How are skilled migrants doing?

Skill shortages have prompted the Australian government to double the skilled migration program since 2001-02. This article examines the employment outcomes for all skilled migrants who arrived in Australia between 2001 and 2006. Those from Main English Speaking Countries (MESC) are successfully finding professional or managerial jobs consistent with their qualifications. However, only a minority of those from non-English speaking countries (NESC) have achieved a similar outcome. This is a serious matter because the majority of Australia's skilled migrants are being drawn from NESC birthplaces. The most rapidly growing component of this NESC group, former overseas students who have studied in Australia, are having the least success in finding professional employment. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s