Figure 1 . Net overseas migration in Australia – historial ( a )( b )
Overseas Arrivals have been linked to economic activity for many years in Australia , note the correlation to National events . Source : Australian Bureau of Statistics , Overseas Migration 2021-22 financial year
Figure 2 . Number and percentage of works in Australia born overseas by industry , 2021
2,000,000 1,800,000 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000
0
Financial and Insurance Services Administrative and Support …
Transport , Postal and Warehousing
Source : Australian Bureau of Statistics , Census of Population and Housing 2021
OVERSEAS WORKERS BY INDUSTRY The proportion of foreign-born workers in different industries illustrates the varying levels of demand for workers . It highlights sectors that may require more specialised skills or expertise , or lower costs , than those available among domestic workforces .
According to recent census data , the proportion of foreign-born workers in
Education and Training
Professional , Scientific and … Health Care and Social Assistance
Accommodation and Food Services Manufacturing
Information Media and … Wholesale Trade Rental , Hiring and Real Estate …
Other Services Electricity , Gas , Water and Waste …
Retail Trade
Total Number of Workers Born Overseas
“ White Collar ” sectors , such as Finance , Administration , and Professional Services , is relatively high . In 2021 , ABS found that around 40 % of workers in the Finance and Insurance industry , Administration and Support Services , and Professional Services were born overseas .
On the other hand , primary production industries , such as Agriculture and Mining , showed lower percentages and numbers
Mining Construction
Public Administration and Safety Arts and Recreation Services Agriculture , Forestry and Fishing
% of Industry Born Overseas
45 % 40 % 35 % 30 % 25 % 20 % 15 % 10 % 5 % 0 %
of foreign-born workers . This was likely due , in part , to the impact of COVID-19 , which led many unskilled workers to return to their home countries . For example , in 2020 , the Australian horticulture industry lost up to 26,000 seasonal workers due to travel restrictions and border closures . This left these sectors struggling to find labour , which in turn had a significant impact on the economy .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 16 NO 1 2023 11