The overall median income of skilled migrants from China in 2016 / 17 was just A $37360. (picture of Sydney Herald Morning Herald)
The median income of permanent skilled immigrants arriving in Australia since January 1, 2000 is only about A $55900, according to the latest 2016 / 17 survey of immigrants` personal income released by Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australia, according to Macro-Business. Net, the latest annual survey of immigrants` personal income in 2016 / 17 shows that permanent skilled immigrants who have arrived in Australia since January 1, 2000 have received a median income of only A $55900 in 2016-17.
The findings were shocking, the website said, given that the immigrants were supposed to be highly qualified and were introduced to Australia to address "skills shortages". Their incomes are so low that Australia is implementing a "low-skilled immigration scheme" that hurts the local workforce.
In addition, if the salary level is classified by immigration nationality, the income of migrants from South Korea and China is at the end of the total number of skilled immigrants who have come to Australia.
As the Bureau of Statistics chart shows, the median employment income of skilled immigrants in South Korea and China was A $40305 and A $45154 respectively in 2016-17, well below the median employment income of A $59304 for all permanent skilled immigrants.
In terms of overall median income, immigrants from South Korea and China also had the lowest income for the year, at A $34530 and A $37360, respectively, well below the overall median income of A $55904 for all permanently skilled migrants.
To make matters worse, these so-called "skilled" immigrants from South Korea and China also earn far less than the median employment income of A $49412 for all Australians. This is shocking, given that the median employment income of Australians has been dragged down by unskilled workers, temporary college students and children, part-time mothers and elders, and so on.
As early as April, economics`s Clayton (Adam Creighton) pointed out that Australia should focus on immigrants who are proficient in English, who are likely to be the most productive and earn the highest annual salary.
It is clear that the above data support Clayton`s point of view. In 2016 / 17, permanent skilled immigrants from Ireland (A $82865), the UK (A $70367) and South Africa (A $65245) were at the top of the median employment income in 2016-17, according to the data.
