Exploring Migrant Health in Australia

Although there has been a large body of research looking at migrant health issues, there is little understanding of migrant health in Australia due to limited research. Australia is among the top migration countries, where about half of the population is a first- or second-generation migrant, and where more than quarter of the labour force consists of migrants. This study adds to our understanding of migrant health in Australia by looking at the health of migrants upon their arrival in the destination and at the change in their health status in the next 6-18 months since migration. The study uses two waves of second Longitudinal Study of Immigrants in Australia, including about 3000 migrants and 1000 of their partners. The preliminary findings show that migrants entering the country on humanitarian visas report disproportionately worse health outcomes than other migrants and their health is more likely to change over time.