Other issues arise in the clustering of immigrants around the major urban areas, thus pulling to much from the grid, taxing the already marginalized system, and allowing an unprescedented demand in new housing. Experts acknolwedge that this increased level of housing needs cause even short-term visias to now be suspect in contributed to the gridlock. Additionally one of the conundrums that support a change in policy focuses on the type of immigrant coming in. Totally unskilled workers demotivate the cohort population, increase the referencesand resources need, and contribute to the "Cinderella" nature of views on the host country. One research report also indicated that there are thousands upon thousands of Russian workers who lack skills that settle in the urban areas, and other data that shows a significant decrease in the number of unskilled workers who cannot find jobs, therefore relying on the system -- already spread quite thin (ABC News, 2009).
Methodology -- There are a number of social issues surrounding the migrant population in Australia; job search, employment, housing, cultural integration, access to services, educational opportunities, and the economic outcomes of Skilled Program migrants. For the purposes of this study, however, we will focus on a segment of the immigrant population, the Skilled Worker Set, and review their expectations, experiences, and results of employment and economic outcomes.
Primary research on this topic was divided into two parts: Part 1 was a focus group of 8 individuals and designed to establish a basal relationship between questions that were pertinent to their immigrant experience. Part 2 was a written survey of 10 questions (See Appendix) and submitted to 50 individuals chosen from random sections of 5 City Guides, prequalified, but based on ethnicity of surname (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, and Perth). Questions were divided into 3 parts: a) Demographics, b) Immigrant Experience, c) Attitudinal Issues. Based on study time and complexity, cross-tabulation was generalized by demographic and experience, not by city of residence or country of origin. Research was conducted over a 21 day period; Day 1 was the Focus Group, Day 4 the Questionnaires mailed, Day 17 a reminder call if needed. 80 Questionnaires were sent out in return-postage paid envelopes; the first 50 that arrived were used in the study.
Results -- While the populations studied were random, the percentile studied vs. The immigrant population was, of course, quite low. Still, much of the research confirmed previous findings about the immigrant population and the means to acculturate into Australian society, as well as the reasons for immigrating in the first place. A summary of the research findings shows that:
Demographics:
Gender
Male
62%
Female
38%
Age
21-35
22%
36-54
48%
55-69
18%
>70
12%
Education
HS
22%
Trade
38%
30%
Post-Bac
10%
Area of Origin
South Pacific
36%
Asia (E)
32%
Middle East & Africa
8%
Europe
6%
The Americas
18%
The population of incoming immigrants is primarily male, so it is not surprising that our study population was the same. Similarly, it is more likely that immigrants in the working years (70%) were more interested in contributing to this study. 78% had education beyond Secondary school; and almost all surveyed came from Oceana, the South Pacific, or East Asia (68%). What is surprising about this is that the invitations were specifically designed not to favor these areas; instead, it suggests that this is the population that is most willing to share their experiences and participate in research they believed may result in social change.
Acculturation
Years in country
1-2
26%
3-5
38%
5-10
5%
>10
14%
Spoken Language
English
34%
Native
14%
Combo
50%
Although a relatively weak measure of acculturation, we inferred that the longer one was in-country, the more acculturation potential. Other dynamics would have been helpful (spouse's ethnicity, community, etc.). However, 57% of those immigrating to Australia either speak only English at home or a combination of English and their native language (84%) -- presumably because they have extended family members who are not yet fluent in English or they wish to keep their linguistic culture alive for their children.
Professional Issues
Current Job
Unskilled
16%
Professional
36%
Skilled
24%
Unemployed
12%
Retired
12%
Income (monthly)
< $2,000
16%
$2,001-3,000
38%
$3,001-4,000
22%
>$4,000
24%
Job Satisfaction
Low
12%
Medium
44%
High
20%
Desperate
12%
N/A
12%
Satisfaction w/level of social acceptance
Low
18%
Medium
60%
High
22%
We would expect most immigrants to be skilled in some sort of profession to be accepted within the immigration quota (72%) and if one includes skilled retirees, the percentage is 84%. Similarly, the data suggests that most of the immigrant population are hard workers, most with mid-range incomes and not needing social services for monetary reasons. 64% are either seriously looking or casually looking for another position, while 12% are desperate for work because they are unemployed (downsizing, work economy). Finally, almost ae of those surveyed felt that the social acceptance in most areas is medium or better. This, however, could be based on our surveys being primarily distributed to urban, rather than rural populations. Urban populations, as we know, tend to be more liberal and accepting of change and diversity.
Further:
Most immigrants are from Asian and Ocean countries; coming to Australia for educational and economic reasons.
Most found the immigration process tedious and bureaucratic -- with the...
Our research question dealt with job satisfaction and acculturation issues, which tend not to be the most serious issues in the social fabric. (You should expand this).
Conclusions and Further Research -- Needs expanded
Outline:
1. What are the mitigating factors that provide job satisfaction?
2. What are the mitigating factors that provide social or cultural satisfaction?
3. Is there
correlation between a particular ethnicity, education, and/or income level to satisfaction?
