Based on a survey of over 5,000 international students in 2019, the International Students and Wage Theft in Australia report reveals that, despite commitments to improve conditions, the overwhelming majority of international students are still subject to wage theft and poor employment conditions.
Key findings include:
● 77% were paid below the minimum casual hourly wage.
● 32% of Bachelor’s degree students earned just half the minimum casual hourly wage or less ($12/hr or less).
● 26% of all international students earned half the minimum casual hourly wage or less — a figure unchanged since the 2016 National Temporary Migrant Work Survey.
● The overwhelming majority of students who were underpaid knew the minimum wage (86%), but 62% believed they were at fault for the underpayment and had broken the law by accepting below minimum wages.
The report recommends improved labour enforcement and visa protections for international students, as well as improved service provision to address exploitation. Funded by StudyNSW, the Information for Impact Survey was conducted in April and May 2019, and yielded 5,064 valid responses.
New Temporary Migrant COVID Impact Survey
MWJI is now conducting a survey about the wellbeing of temporary migrants in Australia during COVID, to document challenges temporary visa-holders have faced in relation to work, housing, health and safety and discrimination.
Please share the survey widely among international students, backpackers, refugees and others on temporary visas to ensure we capture as many voices as possible in this landmark study. Survey closes on 20 July 2020.
Photo by Madalyn Cox on Unsplash