Email correspondence from July 25, 2010

Social Issues Surrounding Migrants in Australia

The immigrant population of Australia has grown rapidly over the past decade, more so than since the huge growth spurt following World War II. With this influx, numerous cultural and social issues arise. Despite the tax on the system, Australia takes its liberal immigration policy very seriously, allowing for about 150,000 new individuals per annum. Preference, of course, is given to those who already have employment in the country, or students who are able to pass the English language tests.

The Australian government, in fact, is so concerned about this new population segment, particularly in light of the global economic crisis in which resources are thinned out, that in 2006 a new Ministerial Department was created specifically to track immigrant issues, to advise the government, and to provide a link between the immigrant community and the Australian bureaucracy.

One primary question, though, focuses on the level of both cultural/social and job satisfaction the immigrant population enjoys. To determine this, two studies were carried out; one qualitative focus group study designed to hone in on major immigrant issues, and a quantitative survey based on information received during the focus group. Data from both show that immigrants generally experience a high-level of both job and social satisfaction. Only 12% are unemployed or unhappy; and most are well-educated and hold jobs that allow them to be in the middle income range. Further research is necessary in order to provide more robust and longitudinal perspective, as well as more information that explains just what it is that contributes to overall satisfaction within the immigrant community.

Introduction- The Commonwealth of Australia is one of the most highly developed countries in the Southern Hemisphere. European settlement began in the early 17th century, and Australia's eastern half was claimed by Great Britain in 1770 and settled through the infamous penal transportation to New South Wales. This population grew rapidly and established Crown Colonies throughout the 1800s until finally, on January 1, 1901, the Commonwealth was formed. Australia is the world's 13th largest economy and ranks at the top of the list in many comparisons of national performance such as quality of education, health care development, quality of life, economic freedom, civil and political rights, and even life expectancy (Australia - World Democracy Profile, 2010).

Australia has been a country of immigrants, and rapid migration is part of the social fabric of the country. For instance, overall, the level of migration has grown steadily since the 1990s; increasing from 30,042 in 1992-93 to 177,.6000 in 2006-07, the highest level ever recorded. This has changed the population dynamics of the country since the total immigration now dramatically exceeds the external, driving the population to just over 22 million (Year Book Australia, 2009).

Australia takes immigration very seriously, and plans about 150,000 new people into the system per annum. This budgeting and strategic planning is necessary due to Humanitarian and Social programs. Recent migration, though, has exceed any numbers since World War II, sometimes taxing the current social welfare and services systems (Iggulden, 2008). From a socio-economic point-of-view, though, issues with the local and world economy have forced the government to reduce immigration quotas. For instance, in March 2009, there was a 14% cut in the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program in response to declining economic conditions and even by November 2009, specific skills in health and social welfare segments are still considered understaffed (Bowen, 2009; 300,000 Skilled Workers Needed, 2008).

Migration has, in fact, become such an important issue to Australians that in 2006 a special unit was formed, the National Migration Statistic Unit. Specifically the role of this unit is to:

maintain a dialogue with stakeholders on emerging issues, data gaps and needs develop statistical surveys related to migrants and ethnicity provide statistical leadership and coordination in migrant and ethnicity statistics develop statistical standards and analytical concepts advance migrant and ethnicity issues within the ABS

facilitate client requests for data on migrants and ethnicity (Statistical Information on Migrants, 2010).

Who are the migrants, though, and from where do they originate? Australia, like Canada and the United States, are young nations in comparison to those from Europe and Asia. Since the middle of the 20th century, Australia has employed a rather liberal immigration program, which has caused a considerable shift in the ethnic composition of society. The first wave of immigrants came directly after World War II from Northern Europe and the Baltic countries, followed by Central and Southern Europe, and in recent times from the Middle East, Asia, and South America. Over the past four decades, immigration into Australia accounted for almost 1/2 of the total population. These early immigrants, though, have now been in the country long enough to have grandchildren who are listed as Native Born, a critical distinction when viewing statistical data (Australia Today, 2008).

