The health of Australian migrants working in health sectors: findings from the 2021 Australian Census

Abstract Aim Migrant healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential to Australia’s health system, comprising over 40% of the workforce. However, there is no comprehensive national overview of their sociodemographic characteristics and comparisons with non-migrant HCWs. This study aims to describe and compare the sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions of both migrant and non-migrant HCWs in Australia, stratified by gender and profession. Subject and methods A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative analysis was conducted using de-identified secondary data from the 2021 Australian Census. Migrant HCWs were defined as individuals who were born outside of Australia and were primarily employed in healthcare sectors in Australia. Data were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) TableBuilder and stratified by gender (male and female) and by occupation (allied health professionals, medical practitioners, nurses and midwives). Variables assessed included age, income, housing suitability, English proficiency, level of engagement and long-term health conditions. Results Of 592,635 HCWs in Australia in 2021, 40.2% were migrants. Migrant HCWs were more likely than non-migrant HCWs to report ‘no long-term health conditions’. Mental health conditions were most prevalent among allied health professionals and specialist medical practitioners, whereas physical long-term conditions were most common within general practitioners. These variations reflect the effects of Australia’s migration and workforce policies, and potential cultural and occupational barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion Migrant HCWs display differences in sociodemographic and health characteristics compared to non-migrant HCWs. Further advanced statistical analysis and qualitative research into their lived experiences may help inform workforce strategies and promote migrant health equity.