4. More
definition on immigration process and its effects.
5. What is the native language still spoken at home?
6. Is there a correlation between year of arrival (economic conditions) and satisfaction?
7. Expand the
literature review.
Appendix A -- Immigrant Statistics
Appendix A -- Population By Country of Birth and Regional Grouping
Birthplace
Percentile
Estimated Number ('000)
English Speaking Countries
44.3
Non-English Speaking Countries
55.7
Africa
3.3
Egypt
.9
30.6
South Africa
1.1
37.1
North America
3.6
Canada
.6
20.4
United States
1.3
42.4
Asia
14.9
China
1.2
37.5
Hong Kong
.9
28.3
India
1.5
47.8
Lebanon
1.7
56.3
Malaysia
1.5
47.8
Philippines
1.0
33.7
Sri Lanka
.7
23.6
Vietnam
2.6
83.0
Europe & Middle East
69.9
Appendix B -- Focus Group Questions and Results
1. Describe general experiences when you first immigrated to Australia?
2. Were public servants helpful, neutral, or unhelpful? Why?
3. What were your primary reasons for immigrating?
4. How easy was the immigration process?
5. How easy was it to find a job?
6. Do you think immigration quotas are fair? Why or why not?
7. How satisfied have you been with your life in Australia thus far?
8. Did you family immigrate with you or arrive later?
9. What are the most important issues for you as an immigrant?
10. If you could change one thing about the immigration process, what would it be?
1. Generally, issues surround bureaucracy and lack of
communication about what forms were necessary where and when. General experience (over 70%) seemed to be positive, most finding Civil Servants to be kind and helpful.
2. See above, most indicated once in country things were better; but phone or email prior to arriving fraught with difficulty.
3. Almost all -- better life, better opportunities for education -- from North American immigrants,
job opportunities for their particular expertise.
4. With only one exception and that was someone recruited by a large company, they found the process scary, intimidating, and likely due to initial language barriers, confusing.
5. Most families arrived later, some single individuals married or partnered while in Australia, making a new family unit here. Most said it was too expensive to move a family here without first having a good job.
6. Most of the immigrants interviewed want to be self-sufficient and are not looking for a free handout. They emphasize that they want to work, want to be a part of Australian society, want to pay "their taxes," but also want to be able to utilize the system's resources if they are paying into them.
7. Streamline the wait -- many said that even when the paperwork was completed, it was months before they could get any information. This process was streamlined, though, for some students.
Appendix C -- Questionnaire and Results
1. Male or Female
2. Age Range
a. 21-35
b. 36-54
c. 55-69
d. > 70
3. Level of Education
a. HS or equivalent
b. Trade school or journeyman
c. College
d. Advanced Degree
4. Overall area of Origin
a. Oceana, South Pacific
b. East Asia
c. Middle East, Africa
d. Europe
e. South or
Central America
f. North America
5. Years in Australia
a. 1-2
b. 3-5
c. 5-10
d. >10
6. Spoken language at home
a. English
b. Native
c. Combination
7. Current Job
a. Unskilled Labor
b. Professional (Doctor, Lawyer,
Teacher, etc.)
c. Skilled Labor
d. Unemployed
e. Retired
8. Income level (monthly)
a. Under $2,000 AU/month
b. $2,001-3,000 AU/month
c. $3,001-4,000 AU/month
d. > $4,000 AU/month
9. Level of current job satisfaction
a. Low, looking diligently
b. Medium, looking
c. High, not looking
d. Unemployed, desperately looking
e. Not Looking (retired disabled, etc.)
10. Satisfaction with
treatment by majority of
Australians
a. Low, problems abound
b. Medium, some problems, but generally good
c. High, very few problems
Demographics
1
M
F
31
19
2
21-35
36-54
55-69
>70
11
24
9
6
3
HS
Trade
Advanced
11
19
15
5
4
Spac
Asia
ME, Af
Eur
S/C Am
N Am
18
16
4
3
2
7
Acculturation Level
5
1 to 2
3 to 5
5 to 10
Over 10
13
19
10
7
6
Nat
Combo
17
7
25
Professional
7
UL
Pro
SL
UN
Ret
8
18
12
6
6
8
4
8
19
11
12
9
Low
Med
High
UN
NL
6
22
10
6
6
10
Low
Med
High
9
30
11
REFERENCES
Cenus of Population and Housing Characteristics. (2002, June 17). Retrieved August 2010, from Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/
[email protected]/ProductsbyTopic/1EA78AFE3DE2EDCACA256BDA0073EB53?OpenDocument
300,000 Skilled Workers Needed. (2008, May 17). Retrieved September 2010, from Adelaide Now: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/
[email protected]/Products/295BCEA8A2132BECCA25776E0017733C?opendocument
Australia Today. (2008, June). Retrieved September 2010, from Department of Immigration and Citizenship: http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/multicultural/agenda/agenda89/australi.htm
Year Book Australia. (2009, June). Retrieved September…
