Alfred Michael Dockery | Curtin University, Perth (original) (raw)

Talks by Alfred Michael Dockery

Research paper thumbnail of Fly-in fly-out families’ experience of mental health and relationship problems during pregnancy

There is evidence that working non-standard hours can impact on health and developmental outcomes... more There is evidence that working non-standard hours can impact on health and developmental outcomes for the workers themselves and their families. In Western Australia it is relatively common for men to work away from home for extended periods of time in the mining industry. These fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers are thought to be especially vulnerable to psychological disturbances and relationship problems that affect themselves and their families. This study uses data from a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study to examine mental health and relationship adjustment in FIFO and non-FIFO men and their partners during pregnancy. It is of interest to know if FIFO men or their partners tend to report higher rates of: mental health difficulties (stress, anxiety or depression); couple or family relationship difficulties; and job dissatisfaction.
The Peel Child Health Study (www.peelchildhealthstudy.com.au) recruited 450 women at 18-weeks in pregnancy and follow-ups were completed at 26 weeks and 34 weeks of pregnancy and at the birth of the child. A total of 289 couples completed questionnaires administered at the time of recruitment, which included 70 men that identified as working away from home (FIFO) as part of their job.
Pregnancy is a time of heightened risk of social and emotional health difficulties for men and women, however this period of vulnerability has received little attention in FIFO literature. This study seeks to inform industry and workforce policy makers of the potential risks and challenges of the FIFO lifestyle. It is anticipated that the results will inform employers as well as those who provide support services and build a better understanding of potential strengths or vulnerabilities for FIFO families.

Papers by Alfred Michael Dockery

Research paper thumbnail of Australian Indigenous Peoples: Culture and Well-Being

Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Terrorism, Tourism, Wellbeing and Sense of Security: The Case of Australia

Crisis Management in the Tourism Industry, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Skills shortages in the Australian rail industry

Research paper thumbnail of Do traditional culture and identity promote the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians? Evidence from the 2008 NATSISS

Survey Analysis for Indigenous Policy in Australia: Social Sciences Perspectives

Research paper thumbnail of Secondary students’ access to careers information: the role of socio-economic background

The Australian Educational Researcher, 2021

This paper focusses on how careers advice provided to Australian secondary school students varies... more This paper focusses on how careers advice provided to Australian secondary school students varies according to students’ socio-economic background. National data for students in Years 11 and 12 from five cohorts of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth initiated between 1998 and 2015 are analysed. Students from higher socio-economic backgrounds are found to be more likely to access multiple forms of careers information, particularly information relating to university entrance, compared to students from low-SES backgrounds. Conversely, students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to receive information on pathways to non-professional vocations. This socioeconomic divide has become more pronounced over time. Importantly, access to nonprofessional careers information appears to have declined over time, while there is evidence to suggest this form of advice is more highly valued by students of low-socioeconomic background relative to those of high-socioeconomic ...

Research paper thumbnail of Culture and wellbeing: The case of Indigenous Australians

Research paper thumbnail of When two worlds collude: Working from home and family functioning

International Labour Review

Whether or not working from home or ‘telecommuting’ helps workers to balance work and family comm... more Whether or not working from home or ‘telecommuting’ helps workers to balance work and family commitments, as opposed to providing an avenue for work to intrude on family life remains a contentious issue. On balance it seems the flexibility to work some hours from home is a positive for workers. This was confirmed for a representative sample of Australian employees drawn from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA) from 2001 to 2011, but with the reservation that working from home was associated with longer working hours and hence had the potential to exacerbate work-to-family conflict. A limitation of that study and much of the existing literature is that measures of work-family conflict have been based on subjective assessments by the workers themselves, who may be unlikely to reflect negatively on their own choice of work arrangements. In contrast, this study analyses the effect of employees working from home on their spouses’ and children’s assessments of family functioning in Australia using HILDA data from 2001-2013. Some evidence is found that working from home contributes to better relationships and a more equitable division of household responsibilities for couples with children.Limited evidence of negative externalities on other family members is observed, namely women whose employee-partners work a substantial number of hours from home are less satisfied with the division of tasks within the home. The findings therefore contribute to the weight of evidence that working from home is conducive to families achieving a better work-life balance.

