%0 Journal Article %A Stevens, Christine %D 2017 %T Migration category and labour-force status: policy implications of the performance of refugees %U https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/journal_contribution/Migration_category_and_labour-force_status_policy_implications_of_the_performance_of_refugees/4969238 %R 10.4225/03/590aa4bc1ed60 %2 https://ndownloader.figshare.com/files/8358728 %K Migrants %K Australian social policy %K monash:63838 %K journal article %K Migrants and employment %K 1959.1/480051 %K Languages %K 1039-4788 %K Demography %K Queensland, Australia %K Education %K Refugees %K Ethnic groups %X In 1996 the Australian Bureau of Statistics surveyed 3,078 immigrants who had arrived in Australia after 1970 (and had been aged 18 or more on arrival). Except for some unsponsored (Independent) migrants, and some non-family-reunion sponsored immigrants, all of the respondents aged 25 to 60 had lower labour-force participation rates than the Australian-born. And, except for some New Zealanders and the small group of employer-sponsored immigrants, all respondents aged 25 to 60 had higher unemployment rates. The situation of people who had arrived as refugees or family-sponsored immigrants was particularly difficult; 38 per cent of refugees and 32 per cent of the family-sponsored were dependent on Government pensions. Unemployment declined with length of residence and was lower for people who had arrived with post-school qualifications. Higher degrees, however, do not seem to have helped. This very well-credentialed group experienced higher unemployment than immigrants with no post-school level qualifications. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s %I Monash University