In Australia, immigrants significantly contribute to various industries, with a notable presence in agriculture, hospitality, healthcare, and information technology.
## Agriculture
Agriculture is a key sector where migrants play a crucial role, particularly in seasonal and low-skilled jobs. Specific statistics highlight the reliance on migrant labor:
- **Mushroom pickers**: Over 91% of these workers are migrants. - **Vegetable pickers**: 84% are migrants. - **Fruit or nut pickers**: 79% are migrants. - **Poultry process workers**: 72% are migrants. - **Meat packers**: 70% are migrants[1].
Despite the high percentage of migrant workers in these roles, the overall share of migrants in the agriculture sector is relatively low at 21%, as many farm owners and managers are Australian-born. For instance, only 5% of mixed crop and livestock farmers are migrants, while poultry farmers have a higher share at 32%[1].
The agricultural workforce also includes a significant number of **backpackers**, who are often young travelers on working holiday visas. Approximately 40,000 backpackers work on Australian farms each year, filling critical roles during harvest seasons[2][4].
## Hospitality
The hospitality industry is another major employer of migrants, particularly temporary visa holders, including international students. This sector often relies on these workers to fill less-skilled jobs at lower wages[3].
## Healthcare
In the healthcare sector, migrants make up a substantial portion of the workforce, especially in aged care. As Australia’s population ages, the demand for healthcare workers is expected to grow, and migrants currently represent a significant part of this workforce[1].
## Information Technology
The IT sector also employs many migrants, particularly skilled workers who contribute to filling high-demand roles. This sector benefits from the influx of educated migrants who often bring specialized skills necessary for technological advancement[3].
Overall, immigrants are integral to the Australian workforce across various industries, particularly in roles that are seasonal, low-skilled, or in high-demand sectors like healthcare and technology.
Citations: [1] https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/work/2023/02/11/which-jobs-rely-the-most-on-migrant-workers [2] https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5882&context=sspapers [3] https://grattan.edu.au/report/migrants-in-the-australian-workforce/ [4] https://www.ilo.org/media/428766/download [5] https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/agricultural-workforce/labour-use/2022 [6] https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/do...alian-labour-market-migrants-january-2024/pdf [7] https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/do...tralian-labour-market-migrants-april-2023/pdf [8] https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/files/20044708/1000007902_published_report.pdf