Research paper thumbnail of The implications of loss of a partner for older private renters

is an independent, non-political body which has supported this project as part of its programme o... more is an independent, non-political body which has supported this project as part of its programme of research into housing and urban development, which it hopes will be of value to policy-makers, researchers, industry and communities. The opinions in this publication reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of AHURI Ltd, its Board or its funding organisations. No responsibility is accepted by AHURI Ltd or its Board or its funders for the accuracy or omission of any statement, opinion, advice or information in this publication.

Research paper thumbnail of Is ignorance bliss? Exploring the links between education, expectations and happiness

Research paper thumbnail of After the Siren: The Community Benefits of Indigenous Participation in Australian Rules Football

Research paper thumbnail of Parental expectations for young people’s participation in higher education in Australia

Studies in Higher Education

ABSTRACT This paper examines factors affecting parental expectations of higher education prospect... more ABSTRACT This paper examines factors affecting parental expectations of higher education prospects for their children using Australian household survey data. We find that a variety of factors influence parental expectations, of which parents’ assessment of their children’s academic performance is the strongest. Factors known to impact upon actual higher education participation, such as parental education and remoteness, are already evident in parental expectations, but with limited evidence of expectations being shaped by financial constraints. We also find evidence of a ‘same gender’ effect, with mothers exhibiting higher expectations for higher education for their daughters. This may be in part due to significantly lower expectations held by fathers with sub-bachelor qualifications. These factors contribute to higher expectations overall for girls entering university. The research points to the importance of interventions commencing in early childhood, and accounting for key household background characteristics when designing, implementing and evaluating programmes for widening participation in higher education.

Research paper thumbnail of Over-Education, Under-Education and Credentialism in the Australian Labour Market. NCVER Monograph Series 10/2012

We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they ar... more We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they are likely to earn. Recent responses from Australian governments to the demands for economic growth will see an increase in the proportion of workers holding educational qualifications, particularly higher-level qualifications. There is always a concern that there will not be enough jobs that require the proportionate level of education, and that the increase in those with higher-level qualifications will lead to credentialism rather than to a more skilled workforce. Using data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, Dockery and Miller examine the issue of credentialism by comparing the reference or required level of education for occupations and the actual education level held by an individual. They employ the 'ORU' model, where O refers to over-education (having more years of education than is required for the job); R refers to the reference or required level of education for a particular job; and U refers to under-education (having fewer years of education relative to the reference level). The credentialism dimension is captured by looking at whether the level of over-education is greater among younger cohorts and the extent to which there is a wage penalty attached to this 'over-education'.

Research paper thumbnail of Welfare Locks, Housing Stability and Tenant Exits from Public Housing

Abstract: This paper utilises the administrative records of a state housing authority to explore ... more Abstract: This paper utilises the administrative records of a state housing authority to explore welfare locks, the work incentive effects of income related rents and welfare dependence in relation to public housing. We find that welfare locks while prospective tenants are on wait turn lists are large, and this is particularly evident among males where employment rates are impacted by as much as 12 percentage points. On the other hand, we cannot detect significant effects from income related rents on employment status. Finally, we find that spells in public housing are typically longer for priority cases and those receiving high levels of housing assistance, but shorter for employed tenants with relatively high earnings. Once a tenant has been resident for between 18 and 20 months, duration dependence sets in; this means that departure form public housing becomes progressively less likely and once residence reaches between 6 and 7 years, there is virtually no likelihood of departure.

Research paper thumbnail of Far Removed: An Insight into the Labour Markets of Remote Communities in Central Australia

Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 2016

There are ongoing debates about the livelihoods of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australi... more There are ongoing debates about the livelihoods of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living in remote communities, and the role for policy in addressing socioeconomic equity and the economic viability of those communities. The characteristics and dynamics of remote labour markets are important parameters in many of these debates. However, remote economic development discourses are often conducted with limited access to empirical evidence of the actual functioning of labour markets in remote communities – evidence that is likely to have important implications for the efficacy of policy alternatives. Unique survey data collected from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in 21 remote communities in central Australia for the Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation’s Population Mobility and Labour Markets project are used to examine these labour markets, with a focus on the role of education and training. Examining access to education, emplo...

