Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia: Phase 1

The aim of Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia was to collect information on recently arrived migrants, to measure how they settle in Australia, and to provide reliable data for Commonwealth and other agencies to monitor and evaluate immigration and settlement policies, programs and services. Three waves were collected from the Phase 1 sample; Wave 1 was collected around six months after arrival, Wave 2 a year later and Wave 3 two years later. The Primary, or Principal Applicant (PA) and their Migrating Unit Spouse (MU) were interviewed, and information was collected about other household members (OH) at each wave. Variables for the PA and MU surveys include: attitudes to their former country, and Australia; reasons for immigrating; sources of information about Australia and its States/Territories and why their chose the state they settled in; experience of and attitudes to different sources of information, support and assistance received before and after arrival, in areas including employment, education, accommodation, health and government assistance; education in and attainment of english language; future migration, citizenship and sponsorship plans; and indicators of happiness and satisfaction. Background variables for the PA's and MU's include country and date of birth, gender, marital status, languages spoken, occupation and employment, income and expenses, accomodation, visa and citizenship status. Background variables for the OH's include country and date of birth, gender, marital status, employment, visa and citizenship status, and income.