Occupations of Migrants in Australia: An In-Depth Analysis

Migrants to Australia tend to fill a variety of roles reflecting both the demand in the labor market and the skills of the incoming population. This article delves into the top sectors and specific jobs held by migrants in Australia, based on the 2011 Census and more recent data. Understanding these patterns is crucial for both migrants navigating the job market and policy-makers aiming to support integration.

The Most Common Jobs Held by Migrants

Migrants to Australia predominantly occupy positions in healthcare and social assistance, construction, hospitality, information technology, education, manufacturing, retail, and agriculture. These sectors collectively demonstrate a diverse range of job opportunities for the incoming population.

Healthcare and Social Assistance: Many migrants work as nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals due to Australia’s consistent demand for healthcare services. Construction: The construction industry attracts many migrants with roles such as builders, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Hospitality: Jobs in restaurants, cafes, and hotels are common, including positions like chefs, waitstaff, and hotel management. Information Technology (IT): IT professionals including software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity experts are in high demand. Education: Many migrants work in education, especially in areas with shortages, such as STEM subjects. Manufacturing: Roles in manufacturing, including assembly line workers and machine operators, are also common among migrant populations. Retail: Many migrants find employment in retail as sales assistants, managers, and in logistics and supply chain roles. Agriculture: Seasonal work in agriculture, such as fruit picking and farm management, is another avenue for migrants.

Key Skill Shortages and Industry Insights

Key skill shortages exist in engineering, health, skilled trades, and education. The 2011 Census figures, highlighted below, show the split between Australian-born workers and key migrant groups in terms of employment:

Health care and social assistance: 1.03 million total population Retail: 1.02 million total population Manufacturing: 469,000 total population Construction: 372,000 total population Education and training: 213,000 total population

The order changes based on the migrant group being considered, with the health sector dominating when looking at all migrants irrespective of origin. However, the top 5 industries where migrant workers exceed Australian-born workers by number include:

Health care and social assistance Retail Construction Manufacturing Education and training

These insights help us understand where many migrants enter the job market, often highlighting specific sectors where they can get their first foothold in a new country. For example, it is common to hear that "most of Melbourne’s taxi drivers are India-born migrants," although this is not strictly accurate and likely represents a temporary situation for many individuals.

The Experience of Skilled Migrants

While it is hoped that every migrant secures a job relevant to their qualifications, this is not always the case. Historically, the unemployment rate has been about 1.2 percent higher for migrants than for Australian-born citizens. However, skilled migrants account for over 68 percent of the migrant workforce, and it is reasonable to assume that they will find a skilled job, either initially or within a reasonable period.

While there have been instances where overseas-qualified professionals ended up in lower-skilled jobs, recent efforts have been made to ensure better recognition of qualifications and secure appropriate jobs for these migrants. About 38 percent of skilled migrants are employer-sponsored, which significantly increases the likelihood of qualification recognition and relevant job placement.

The remaining skilled migrants are divided among independent skilled workers (34 percent), state/territory and regional nominated workers (22 percent), and business investment and innovation places (6 percent).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the job market in Australia for migrants is diverse and dynamic. While some sectors like healthcare and social assistance, retail, construction, and manufacturing offer a significant number of employment opportunities, the specific jobs held by migrants can vary based on their qualifications, experience, and the regions they settle in. Understanding this helps both migrants and policy-makers navigate the integration process and ensure the best possible outcomes for all involved.