Australia's Migrant Wait Times Push New Arrivals into Poverty, Says New Report

New research by ACOSS and UNSW Sydney reveals that thousands of newly arrived migrants in Australia face significant poverty risks due to waiting periods for income support, particularly affecting those on humanitarian, family, and student visas. This policy leaves many vulnerable during their crucial first years of settlement, despite Australia's overall successful migration program.

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New research from the ACOSS and UNSW Sydney Poverty and Inequality Partnership indicates that while Australia's migration program is broadly successful, certain newly arrived migrants are disproportionately affected by poverty. The study, titled 'The first 10 years: Employment, income and poverty among migrants and refugees in Australia,' found alarming rates of poverty among individuals holding humanitarian, family, and student visas.

A primary contributor to this hardship is the 'Newly Arrived Migrants Waiting Period,' which bars new permanent residents from accessing most income support for up to four years. Dr. Yuvisthi Naidoo from UNSW's Social Policy Research Centre explains that this affects many who have already worked and paid taxes on temporary visas before gaining permanent residency. This policy creates a significant vulnerability, particularly for families trying to establish themselves.

The report details the extent of the issue: around 60% of people entering Australia on humanitarian visas experience poverty in their first year, with two-thirds of refugee children living on less than $500 a week. For women on family visas aged 25 to 44, a third are not in the labor force, significantly higher than the national average, making them particularly susceptible to financial strain.

This situation holds concrete implications for Filipino migrants in Australia, who are a significant part of both the skilled and family visa categories. While skilled migrants generally fare better, those on family or student visas could face similar financial challenges and difficulties in accessing a social safety net during their initial years. Australia is recognized as a major migrant nation, with a high proportion of its population either born overseas or having at least one overseas-born parent, as noted by the Parliament of Australia. Ensuring equitable support for all migrants is crucial for their successful integration and contribution.

ACOSS CEO Dr. Cassandra Goldie emphasized that these current policy settings force too many individuals into unimaginable hardships. ACOSS is advocating for the reduction of existing income support waiting periods and for increased financial and employment support for refugees to reduce the risk of poverty. Such changes would provide a basic safety net, helping families, including Filipino migrants, to settle more quickly and contribute robustly to their new communities.