Skilled temporary migration from Asia-Pacific countries to Australia

Migration policy in Australia has always emphasized the permanent settlement of skilled migrants. It is only in the last ten years, since the introduction of the temporary business entry (long-stay) 457 visa in 1996, that skilled temporary migration has become an increasingly important element of international migration to Australia. This paper examines the Asia-Pacific region as a source of skilled temporary migration to Australia. This is based on an examination of trend statistics on visa grants and temporary residents by country of origin published by the Department of Immigration. Following this overview, the paper compares skilled temporary migrants from Asia-Pacific countries with those from non-Asia-Pacific countries to investigate whether the Asia-Pacific migrants are selective of particular demographic or human capital characteristics. This analysis is based on data from a survey of 457 visa holders that was conducted by the authors in 2004. The paper also compares the reasons for migration, employment situation and return migration/permanent residence intentions of migrants from Asia-Pacific countries with those of migrants from non-Asia-Pacific countries. The paper concludes with a discussion of the human resource and policy implications of the findings from these analyses for the Asia-Pacific sending countries and for Australia.Siew-Ean Khoo, Graeme Hugo and Peter McDonal

Which skilled temporary migrants become permanent residents and why?

The definitive version may be found at www.wiley.com While most countries of destination of temporary migrants expect them to return home, it is likely that some temporary migration will become permanent if the migrants decide that they would like to remain longer or indefinitely for various reasons. This paper examines the factors associated with temporary migrants' decision to become or not become permanent residents and the reasons for their decision, using survey data on skilled temporary migrants in Australia. It also looks at whether temporary migration facilitates or substitutes for permanent migration and discusses the likely effectiveness of temporary migration programs that assume temporary migrants will return home. Siew-Ean Khoo, Graeme Hugo and Peter McDonal

Immigrant Settlement Outside of Australia's Capital Cities

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.The post-war migration programme has added more than 8 million to the Australian population, but the immigrants have overwhelmingly settled in a few metropolitan areas. At each successive census an increasing proportion of the overseas-born resided in capital cities until 2006 when there was a small reduction. The latter shift, while small, may herald a change in immigrant settlement. In 1996 the settler intake was divided into immigrants who could settle anywhere in Australia and those that were directed to designated areas. Predominant in the latter were non-metropolitan communities. This paper analyses how these policy shifts relating to permanent and temporary migration have created a new flow of immigrants into regional Australia. A number of developments in the Australian Immigration Program are taken in turn, and empirical evidence regarding their scale and impact in nonmetropolitan Australia assessed. Firstly, a number of surveys of State Specific and Regional Migration (SSRM) settlers are analysed and show that while there is a high degree of satisfaction among both immigrants and employers, there are some labour issues. In addition, a significant minority intend to leave their area of initial settlement once they had fulfilled their residential qualification. While refugee-humanitarian settlers are not compelled to settle in particular areas, many are channelled into regional areas. There is often a lack of support services for them in these areas, although some regional communities are mobilising to cancel this out. There are also several elements in Australia's new suite of temporary migration programmes which are funnelling migrants into regional areas. The paper examines student migration, the Working Holiday Maker programme and the Regional 457 long-term business migration programme. Most of these represent totally new elements in regional populations. While it is too early to make definitive judgements about the extent of this trend and its impact, immigration is bringing social and economic change to many non-metropolitan communities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Graeme Hug

Difficulties and coping strategies of Sudanese refugees: A qualitative approach

A qualitative approach was used to interview 23 Sudanese refugees residing in Brisbane, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine the participants' pre-migration, transit and post-migration experiences. Refugees reported traumatic and life-threatening experiences during the pre-migration and transit phases, and difficulties with resettlement during the post-migration phase. Nevertheless, participants reported using a number of coping strategies across all phases, including: reliance on religious beliefs, cognitive strategies such as reframing the situation, relying on their inner resources, and focusing on future wishes and aspirations. Social support also emerged as a salient coping strategy. The findings are useful for mental health professionals as they highlight the difficulties experienced by refugees across phases of migration as well as strategies they use to manage these traumas and stresses