Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
53/2008
More migrants find work in Australia: ABS
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).
FURTHER INFORMATION: Media requests and interviews
Richard Lynch (02) 6252 6139; 0407 107 931
Ilona Fraser (02) 6252 7480; 0418 202 580
Statistical clarification
Andrew Middleton (08) 8237 7306
NEWS 