This, of course, plays a critical role in both acculturation (most of the 2nd and 3rd generation are consider themselves to be Australian, rather than Greek, etc.), and social services and budgetary concerns. Because a number of these immigrants have been in the country for over 50 years, any social program for which they might quality is not part of the immigration experience.

Roughly 79% of Australia's current population is now Australian born, with the caveat that many are 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants. Table 1 represents the population by birthplace and Figure 2 graphs by region (See Appendix A). This clearly shows the diversity and wide-spread geographical base for Australia's immigrant population.

Literature Review- Australia, because of its history of openness, a relatively robust economy, and a policy of inclusion, has in many ways been a beacon for immigration since the end of World War II. There was a decided and dramatic shift in the number of immigrants allowed after the war, mitigated only when it began to tax the social welfare system (Castles, 1998). Within this paradigm, though, immigration does have both a positive and negative side. Despite inclusionary policies, and a rather liberal immigration quota, there are issues surrounding the racism of globalization. Too, one of the rather inexplicable issues is the inclusion of migrants from other countries juxtaposed with the issues of aboriginal prejudice and lack of adequate funding to make that portion of the population truly equal -- despite the fact that they were the original inhabitants of the continent (Vasta and Castles, 1996). In 1972, for instance, the Whitlam government purported that it was time to reassess all of Australia's attitudes and policies with the goal being far more inclusive to all immigrants and minorities. "Our thinking is towards a more independent Australian stance in international affairs and towards an Australia which will be less militarily oriented and not open to suggestions of racism; and Australia which will enjoy a growing standard as a distinctive, tolerant, co-operative and well-regarded nation not only in the Asian and Pacific Region but in the world at large" (Hawkins, 1991, 96).

As with any country, there are enviromental, economic, and social impacts when dealing with the subject of immigration. As might be expected there is really no consesus abut immigrant quotas; caps from certain nations, or intellectual ability. The real issues, despite the liberal and progressive nature of the government, is that the aged continue to rise despite high proportional mmigration off-setting aging and declining birth raters. In fact, one view, from the UK-based Optimum Population Trust, believes that Australia is already overpopulated, and that in order to maintain the current standard of living the optimum population is about 10 million feweer than the current population. Failure to adequately manage this may result in a reduced standard of living, and Austrlian no longer being able to compete in the globalization process as a prime parter (CSIRO Sustainable Ecoomics, 2006).

Critics of the immigration openness, as well as environmental scholars, believe that continued immigration will cause a higher consumption of domesti products, increased green house gas emission, and overuse of agricultural soils, too much unrestricted use of marine fisheries and domestic supplies of oil and gas, a significant decline in urban air quality, rive quality and biodiversity (Ibid., and Optimum Population Trust, 2008). In fact, because of the aridity of the climate in much of Australia, overpopulation could cause more severe droughts with not enough water to sustain some of its coastal cities. One study cites that for each 70,000 new immigrants an addition 20 million tons of greenhouse gases will be relased into the atmosphere by 2010, and an additional 30 million tons by 2020m, when including the non-combantant and combatant fields (Optimum Population Trust). By no means is this an accepted facto, however, since a study in the joirnal Nature found that immigration does not result in global warming. This is due to the fact that taken as a global organism, simply displacing people from one areato another may result in a net gain for Austalia, but also means a net loss for another area -- so that net migration may affect one singular unit, it does not, however, provide enough robust data to make broad, global, environmental statements (Byravan and Rajan, 2005).

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 exception of students or those who were recruited for larger corporations in high-demand fields.

Most knew they would be tested in English, so prepared prior to immigrating -- for many this was a challenge.

The bureaucratic process is frustrating more because of the time involved than anything else.

Discussion- Conclusions/Future Research- Our data does not suggest too much new, or out of the ordinary, rather it buttresses previous research done on the immigrant population. 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.