Disadvantage, Discrimination and the Occupational Differentiation of Migrant Groups in Australia

There is a substantial debate in the literature regarding the occupational differentiation of migrant groups within their host country's labour market. Are migrants simply disadvantaged because of their educational qualifications, skills, linguistic abilities, and so on, or are they also discriminated against? This paper explores that question using recently obtained data for the 52 largest migrant groups in Australia. It finds clear evidence of disadvantage related to educational qualifications and, particularly, facility with the English language – although these operate differentially for males and females – plus differences that reflect the particular programmes under which recent migrants have entered the country.