Research paper thumbnail of Straight to Work or a Traineeship: A Comparison of Two Pathways

Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 2005

This paper presents a simple theoretical model of the Australian Traineeship System and goes on t... more This paper presents a simple theoretical model of the Australian Traineeship System and goes on to evaluate the early career outcomes of young persons who take up a traineeship shortly after leaving school. The trainees are compared to other school leavers who do not undertake any further education or training after leaving school. Using eight indicators of outcomes, it is found that doing a traineeship does not lead to a marked improvement in outcomes although trainees have a stronger commitment to their chosen career and express greater satisfaction with their jobs than young persons who go straight to work.

Research paper thumbnail of Happiness, Life Satisfaction and the Role of Work: Evidence from Two Australian Surveys

This paper investigates factors that influence Australians' self-reported levels of happiness... more This paper investigates factors that influence Australians' self-reported levels of happiness and life satisfaction with an emphasis on the role of labour market experience. The analysis is based on data from two surveys. The first, the 1995 Year 9 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), tracks a sample of young Australians in each year from Year 9 secondary school to age 19. The second is Wave 1 of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA). Ordered probit models are fitted to individuals' ratings of how happy they are with their lives as a whole (LSAY) and their life satisfaction (HILDA). There is some evidence of declining levels of happiness with duration of unemployment. However, the results illustrate the importance the quality of working life, rather than just having a job, and some evidence on the influence of various job attributes on wellbeing is presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Life on the Minimum Wage in Australia: An Empirical Investigation

Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 2010

From 2006 to 2009, Federal minimum wages in Australia were set by the Australian Fair Pay Commiss... more From 2006 to 2009, Federal minimum wages in Australia were set by the Australian Fair Pay Commission. This paper uses data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey to investigate the circumstances of persons who are paid at or near the minimum wage, and thus potentially affected by the wage determinations. Net disposable incomes for actual and potential minimum wage workers are modelled in and out of work to investigate the implications of the wage determinations on work incentives. In addition, a range of measures of socioeconomic status and wellbeing are inspected. Comparisons are made with selected groups of non-employed persons and those with higher earnings to highlight the potential costs and benefits for affected individuals, and hence the potential trade-offs faced in setting minimum wages if we accept that increases in minimum wages reduce employment opportunities.

Research paper thumbnail of Finding a Place to Call Home: Immigration in Australia

What are the key issues and challenges relating to immigration in Australia? Where do immigrants ... more What are the key issues and challenges relating to immigration in Australia? Where do immigrants come from, where do they settle, and what types of jobs do they do? How do migrants affect the wages? To what extent do we see skills mismatch among migrants entering our workforce? Does discrimination and bias remain an issue in our society? Are we doing enough to support the forced immigrants to Australia? This seventh report in BCEC’s Focus on the States Series seeks to provide insights into these questions and many more. We explore the profile and evolution of immigration in Australia over recent years, and undertake a comprehensive assessment of the contributions immigrants make to Australia’s social and economic development. The report provides new evidence to better inform the debates on the labour market impact of immigrants and highlights the positive impact of immigrants on Australian economy. It also explores the extent of acceptance of multiculturalism in Australia and provid...

Research paper thumbnail of Over-Education, Under-Education and Credentialism in the Australian Labour Market. NCVER Monograph Series 10/2012

National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 2012

We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they ar... more We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they are likely to earn. Recent responses from Australian governments to the demands for economic growth will see an increase in the proportion of workers holding educational qualifications, particularly higher-level qualifications. There is always a concern that there will not be enough jobs that require the proportionate level of education, and that the increase in those with higher-level qualifications will lead to credentialism rather than to a more skilled workforce. Using data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, Dockery and Miller examine the issue of credentialism by comparing the reference or required level of education for occupations and the actual education level held by an individual. They employ the 'ORU' model, where O refers to over-education (having more years of education than is required for the job); R refers to the reference or required level of education for a particular job; and U refers to under-education (having fewer years of education relative to the reference level). The credentialism dimension is captured by looking at whether the level of over-education is greater among younger cohorts and the extent to which there is a wage penalty attached to this 'over-education'.

