The future demand for caregivers for the elderly and the current workforce in New Zealand
The future demand for caregivers for the elderly and the current workforce in New Zealand Juthika Badkar & Paul Callister Institute of Policy Studies
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The future demand for caregivers for the elderly and the current workforce in New Zealand Juthika Badkar & Paul Callister Institute of Policy Studies
The future supply of caregivers for the elderly: Should Australia and New Zealand look to the Pacific? Canberra, 18 November 2009
In NZ median age early 1950s - 71 years 2006 - 74 years
Purpose To examine the current supply of paid caregivers and to project the future demand for paid caregivers To examine the growing reliance on migrant caregivers, where they come from, current source countries and potential source in the future. To examine how existing models of migration in NZ can be adapted to enable low skill caregiver migration.
Key Findings Demographic based projections suggest the number of Paid Caregivers needs to treble over the next 30 years Migrant caregivers make up a quarter of the caregiver workforce in NZ – up from a fifth 15 years ago
Happy 90th Birthday Nana!
85+ increase from 57,000 in 2006 to 322,000 in 2051
Older disabled Aged 85+ 18,800 in 2006 increase to 66,800 in 2036
87% live at home NZ has a policy of ‘ageing in place’
Current supply of paid caregivers in New Zealand Who are they? How many are there? Where are they from?
Who are they? 92% of caregivers are women 70+ 65-69 60-64
Where are they from? 75% are NZ born growing reliance on migrant caregivers, especially over the last 5 years
percent
Work permits issued to caregivers
Source: Department of Labour – Immigration data
Why should we look to the Pacific?
percent
Overseas born: Employed as caregivers
Source: Statistics New Zealand
percent
Pacific born make up a third of migrant caregiver workforce
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Almost two-thirds were born in Fiji or Samoa Pacific source country Fiji
n
%
862
33
Samoa
860
31
Tonga
552
20
Other Pacific Islands
441
16
Total Pacific Islands
2712
100
Source: 2006 Statistics Census New -Zealand Statistics New Zealand
NZ born Pacific People are less likely to be caregivers Ethnicity
NZ born
Overseas born
European
76%
45%
Maori
19%
0%
Pacific People
2%
25%
Asian
0%
26%
Source: 2006 Statistics Census New -Zealand Statistics New Zealand
Examples of Low skill migration in NZ Chinese migrants to work in Otago goldfields
Free passage to Women from Britain to work in Domestic Sector.
Migrants from Pacific Islands to work in Manufacturing & Urban sectors.
2002 PAC established
RSE policy developed & launched
1962 Treaty of Friendship With Samoan Govt
1860
1920
1960
1973 Cook Islands, Niue & Tokelau free entry
1970
2007
Models of Migration - Potential Options
Can current immigration models in NZ be adapted to enable caregiver migration?
Residence Work to residence Include caregivers for the elderly on the LTSSL list? Would employers be willing to offer a minimum $45,000 per year?
Samoan Quota / PAC Increase the number of allocated spaces? Diversify – includes other Pacific source countries. Current countries are: Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu & Kiribati
Temporary Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Seasonal work driven - Providing training - Pastoral care Caring for the elderly is demographically driven
Temp work permit Current model through which caregivers enter NZ. Caregivers would be issued with a labour market tested work permit.
Low-skill permanent migration Trans-Tasman agreement with Australia? How would Australia react to NZ opening up a residence stream to lower skill migrants?
Impacts of Low-skill migration Permanent vs. Temporary Host country Sending country Low skilled migrant Employer
The local labour market will have a sufficient supply of caregivers for the elderly.
Conclusion • Migration of low skill caregivers is already occurring and will increase in the future. • Need to start of thinking of a specific immigration scheme for caregivers for the elderly. • Caring for the elderly is demographically driven – and the demand for caregivers will persist .
Recommendations Given the projected increase in demand – a low skill model with a pathway to residence would be most beneficial in achieving the triple-win. Current systems within NZ’s immigration policy framework are well placed to ‘recruit’ low skill migrant caregivers. Look to the Pacific - or should we look to the world.?
