Introduction to the LSIA
What is the LSIA
The LSIA is the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia and is the most comprehensive survey of immigrants ever to be undertaken in Australia. The LSIA seeks to provide government and other agencies with reliable data to monitor and improve immigration and settlement policies, programs and services.
Longitudinal surveys
Longitudinal surveys collect data from the same individuals at different times over an extended period. To do so, individuals are surveyed on a number of different occasions. The benefit of using a longitudinal approach is that it provides a better picture of settlement progress than would be captured from a point-in-time survey.
For example, a longitudinal survey can answer questions such as:
- How long is it taking migrants to find work?
- How has the English proficiency of migrants improved when they have been in Australia for 18 months compared with 6 months after they arrived?
- How is the use of support services by migrants varying over time?
LSIA 1, LSIA 2 and LSIA 3
There are three LSIA surveys:
- LSIA 1 surveyed migrants who arrived in Australia between September 1993 and August 1995.
- LSIA 2 surveyed migrants who arrived in Australia between September 1999 and August 2000.
- LSIA 3 surveyed migrants who either:
- arrived in Australia between December 2004 and March 2005; or
- were granted their visa onshore between December 2004 and March 2005