Research paper thumbnail of Fly-in fly-out families’ experience of mental health and relationship problems during pregnancy

There is evidence that working non-standard hours can impact on health and developmental outcomes... more There is evidence that working non-standard hours can impact on health and developmental outcomes for the workers themselves and their families. In Western Australia it is relatively common for men to work away from home for extended periods of time in the mining industry. These fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers are thought to be especially vulnerable to psychological disturbances and relationship problems that affect themselves and their families. This study uses data from a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study to examine mental health and relationship adjustment in FIFO and non-FIFO men and their partners during pregnancy. It is of interest to know if FIFO men or their partners tend to report higher rates of: mental health difficulties (stress, anxiety or depression); couple or family relationship difficulties; and job dissatisfaction.
The Peel Child Health Study (www.peelchildhealthstudy.com.au) recruited 450 women at 18-weeks in pregnancy and follow-ups were completed at 26 weeks and 34 weeks of pregnancy and at the birth of the child. A total of 289 couples completed questionnaires administered at the time of recruitment, which included 70 men that identified as working away from home (FIFO) as part of their job.
Pregnancy is a time of heightened risk of social and emotional health difficulties for men and women, however this period of vulnerability has received little attention in FIFO literature. This study seeks to inform industry and workforce policy makers of the potential risks and challenges of the FIFO lifestyle. It is anticipated that the results will inform employers as well as those who provide support services and build a better understanding of potential strengths or vulnerabilities for FIFO families.

Research paper thumbnail of Australian Indigenous Peoples: Culture and Well-Being

Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Terrorism, Tourism, Wellbeing and Sense of Security: The Case of Australia

Crisis Management in the Tourism Industry, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Skills shortages in the Australian rail industry

Research paper thumbnail of Do traditional culture and identity promote the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians? Evidence from the 2008 NATSISS

Survey Analysis for Indigenous Policy in Australia: Social Sciences Perspectives

Research paper thumbnail of Secondary students’ access to careers information: the role of socio-economic background

The Australian Educational Researcher, 2021

This paper focusses on how careers advice provided to Australian secondary school students varies... more This paper focusses on how careers advice provided to Australian secondary school students varies according to students’ socio-economic background. National data for students in Years 11 and 12 from five cohorts of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth initiated between 1998 and 2015 are analysed. Students from higher socio-economic backgrounds are found to be more likely to access multiple forms of careers information, particularly information relating to university entrance, compared to students from low-SES backgrounds. Conversely, students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to receive information on pathways to non-professional vocations. This socioeconomic divide has become more pronounced over time. Importantly, access to nonprofessional careers information appears to have declined over time, while there is evidence to suggest this form of advice is more highly valued by students of low-socioeconomic background relative to those of high-socioeconomic ...

Research paper thumbnail of Culture and wellbeing: The case of Indigenous Australians

Research paper thumbnail of When two worlds collude: Working from home and family functioning

International Labour Review

Whether or not working from home or ‘telecommuting’ helps workers to balance work and family comm... more Whether or not working from home or ‘telecommuting’ helps workers to balance work and family commitments, as opposed to providing an avenue for work to intrude on family life remains a contentious issue. On balance it seems the flexibility to work some hours from home is a positive for workers. This was confirmed for a representative sample of Australian employees drawn from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA) from 2001 to 2011, but with the reservation that working from home was associated with longer working hours and hence had the potential to exacerbate work-to-family conflict. A limitation of that study and much of the existing literature is that measures of work-family conflict have been based on subjective assessments by the workers themselves, who may be unlikely to reflect negatively on their own choice of work arrangements. In contrast, this study analyses the effect of employees working from home on their spouses’ and children’s assessments of family functioning in Australia using HILDA data from 2001-2013. Some evidence is found that working from home contributes to better relationships and a more equitable division of household responsibilities for couples with children.Limited evidence of negative externalities on other family members is observed, namely women whose employee-partners work a substantial number of hours from home are less satisfied with the division of tasks within the home. The findings therefore contribute to the weight of evidence that working from home is conducive to families achieving a better work-life balance.

Research paper thumbnail of The implications of loss of a partner for older private renters

is an independent, non-political body which has supported this project as part of its programme o... more is an independent, non-political body which has supported this project as part of its programme of research into housing and urban development, which it hopes will be of value to policy-makers, researchers, industry and communities. The opinions in this publication reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of AHURI Ltd, its Board or its funding organisations. No responsibility is accepted by AHURI Ltd or its Board or its funders for the accuracy or omission of any statement, opinion, advice or information in this publication.

