time as them (e.g. stayed back in their home country to settle affairs while the others moved out here and then rejoined them here a few months later).

Main English-speaking countries

Main English-speaking countries generally comprise the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America and South Africa. The list of main English-speaking countries (MESC) is not an attempt to classify countries on the basis of whether or not English is the predominant or official language of each country. It is a list of the main countries from which Australia receives, or has received, significant numbers of overseas settlers who are likely to speak English. It is important to note that being from a non-main English-speaking country (non-MESC) does not imply a lack of proficiency in English.

As the Australian Bureau of Statistics no longer formally utilises a standard classification for MESC, differences in defining MESC countries, particularly those countries comprising the United Kingdom (UK), may exist between survey collections. In general, the UK group comprises England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; whereas for some survey collections, such as the Multipurpose Household survey (MPHS), the UK group also includes the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Main language other than English spoken at home

Main language other than English spoken at home is the main language, other than English, spoken by a person in his/her home, on a regular basis, to communicate with other residents of the home and regular visitors to the home.

Main language spoken at home

Main language spoken at home is defined as the main language spoken by a person in his/her home, on a regular basis, to communicate with other residents of the home and regular visitors to the home.

Migrant

Migrant is defined as a person who was born overseas whose usual residence is Australia. A person is regarded as a usual resident if they have been (or are expected to be) residing in Australia for a period of 12 months or more. As such, it generally refers to all people, regardless of nationality, citizenship or legal status who usually live in Australia, with the exception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. Persons may have permanent resident status or temporary resident status (plan to stay in Australia for 12 months or more).

Permanent settlers comprise:

travellers who hold migrant visas (regardless of stated intended period of stay);
New Zealand citizens who indicate an intention to migrate permanently; and
those who are otherwise eligible to settle (e.g. overseas-born children of Australian citizens)

The scope of some ABS surveys (i.e. Characteristics of Recent Migrants) may restrict the definition of migrants to include only migrants who arrived in Australia during a particular time period (for example, recent migrant in the last 10 years) and who were aged 15 years or more on arrival.

Other than main English-speaking countries

Other than main English-speaking countries are non-main English-speaking countries. This category is comprised of all countries except Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America and South Africa.

Permanent resident of Australia

Permanent resident is defined as a person who was born overseas and has obtained permanent Australian resident status prior to or after their arrival.

Permanent visa

A permanent visa is the permission or authority granted by Australia for foreign nationals to live in Australia permanently. There are two programs for people wanting to come to Australia permanently.

One is the migration program, which is made up of:

a skilled migration stream, which has a number of categories for people who have particular occupation skills, outstanding talents or business skills;
a family migration stream, where people can be sponsored by a relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; and
special eligibility migrants, who are former citizens or residents wanting to return to Australia, or certain New Zealanders.

The second program is the Humanitarian program, which is designed for refugees and others in special humanitarian need.

Proficiency in spoken English

Proficiency in spoken English is defined as the ability to speak English in every day situations. Generally classified as: very well, well, not well or not at all.

Prospective marriage visa

Applicants for a prospective marriage [fiancé(e)] visa must be engaged to marry their sponsor. The marriage must take place after the applicant's first entry to Australia and before the visa expires. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must be able to prove that they genuinely intend to marry their fiancé(e) within nine months from the date they are granted a visa, and intend to then live with their partner as their spouse; and that the applicant and fiancé(e) have met and are personally known to each other. Generally the applicant and fiance must be aged 18 or over.

People applying under the prospective marriage [fiancé(e)] category go through a three-stage process. The process involves applying for a prospective marriage temporary visa (stage 1), a spouse temporary visa (stage 2) and a spouse permanent visa (stage 3). For a spouse temporary visa, evidence is required that the marriage has taken place and is genuine and continuing. The applicant and spouse may be asked to attend an interview. Successful applicants are granted a temporary visa which will be in effect until a decision is made on the application for a permanent visa.

Note: Most spouses/fiances successfully obtain a permanent visa after initially obtaining a temporary visa. Because of this, temporary spouse and fiance(e) visas are counted as permanent visas.

Refugee

A refugee is a person who is subject to persecution in their home country and who is in need of resettlement. The majority of applicants who are considered under this category are identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and referred by UNHCR to Australia.

Religious affiliation

Religious affiliation is defined as the religious beliefs and practices to which a person adheres or the religious group to which a person belongs. Classified according to the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (cat. no. 1266.0).

Residency status (on most recent arrival to live in Australia)

Refers to people who either came to Australia as migrants (permanent residents) or temporary residents. It should be noted that some temporary residents later become permanent residents.

Skilled migration stream

Migrants who are selected on the basis of their occupation skills, outstanding talents or business skills, age, English-language ability and family relationships.

There are a number of categories under the skilled migration stream, including:

skilled independent;
skilled Australian sponsored, which includes designated area sponsored;
business skills; and
skilled employer (or state) sponsored, which includes employer nominated scheme, regional sponsored migration scheme, state or territory specific migration.

Skilled Australian sponsored visa

Migrants who are selected on the basis of their skills, age, English-language ability and family relationship. They must be sponsored by a relative already living in Australia.

Skilled employer sponsored

Employers may nominate (or 'sponsor') overseas born people, on a permanent basis, to fill vacancies which the employers:

have been unable to fill from the Australian labour market; or
have been unable to fill through their own training programs; or
are responding to identified or emerging labour market (or skill) shortages.

