A study conducted by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has found that skilled migrants to Australia who are unable to find jobs that utilize their education and qualifications are substantially more likely to suffer from mental health issues after three and a half years.

 

Led by Associate Professor Alison Reid, the study found that skilled migrants often take jobs well below their capabilities due to the cost of migration, and often end up stuck in the role for a number of years.

 

"Often those jobs include cleaning, waiting in restaurants, labouring, working in factories or driving taxis - even if they were university educated or have other skills,” Associate Professor Reid said.

 

"It takes a while to get skills recognised, but if people are still in those jobs after a period of time, that's when mental health problems such as anxiety disorders can affect them."

 

The study used a questionnaire which asked questions of migrants after six months, 18 months and three and half years. There was no significant difference in mental health during the first two periods, but if people had been unable to find a job which used their qualifications by three and half years there was a decline in their wellbeing.

 

"Skilled migrants are selected for immigration based on criteria such as age, language ability, qualifications and work experience because they are expected to fill gaps in the labour force," Associate Professor Reid said.

 

"However this study has shown that there is a large under-utilisation of skills among migrant workers to Australia up to three and a half years post migration," she said.

 

"Since the mid-1990s Australia's immigration program has focused on encouraging skilled migration. What is needed now are support programs such as employment training, mentoring and supervision if after one year of arrival in Australia they are unsuccessful in obtaining employment in their field."

 

The study shows evidence that skilled migrants are more likely than Australian-born workers to work in jobs for which they're over-qualified.