“I came as a student and lived in the area for one year” “Husband came in 1999 for training”. Formal sources such as recruitment agencies, expositions, government agencies and employers were mentioned as sources by only a few. When asked about their level of knowledge about the regional area in which they had settled, most (88%) indicated that they had known ‘nothing’ or only ‘a little bit’ about the area. Only 11% indicated that they knew ‘quite a lot’. No respondents claimed that they know ‘a lot’ about their regional area prior to settlement. Settlement factors Discussion about the factors that migrants considered important in making their decision to settle in their current location covered over 30 topics. Table 4 shows the top ten factors influencing skilled migrants’ decisions to settle in a regional area. Previous literature on settlement factors for skilled migrants has referred to three elements: employment, family and social connectedness and regional factors. Employment factors clearly played a central role in the settlement decision for many skilled migrants. For many the availability of a job, a better job or a more suitable job for themselves or other family members was the main factor. Representative comments include: “A job was waiting for my husband” “Higher pay than what city offered’ “26 years in mining industry” “Easier to find jobs in the country than in the city” “Easy to get visa. Our company was based there” “In demand jobs here” “Opportunities for part-time work and studies” “They advertised for three years and didn’t get anybody” “Ties in with the type of work I’m working – community development” “My wife has got a job in Mildura” “Partner got a job at the mine”.
In summary, most skilled migrants reported that they enjoyed living in regional communities which they perceived as quiet, friendly, relaxed, safe, easy-going and accepting. For some, links to family and members of their ethnic community living in the region gave a sense of social connectedness. However, a minority expressed concern over poor public and community facilities, and for some their reported experience was one of boredom, lack of friendship and sense of isolation. Experiences - Cost of Living A total of 58 comments were recorded concerning the cost of living in regional areas. Most of these (67%) were comments on the high cost of living in regional areas, and in particular the high cost of housing. Representative comments included: “Rentals are high and so are properties, but this is a mining town, and I suppose that's the way mining towns are” “Initially good, but housing price has been increased dramatically” “… There is shortage in housing but, its overpriced whether car service or supermarkets. Whoever comes has to pay premium for accommodation. People in Perth are shocked. $500 per wk to rent at caravan park. People can't afford to come here” “The rental was the only expensive factor. Finding accommodations were also difficult” “They are off the record, totally ridiculous, $1500 rent a week” “It's quite high, especially with accommodation” “Too expensive, namely rent way too much for nothing” “Very expensive /rent is very high/the price to buy a house is ridiculous”. A number of concerns were also raised concerning the cost of groceries, vegetables, fuel and airfares. In contrast, a smaller group of skilled migrants stated that the cost of living was comparable with or cheaper than other places, both within Australia and their home country: “Cheaper than Melbourne” “Similar to Ipswich” “In general it’s cheaper than the UK”
For other migrants, adaptation to a different climate was part of the settlement process. A total of 24 (31.2%) comments indicating a need to adapt to a different climate were recorded, although most indicated that this had not presented a major difficulty: “Tropical climate to get used to, opposite to England” “Baking hot, unbearable, but getting used to it” “Dramatic difference. Left UK snowing and arrived here 47 degrees. Took a bit to get used to” “Experienced some cyclones in Karratha. We were informed and therefore were prepared for them” “Yes, it takes time to adapt to the tropical weather comparing to England” “Little rain here, very hot as well compared to Ireland where summer never gets over 20 degrees” “A little bit more humid during rainy seasons. Temps are 3 degrees higher. We adjusted nicely. We don't like winter much. For us the climate is not a big issue” “Extremely hot in summer, main problem encountered. You can't have everything everywhere at all times, got to be flexible” “Climate here is very humid in summer. This is the main factor to get used to. No much rain. Winter is similar to South Africa” “There is only one season here--wet and dry, very different from Argentina. I have got used to this tropical climate and I reckon this is a good climate to raise a family (not too cold and not too hot)” “Massive difference from Ireland/I've lived in the south of France so I'm used to the heat” “It took 6-12 months to get acclimatized. Had to reduce my workload, my work pace, allow more to rest and have to protect my sleep patterns (especially in the wet season). All these are due to the harsh, dusty and dry environment”.
“Targeted the wrong people - backpackers - not skilled Also this is easier to do offshore”. Regarding advertising on the internet, employers’ views were mixed. Some had experienced success, but some reservations were expressed: “A lot depends on the motives of individuals who apply for the job - hard to screen applicants” “Very hard to interview over the internet - I prefer face to face”. “A lot of people just don't look into the Internet. You need to know the company's website to get the information”. There were also mixed views concerning the effectiveness of word of mouth: “Only targets a small and biased proportion of the labour market - it can work but you must be lucky” “We succeeded in getting the company the appropriately skilled people required” “Employees not always as good as we expected” “Essentially more trust worthy/ reliable than web sites or media”. A number of employers had used recruitment and migration agencies and once again they had mixed views about this as a strategy. Advantages mentioned included their specialist skills, networks, language skills and knowledge of immigration regulations. Expense and lack of knowledge of suitable agencies were seen as the main disadvantages. Comments included: “Assist employers in selection and recruitment - help with advertising - they have local knowledge” “The one we used treated workers poorly, (took much of their money) plus poor flow of information to us the clients” “Some are very good - top quality - Other agencies are terrible and send unsolicited recruits” “Because they save us a lot of time. They can find the right person for the positions” “No time to do it ourselves - they are professional”
Mildura (Vic) 3 20 Mt Isa (Qld) 6 40 Karratha (WA) 3 20 Total 15 100 Perceptions of local employment market Government employers were asked to briefly comment on regional labour market conditions, especially skilled labour shortages. Government officials indicated that there were labour shortages and opportunities for skilled migrants in regional areas across a wide range of fields including hospitality, health, tourism, trades, education and engineering. Perceptions of skilled regional migration program Officials generally agreed that encouraging skilled migration was an appropriate means of addressing regional skills shortages alongside other initiatives such as training and apprenticeships for Australians. Most agreed that the Skilled Migration Program was an important means of addressing regional skills shortages. Comments included: “Yes it is effective. It can be otherwise difficult to recruit people to the central Australian bush” “It is one of the strategies used, but only one of several that are required” “Yes - when migrants have the skills, qualifications and language required of them” “Mixed feelings - apprenticeships/training for Australian workers would be a better option” “Yes, however, have only done this a little and have had only limited success” “To ensure employers get people who are unavailable in Australia. Migrants should not be seen as cheap labour” “Important to sustain viable local communities and the country as a whole, as resource rich areas provide wealth for the whole country and need many skilled workers” “A lot of industries would not be able to operate without overseas labour” “Important - but needs a lot of resources and time to be successful”.