Population Mobility and Labour Markets

Dr. Mike Dockery, Curtin UniversityPrincipal Research Leader

Deirdre Finter, Charles Darwin UniversitySenior Research Officer

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Research Questions• What is the nature of temporary mobility among Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in remote Australia?• Where do they move? How do they get there? How long do they

go for?

• Why do they move?• What are the traditional drivers of mobility?

• What are the non-traditional drivers?

• What barriers are there to mobility?

• How is mobility related to wellbeing and socio-economic outcomes?

• How can services and infrastructure best be provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in remote Australia?

• How can opportunities for remote economic participation be promoted while still accommodating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspirations?

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Methods

• Literature review and stakeholder consultation• Survey of mobility in remote communities:

• Two-stage sampling• Approximately 30 communities

• Sample of individuals/families

within communities

• Community engagement and

consultation• Community audit

• Local input into questionnaire design

• Community researchers trained to carry out surveys

• Participants surveyed quarterly over a one-year period.

• Supplementary analysis of administrative and other data collections

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Project Outcomes• Training and employment of 30 Community researchers

• Evidence base for participating communities for influencing policy and practice

• Development of a computer-based tool for modeling temporary mobility patterns and longer term population shifts in remote Australia

• Applications of data and modeling tool for end users:• Local labour stocks and flows model made available to remote

employers for developing employment plans

• Service delivery models

• 3 PhD Completions:• Contemporary patterns of mobility

• Improving service delivery models for mobile, remote populations

• Development of the modeling tool and its applications.

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Partners• Australian Bureau of Statistics• Central Land Council• Charles Darwin University• Curtin University• FaHCSIA• Northern Territory Government• Tangentyere Council • University of South Australia• Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi• Western Australian Government

Other Stakeholders• NT Shelter• Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku (Western

Desert Dialysis• Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Housing (Fitzroy Valley)

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Progress To Date

• Stakeholder consultations

• Literature review completed• Reviewed and in production stage

• Identification of pilot sites:• Ntaria (Hermannsburg)

• Community engagement undertaken

• Survey instruments under development

• Santa Teresa & Fitzroy Valley

• Initiated community engagement process

• Employment, training of community researchers

• Development of protocols for methodology with Remote Biz

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Contact: Dr Mike Dockery, Principal Research Leader – Population Mobility and Labour Markets

Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation

Email: mike.dockery@nintione.com.au; Phone: +61 8 9266 3468

Thank You for Listening

Partners of Ninti One