Australia

Australia’s immigration system has evolved to place emphasis on employer-sponsored, demand driven migration developed through broad consultations and programs with a wide range of stakeholders. A cornerstone of its migration program is labour market assessment (through the use of independent and accredited bodies with specialized knowledge of particular occupations), as well as consultations with the industry and the wider public through blogs, discussion papers and surveys.

www.sendmoneyasia.org has been created through the Australian Governments' led initiative 'Reducing the Cost of Remittances to Asia'. The project has been developed and managed by the project partner, Developing Markets Associates Ltd (DMA).

The website provides important information on the many choices migrants living in Australia have when sending money back to their families and friends in China, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

www.sendmoneypacific.org has been created through the joint Australian and New Zealand Governments' led initiative 'Reducing the Cost of Remittances to the Pacific'. The project has been developed and managed by the project partner, Developing Markets Associates Ltd (DMA)

The CSAM measures the labour market integration of recently arrived migrants in the Skill and Family Streams. Findings from this survey help us to inform the size and composition of Australia's Migration Programme.

Migrants taking part in the CSAM are surveyed on two occasions to capture changes in their labour market status. This provides reliable insights into the migrant integration process, and the extent of underemployment against the backdrop of a changing labour market.

Multicultural Access and Equity Policy, 'Respecting diversity. Improving responsiveness', is about ensuring that all Australians receive equitable access to government services regardless of their cultural or linguistic background. The approach aims to maximise the benefits to Australia of its culturally and linguistically diverse society through addressing barriers to effective participation in Australia’s social and economic life.

All people working in Australia, including foreign workers, are entitled to basic rights and protections in the workplace. Workplace laws in Australia generally apply equally to all workers employed in Australia. Employers engaging foreign workers must ensure they comply with Australian workplace laws. These laws, including the payment of minimum rates of pay and conditions under awards and agreements, are enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

With almost half of its total resident population either born in a foreign country or the child of such a person, Australia is one of the world’s quintessential immigration countries.

The Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417) is a temporary visa for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year. It is a temporary visa that encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between Australia and eligible countries. 

It fills critical jobs during harvesting and picking seasons and provides a large and mobile workforce that helps meet seasonal demand for agricultural workers. They also provide labour for jobs for which natives are hard to find in rural and remote areas. 

Australia’s whole-of-Government Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery includes specialist police officers; a victim support program; visa arrangements to enable suspected victims and witnesses to remain in Australia; specialist immigration officers posted in Thailand, China and the Philippines, who aim to prevent human trafficking in source countries; and capacity building activities in the region to deter human trafficking and slavery, train law enforcement officials, and assist victims under Australia’s overseas aid program.