The main reasons for settling in the ACT are similar to the reasons for migrating to other parts of Australia. The major incentives were family, political and social reasons. Migrants were likely to be satisfied with their life in Australia with over 90%
saying they were satisfied or very satisfied with their life here. However, principal applicants are more likely to be content than their spouses on the same visa.112
Unlike many other Australian cities, Canberra does not have clusters of migrants speaking other languages concentrated in particular suburbs. This reflects the integrated social composition of Canberra which is a relatively homogenous city both socially and demographically, especially in comparison to other Australian cities.
recruitment of Chinese to study in Australia and partly because the Chinese government lifted their migration restrictions. Figure 4 provides an indication of the growing proportion of Chinese migrants to Canberra as a percentage of all migrants during the 1990s. As of 2001, there were 2,045 Chinese born persons living in the ACT and 7,515 with some Chinese ancestry.113 Overall, 2.5 % of the Canberra population reports having Chinese ancestry of whom:
• 69.5% were born overseas;
• 23.5% had one or both parents born overseas; and
• 6.9% had both parents born in Australia.
During the year 1999-00 Chinese arrivals accounted for 9.5% of the 800 new arrivals to Canberra.114 This is the largest NESB group amongst new arrivals.
Of the overseas-born persons with Chinese ancestry, only 40% were born in China; a large proportion was born in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam or Singapore.115 Given the different migration histories and diverse birth places of this cultural group, it is possible that the Chinese community may be quite segmented.
Figure 4. Chinese-born as a proportion of total arrivals to the ACT, 1946 – 2001.
Source: ACT Government (2003). A Social and Demographic Profile of Multicultural Canberra.
The average age of Chinese residents in Canberra is 41.2 years compared to the average age of the Australia born population in Canberra of 31.5 years.116 The two peaks in age profile of Canberra’s Chinese population (Figure 5) suggest that many Chinese migrants who arrived during the 1990s came as family units with children who are now in their teenage years.
113 ibid.
114 ibid.
115 ibid.
116 ibid.
Figure 5. Age profile of persons born in China, ACT 2001.
Source: ACT Government (2003). A Social and Demographic Profile of Multicultural Canberra.
The six suburbs with the largest populations of Chinese speakers are all in the northern suburbs of Canberra, particularly the Gungahlin area which accounts for three of the six (Palmerston, Ngunnawal and Nicholls). Of further interest is the concentration of Chinese residents in Bruce and Acton. These suburbs are populated by large numbers of overseas students who live on campus or adjacent to the respective universities. Of the NESB population in the suburb of Acton (where ANU is located), 36.3% are Chinese. A similar pattern is evident in Bruce (site of the University of Canberra) where 20.4% of NESB persons are Chinese.
The six suburbs with highest numbers of Chinese residents are in order:
1. Palmerston 2. Ngunnawal 3. Acton 4. Kaleen 5. Bruce 6. Nicholls
The largest group of international students in the ACT come from China. The 2001 ACT Gambling Survey found that male students were one of the largest groups with problems related to casino table games.
The income profile of the Chinese ancestry population in Canberra (Figure 6) is characterised by a relatively high number of persons in the top income quintile but also with strong representation in the lowest two quintiles. There are relatively fewer persons in the middle to upper income groups than is evident in the ACT overall.
Those persons in the lower quintiles may be a reflection of the student population.
Figure 6. Income profile for persons with Chinese ancestry, ACT 2001.
Source: ACT Government (2003). A Social and Demographic Profile of Multicultural Canberra.
Many Chinese immigrants to Canberra have been forced to begin at the bottom of the employment ladder due to lack of English language skills and recognition of their qualifications. This also seems to influence the unemployment rate which is high at 8%. The industries in which Chinese are concentrated indicate that their employment patterns differ from the rest of Canberra. In terms of industrial concentration, the Chinese community shows a significantly higher concentration in jobs related to restaurants and cafés. For example, the suburb of Dickson has a high concentration of Asian restaurants in its Chinatown area.
In the traditional Chinese society, the family is referred to as a ‘corporate unit’.117 It is based on a strict hierarchy of age and gender, beginning with the father at the top followed by the oldest son and the grandson. In traditional Chinese families, to be an effective procreative and economic unit, the family needs clear direction from the senior male. The responsibilities of the father are to manage the family resources (business), spiritual affairs and personal affairs. The place of women depends on the relationship with her husband within the family structure. Female duties revolve around the household, including managing the finances. Child rearing practices differ in traditional Chinese families from Australian norms. Chinese custom is to emphasise and construct close bonds within the family while the Australian tradition is to develop children’s independence.
Chinese is the most commonly spoken language other than English in the ACT.
However, 24.2% of the Chinese community in Canberra consider themselves not to be fluent in English. Low English proficiency is more common in younger age groups up to the age of 30 and more so for women than men. 83.8% of the overseas-born Chinese maintain their native language, compared with only 47.6 % of the second generation.