Research paper thumbnail of Is ignorance bliss? Exploring the links between education, expectations and happiness

Research paper thumbnail of After the Siren: The Community Benefits of Indigenous Participation in Australian Rules Football

Research paper thumbnail of Parental expectations for young people’s participation in higher education in Australia

Studies in Higher Education

ABSTRACT This paper examines factors affecting parental expectations of higher education prospect... more ABSTRACT This paper examines factors affecting parental expectations of higher education prospects for their children using Australian household survey data. We find that a variety of factors influence parental expectations, of which parents’ assessment of their children’s academic performance is the strongest. Factors known to impact upon actual higher education participation, such as parental education and remoteness, are already evident in parental expectations, but with limited evidence of expectations being shaped by financial constraints. We also find evidence of a ‘same gender’ effect, with mothers exhibiting higher expectations for higher education for their daughters. This may be in part due to significantly lower expectations held by fathers with sub-bachelor qualifications. These factors contribute to higher expectations overall for girls entering university. The research points to the importance of interventions commencing in early childhood, and accounting for key household background characteristics when designing, implementing and evaluating programmes for widening participation in higher education.

Research paper thumbnail of Over-Education, Under-Education and Credentialism in the Australian Labour Market. NCVER Monograph Series 10/2012

We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they ar... more We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they are likely to earn. Recent responses from Australian governments to the demands for economic growth will see an increase in the proportion of workers holding educational qualifications, particularly higher-level qualifications. There is always a concern that there will not be enough jobs that require the proportionate level of education, and that the increase in those with higher-level qualifications will lead to credentialism rather than to a more skilled workforce. Using data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, Dockery and Miller examine the issue of credentialism by comparing the reference or required level of education for occupations and the actual education level held by an individual. They employ the 'ORU' model, where O refers to over-education (having more years of education than is required for the job); R refers to the reference or required level of education for a particular job; and U refers to under-education (having fewer years of education relative to the reference level). The credentialism dimension is captured by looking at whether the level of over-education is greater among younger cohorts and the extent to which there is a wage penalty attached to this 'over-education'.

Research paper thumbnail of Welfare Locks, Housing Stability and Tenant Exits from Public Housing

Abstract: This paper utilises the administrative records of a state housing authority to explore ... more Abstract: This paper utilises the administrative records of a state housing authority to explore welfare locks, the work incentive effects of income related rents and welfare dependence in relation to public housing. We find that welfare locks while prospective tenants are on wait turn lists are large, and this is particularly evident among males where employment rates are impacted by as much as 12 percentage points. On the other hand, we cannot detect significant effects from income related rents on employment status. Finally, we find that spells in public housing are typically longer for priority cases and those receiving high levels of housing assistance, but shorter for employed tenants with relatively high earnings. Once a tenant has been resident for between 18 and 20 months, duration dependence sets in; this means that departure form public housing becomes progressively less likely and once residence reaches between 6 and 7 years, there is virtually no likelihood of departure.

Research paper thumbnail of Far Removed: An Insight into the Labour Markets of Remote Communities in Central Australia

Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 2016

There are ongoing debates about the livelihoods of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australi... more There are ongoing debates about the livelihoods of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living in remote communities, and the role for policy in addressing socioeconomic equity and the economic viability of those communities. The characteristics and dynamics of remote labour markets are important parameters in many of these debates. However, remote economic development discourses are often conducted with limited access to empirical evidence of the actual functioning of labour markets in remote communities – evidence that is likely to have important implications for the efficacy of policy alternatives. Unique survey data collected from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in 21 remote communities in central Australia for the Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation’s Population Mobility and Labour Markets project are used to examine these labour markets, with a focus on the role of education and training. Examining access to education, emplo...

Research paper thumbnail of Straight to Work or a Traineeship: A Comparison of Two Pathways

Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 2005

This paper presents a simple theoretical model of the Australian Traineeship System and goes on t... more This paper presents a simple theoretical model of the Australian Traineeship System and goes on to evaluate the early career outcomes of young persons who take up a traineeship shortly after leaving school. The trainees are compared to other school leavers who do not undertake any further education or training after leaving school. Using eight indicators of outcomes, it is found that doing a traineeship does not lead to a marked improvement in outcomes although trainees have a stronger commitment to their chosen career and express greater satisfaction with their jobs than young persons who go straight to work.

