The steady progress of Non-English-Speaking migrant women’s labour market participation in Australia

Abstract This study deals with the labour force participation of Non-English-Speaking migrant women and draws a comparison with that of Australian-born women, using the 2016 Australian Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF) Microdata based on a 1% sample from the Australian 2016 Census. A general probit model is used to estimate the probability of labour market participation of both groups, as well as for each of the groups separately, attributable to various factors. The results suggest that the participation rate of Non-English-Speaking migrant women (58.9%) is increasing over time, but is still much lower than for Australian-born women (69.5%), with the gap narrowing over time. Further, it also shows a reduced chance of participation in the labour market when they are old, married, and have children. However, Non-English-Speaking migrant women are more likely to participate than Australian-born women when they are old, married, and have children due to economic needs. Providing excellent English, education, recognition of overseas qualifications and experiences together with easy access to childcare might help Non-English-Speaking migrant women to further increase their chance of participation in the Australian labour market.