Skilled Temporary Migration from Asia-Pacific Countries to Australia Siew-Ean Khoo, ANU Graeme Hugo, University of Adelaide Peter McDonald, ANU

Outline of presentation Asia-Pacific region as a source of skilled temporary migration to Australia Characteristics of skilled temporary migrants from Asia-Pacific countries Reasons for coming to work in Australia Employment situation Return migration/residence intentions Conclusions

457 visa grants,

Top ten source countries of 457 visa holders (visa grants) Jun-Dec 2006 UK 23%UK 26% UK 22% USA 10%India 10%India 13% India 8%USA 6%S. Africa 8% S. Africa 7%S. Africa 6%Philippines 8% Japan 6%Japan 4%China 6% China 4%Ireland 4%USA 5% Canada 3%China 4%Germany 3% Ireland 3%Germany 3%Japan 3% Indonesia 3%Canada 3% Canada 2% France 2%Philippines 2%Ireland 2% N=35,006N= 49,855 N=40,610

Asia-Pacific 457 visa holders temporarily resident in Australia,

Stock of Asia-Pacific 457 visa holders by country of origin Country Change India % Sri Lanka % Pakistan na na 239 na Total S. Asia % China % Hong Kong % Japan % Korea % Taiwan % Total E. Asia %

Stock of Asia-Pacific 457 visa holders by country of origin Country Change Indonesia % Malaysia % Philippines % Singapore % Thailand % Viet Nam 42 na % Total SE. Asia % Fiji % PNG 27 na % Other 4 na % Total Pacific %

Destination by State/Territory of Asia-Pacific 457 visa grants, June-Dec 2006 State/ India Philippines China Japan Korea Malaysia Territory % % % % % % NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas <1 1 <1 NT ACT <1

Survey of 457 visa holders N=1175 skilled temporary migrants Fairly representative in terms of gender composition (67% male), State/Territory of residence (47% in Sydney, 15% in regional areas) and industry of employment (19% in IT). 348 from Asia-Pacific countries (30% of total sample – similar to percentage based on all 457 visa holders resident in Australia. Good representation from non-English-speaking countries in A-P region (86 from Japan, 43 from Korea, 31 from China, 21 from Thailand).

Survey respondents from Asia-Pacific countries compared with stock of 457 visa holders by country of birth, June 2005 No. % % stock Indonesia Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Viet Nam SE Asia Fiji PNG Total Pacific No. % % stock China Hong Kong Japan Korea Taiwan NE Asia India Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan S. Asia

Skilled temporary migrants from Asia-Pacific compared with those from other regions

Percentage female by country of origin

Skilled temporary migrants from Asia-Pacific compared with those from other regions

Reasons for coming to work in Australia

Asia-Pacific skilled temporary migrants’ reasons for coming to Australia, by country of origin

Asia-Pacific migrants’ industry of employment

Employment situation of Asia-Pacific temporary migrants compared with migrants from other regions

Residence intentions of migrants from Asia-Pacific and other regions

Reasons for applying for permanent residence

Reasons for not applying for permanent residence in Australia

Asia-Pacific skilled temporary migrants’ views about their experience in Australia Asia-Pacific Other regions Increase goodwill between home country & Aust. (p<0.10) A lot 74%54% Somewhat 22%32% No 4%14% Increase business connections (p<0.10) A lot 67%52% Somewhat 25%32% No 8%16% Overall satisfaction (p<0.10) Very satisfied 51%68% Satisfied 44%29% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 5% 2% Dissatisfied 0% 1%

Conclusions Recent increase in the numbers and percentages of 457 visa holders from the Philippines, India, China and the Pacific Islands suggests that the Asia-Pacific region is likely to play a more important role in the coming years as a source of skilled temporary migration to Australia. Employers (in regional areas) may sponsor more intermediate skilled workers who are more likely to be sourced from the Asia- Pacific region. Asian businesses are important players in sponsoring workers from the same country of origin, suggesting the role of migrant/ethnic networks. Many Asia-Pacific skilled temporary migrants are working for small businesses rather than large transnational companies. They are more likely to be attracted to Australia because of better employment opportunities and higher salaries; more likely to come with intention to apply for permanent residence.