Research paper thumbnail of Happiness, Life Satisfaction and the Role of Work: Evidence from Two Australian Surveys

This paper investigates factors that influence Australians' self-reported levels of happiness... more This paper investigates factors that influence Australians' self-reported levels of happiness and life satisfaction with an emphasis on the role of labour market experience. The analysis is based on data from two surveys. The first, the 1995 Year 9 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), tracks a sample of young Australians in each year from Year 9 secondary school to age 19. The second is Wave 1 of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA). Ordered probit models are fitted to individuals' ratings of how happy they are with their lives as a whole (LSAY) and their life satisfaction (HILDA). There is some evidence of declining levels of happiness with duration of unemployment. However, the results illustrate the importance the quality of working life, rather than just having a job, and some evidence on the influence of various job attributes on wellbeing is presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Life on the Minimum Wage in Australia: An Empirical Investigation

Australian Journal of Labour Economics, 2010

From 2006 to 2009, Federal minimum wages in Australia were set by the Australian Fair Pay Commiss... more From 2006 to 2009, Federal minimum wages in Australia were set by the Australian Fair Pay Commission. This paper uses data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey to investigate the circumstances of persons who are paid at or near the minimum wage, and thus potentially affected by the wage determinations. Net disposable incomes for actual and potential minimum wage workers are modelled in and out of work to investigate the implications of the wage determinations on work incentives. In addition, a range of measures of socioeconomic status and wellbeing are inspected. Comparisons are made with selected groups of non-employed persons and those with higher earnings to highlight the potential costs and benefits for affected individuals, and hence the potential trade-offs faced in setting minimum wages if we accept that increases in minimum wages reduce employment opportunities.

Research paper thumbnail of Finding a Place to Call Home: Immigration in Australia

What are the key issues and challenges relating to immigration in Australia? Where do immigrants ... more What are the key issues and challenges relating to immigration in Australia? Where do immigrants come from, where do they settle, and what types of jobs do they do? How do migrants affect the wages? To what extent do we see skills mismatch among migrants entering our workforce? Does discrimination and bias remain an issue in our society? Are we doing enough to support the forced immigrants to Australia? This seventh report in BCEC’s Focus on the States Series seeks to provide insights into these questions and many more. We explore the profile and evolution of immigration in Australia over recent years, and undertake a comprehensive assessment of the contributions immigrants make to Australia’s social and economic development. The report provides new evidence to better inform the debates on the labour market impact of immigrants and highlights the positive impact of immigrants on Australian economy. It also explores the extent of acceptance of multiculturalism in Australia and provid...

Research paper thumbnail of Over-Education, Under-Education and Credentialism in the Australian Labour Market. NCVER Monograph Series 10/2012

National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 2012

We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they ar... more We know that, in general, the more years of education individuals acquire, the more money they are likely to earn. Recent responses from Australian governments to the demands for economic growth will see an increase in the proportion of workers holding educational qualifications, particularly higher-level qualifications. There is always a concern that there will not be enough jobs that require the proportionate level of education, and that the increase in those with higher-level qualifications will lead to credentialism rather than to a more skilled workforce. Using data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, Dockery and Miller examine the issue of credentialism by comparing the reference or required level of education for occupations and the actual education level held by an individual. They employ the 'ORU' model, where O refers to over-education (having more years of education than is required for the job); R refers to the reference or required level of education for a particular job; and U refers to under-education (having fewer years of education relative to the reference level). The credentialism dimension is captured by looking at whether the level of over-education is greater among younger cohorts and the extent to which there is a wage penalty attached to this 'over-education'.

Research paper thumbnail of The relationship between public housing wait lists, public housing tenure and labour market outcomes

This report provides an important contribution to our understanding of the relationship between p... more This report provides an important contribution to our understanding of the relationship between public housing participation and employment outcomes in Australia. It has been made possible through the availability of a unique dataset. The state Department of Housing and Works (DHW) manages public housing programs in Western Australia through their public housing agency. For the purpose of this project, DHW extracted a confidentialised data set from its administrative records of all people who entered the wait list for public housing from January 1999 onwards, including records on their subsequent public housing tenancies until November 2005. The wide array of socio-demographic and income variables in the data allows the construction of income and employment profiles from the date of first appearance on wait lists, through entry into public housing to the most current recorded income and employment situation.