Immigration and productivity: what Australia’s migrant settlement data reveal
New ABS data reveal substantial differences in employment, education and earnings between Australia's migrant visa categories.
Australia’s immigration debate concentrates heavily on migrant numbers. But if the objective is faster productivity growth, the composition of the immigration programme—and how effectively migrants use their skills—deserves equal attention.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest migrant settlement data, released on 22 September, provide evidence of substantial differences in economic outcomes between visa categories.
In 2023–24, skilled migrants aged 15–64 recorded median total income of $83,466, compared with $58,926 for family migrants and $43,910 for humanitarian migrants.
The employment differences were also considerable. In 2021, 81.8% of working-age skilled migrants were employed, compared with 68.2% of family migrants and 46.0% of humanitarian migrants.
Educational attainment tells a similar story. Almost 80% of skilled migrants held non-school qualifications, compared with 63.1% of family migrants and 36.2% of humanitarian migrants. English proficiency was also highest among skilled migrants, at 96.2%.
| Migrant settlement outcomes | |||
| Australia | Permanent migrants by visa stream | |||
| Indicator | Skilled | Family | Humanitarian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employed | 81.8% | 68.2% | 46.0% |
| Non-school qualification | 79.7% | 63.1% | 36.2% |
| English proficiency | 96.2% | 82.4% | 70.8% |
| Median total income | $83,466 | $58,926 | $43,910 |
| Employment and qualifications: ages 15–64, 2021. English proficiency: all ages, 2021. Median total income: ages 15–64, 2023–24, including government payments. These are descriptive outcomes, not direct productivity measures. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Migrant Settlement Outcomes, 2026. | |||