Advance Survey 2021
The 2021 Advance Survey report has been released and is available to download here.
The report highlights some very interesting data about Australians living and working abroad, and also discusses the talent pool of returning expats who are ready to thrive in the post-pandemic job market. Results also include a group of friends of Australia (partner of an Australian, past or current visa-holder in Australia). They were surveyed in 2021 for the first time, due to the growing awareness that they can strongly influence skilled migration into Australia, and the decisions of overseas Australians. 11% of these respondents are located in Indonesia.
The annual survey – conducted in partnership with global leadership firm Russell Reynolds Associates – found 65 per cent of Australians living overseas are planning to come home, many in the next few years, and they’re looking for their next big gig on Australian soil. From financial services to science and medicine, from philanthropy to the arts, the Australian diaspora spans across every industry, with the largest representation in the Financial and Professional Services sector (26%), followed by IT and Telecommunications (14%), then Education and Academia (12%). With almost a third having lived overseas for more than two decades, this influx of global talent represents significant expertise and senior leadership, ready to help shape Australia’s recovery in a post-covid world.
Other key survey findings include:
- 61% of survey respondents identify as holding senior roles. The proportion is even higher (68%) within the subset of individuals who have already returned to Australia.
- Among those who recently returned to Australia, the top reasons to return are to be near family and friends (25%) and for the lifestyle and quality of life in Australia (19%).
- 42% of individuals who have returned to Australia since March 2020 plan to stay permanently, 31% would like to return overseas sometime in the future, and 15% are planning to go back overseas in the next year.
- Returnees have mostly settled in New South Wales (54%), Victoria (27%), the Australian Capital Territory (8%), Western Australia (8%), and the Northern Territory (3%).
- The majority of returnees had already found a new job in Australia (33%), while 23% are working for their employer overseas. 3% indicated they are still looking for work.
- Expats overseas are interested in continuing their relationship with Australia, by mentoring others wanting to go global (28%), and connecting their global networks with Aussies (18%).
- Despite the challenge of keeping up with Australia’s federal elections when overseas, 37% of respondents said they plan on voting in the upcoming elections.
You can also find a summary and the recording of the launch event for members hosted with Russell Reynolds Associates and the Australian Consul-General to Hong Kong on March 3rd.