The Employer Nominated Scheme allows direct recruitment of highly skilled workers by Australian employers who have tried unsuccessfully to fill the positions from within Australia either by recruitment or training. Applicants must satisfy a points test. This includes the Labour Agreement category for people who are nominated by an employer or organisation under a Labour Agreement, Regional Headquarters Agreement or the Regional Sponsored Migration 41 Scheme and who have the skills, qualifications, and experience required.

For an employer to have sponsored the person, that person should have taken up employment with that employer on arrival in Australia. The offer of employment must have been made before any migration application papers were filled out.

Student visa (temporary)

The Australian Government operates an overseas student program (OSP) that allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to undertake formal or non-formal study in Australia for a specific period. Student visas can only be granted if a registered course or part of a registered course is undertaken on a full-time basis.

An exception to this is Chinese nationals in Australia at the time of the Tiananmen Square uprising (1 November 1993). They were initially given temporary student visas but these were then converted to permanent visas.

Temporary resident of Australia

A temporary resident of Australia is a person who was born overseas and who plans to stay in Australia for 12 months or more and had not obtained permanent Australian resident status.

Temporary visa

A temporary visa is the permission or authority granted by Australia for foreign nationals to travel to Australia and stay up to a specified period of time. The main categories of temporary visas are:

Visitors - persons approved for entry into Australia for a temporary stay as tourists, business visitors, for the purpose of visiting relatives or obtaining medical treatment. Visitors are not normally permitted to engage in employment in Australia.

Students - persons approved for entry into Australia for a specific period for the purpose of undertaking formal or non-formal study. An exception to this is Chinese nationals in Australia at the time of the Tiananmen Square uprising (1 November 1993). They were initially given temporary student visas but these were then converted to permanent visas.

Short-stay business visas - persons approved for entry into Australia on the basis that their principal purpose of journey is a short stay (up to 3 months) business visit. Their visit must be consistent with their business background and relate to their existing activities.

Long-stay business visas - allows for skilled overseas workers to enter Australia to engage in employment or business for up to four years. This visa is for Australian businesses that wish to sponsor qualified people from overseas, overseas businesses seeking to engage in business in Australia, or for people who want to establish a business in Australia. The position being filled must meet minimum skill and salary thresholds.

Temporary residents - persons approved for non-permanent entry into Australia of economic, social, cultural and sporting benefit. For example, people with specialist skills such as managers, executives, academics, medical practitioners, specialists and technical workers; people who contribute to the development of international relations, such as diplomats and other personnel of foreign governments; and people who make a social or cultural contribution to the community, such as entertainers, media and film staff, sports people, religious workers, visiting academics and public lecturers.
Temporary residents (including long-stay business visa holders) are generally sponsored by an Australian business or organisation to work in Australia as a skilled paid employee. Their initial stay in Australia is generally for more than 3 months but not more than 4 years.

Visa

A visa (or travel authority) is permission or authority granted by Australia for foreign nationals to travel to Australia. A visa is a stamp or label in a passport; a travel authority is an electronically-stored record for a short-term tourist or business entry which fills the same role as a visa but through a simplified administrative process. In most ABS surveys, the use of the word 'visa' refers to both of these types of travel authorisations. Immigration law requires all travellers who are not Australian citizens (except New Zealand citizens) to obtain authority, in the form of a visa or travel authority, to travel to, and stay in Australia.

Visa category on arrival

People can come to Australia with either a permanent or temporary visa.

A permanent visa is the permission or authority granted by Australia for foreign nationals to live in Australia permanently. There are two programs for people wanting to come to Australia permanently: the Migration program (made up of a skilled migration stream, a family migration stream, and a special eligibility migrants stream) and the Humanitarian program (designed for refugees and others in special humanitarian need).
A temporary visa is the permission or authority granted by Australia for foreign nationals to travel to Australia and stay up to a specified period of time. The main categories of temporary visas are: visitors, students, short-stay business visas, long-stay business visas, and temporary residents.

Year of arrival in Australia

Year of arrival in Australia is the year a person who was born overseas first arrived in Australia from another country, with the intention of staying in Australia for one year or more.

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 3415.0.

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APA

Migrant Data Matrices

APA

How to use the matrices

The migrant data matrices data cube

A - Z listing of migrant data cubes

Matrices by topic

A to Z listing of data cubes

Migrant data cubes by title

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Population characteristics

Labour

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Data downloads

Migrant data matrices datacube

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Australia

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - ACT

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - NSW

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - NT

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Queensland

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - SA

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Tasmania

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - Victoria

Australian Census and migrants integrated dataset 2016 - WA

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Australia

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - ACT

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - NSW

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - NT

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Queensland

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - SA

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Tasmania

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - Victoria

Australian Census and temporary entrants integrated dataset - WA

Births 2019

Causes of death 2010

Census of population and housing 2016

Census of population and housing 2016 : reflecting Australia - cultural diversity

Census of population and housing 2016 : reflecting Australia - religion

Characteristics of recent migrants 2019

Crime victimisation 2010-11

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 1

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 2

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 3

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 4

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 5

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 6

Cultural and linguistic characteristics of people using mental health services and prescription medications, 2011: table 7

Deaths 2019

Disability, ageing and carers 2009

Education and work 2019

General Social Survey 2014 (table 12 migrants)

Income and Housing 2017-18

Labour mobility 2010

Learning and work 2010-11

Marriages and Divorces 2019