Economic migration and Australia in the 21st century
Wright, Chris F; Clibborn, Stephen; Piper, Nicola; Cini, Nicole | October 2016
Abstract
This Analysis assesses the benefits and challenges of contemporary economic immigration in Australia. While the policy arrangements underpinning economic immigration have undergone significant changes in recent decades, Australian governments have managed this transition successfully. Increased intakes of skilled immigrants have assisted structural transitions in Australia’s economy, delivered tangible benefits in addressing challenges related to population, and produced positive effects in relation to fiscal impact, productivity, and immigrants’ employment and labour market outcomes.
Notwithstanding these benefits, significant challenges have emerged in relation to temporary visa schemes, in particular: the lack of workplace protection and the need for greater social assistance for temporary migrant workers; the misalignment of skilled immigration regulations with the needs of the labour market; and skills underutilisation and gender bias in skills assessment. The Analysis makes policy recommendations to help address issues of mistreatment and underpayment of temporary migrant workers, ensure that the allocation of temporary skilled visas reflects genuine skills shortages, address problems of gender inequity, and ensure that policy settings remain responsive to future workforce needs. These policy adjustments are necessary for maintaining public confidence in expansive economic immigration arrangements that are important for sustaining national prosperity.
Citation
Wright, Chris F; Clibborn, Stephen; Piper, Nicola; Cini, Nicole. 2016. Economic migration and Australia in the 21st century. © Lowy Institute For International Policy. http://hdl.handle.net/11540/6737. License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.Keywords
Comparative Analysis
Social Research
Sex Discrimination
Employment Discrimination
Women's Rights
Equal Opportunity
Equal Pay
Feminism
Men's Role
Women's Role
Development Economics
Economic Analysis
Economic Impact
Socioeconomic Development
Socioeconomic Indicators
Gender
Gender Bias
Gender Differences
Gender Discrimination
Gender Equality
Gender Gaps
Gender Inequality
Gender Issues
Gender Relations
Gender Roles
Econometric analysis
Economic implications
Economies in transition
Economic integration
Growth potential
Gross national product
Economic discrimination
Socioeconomic surveys
Gender-based analysis
Sex differences
Job bias
Equal employment opportunity
Fair employment practice
Job discrimination
Affirmative action programs
Sex dicrimination against women
Pay equity
Sexism
Equal rights amendment
Emancipation of women
Equal rights
Women's movements
Feminist economics
Labor economics
Women in economic development
Women in development
Wage survey
Cost and standard of living
Human capital
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