Asian Immigrant Settlement and Adjustment in Australia

Asians have been the fastest growing overseas-born population inAustralia, more than doubling from 1981 to 1991. Based on the 1991 Census, this article broadly examines economic and social characteristics of the Asian-born population in Australia. Economic factors such as labor force participation, unemployment, occupation, income and housing reveal a great diversity in the settlement experience of the Asian-born, attributable to the diversity of backgrounds. The speed and success of adjustment by refugees and migrants from business, skill and family migrant streams are assisted by such social factors as English language proficiency.