publications

Why people were quarantining in the Territory: Results from the NT Quarantine Centres

Understanding the role quarantine centres played in the broader picture of changed internal migration as a result of COVID-19 is a current research void. Results from two surveys of NT quarantine centre residents are presented to provide a picture of the people who were using quarantine to facilitate their movements within Australia. As expected, we found a significant majority of survey respondents were from Victoria (71%), but the main reason the  majority of respondents were in the Territory was to transit to another jurisdiction (45%). Results also include information on who was passing through quarantine to relocate to the Territory and the main reasons for their migration decision. The impacts of COVID-19 on quarantine resident’s physical, mental and financial wellbeing are also presented.

COVID-19 IMPACTS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA 

This report provides analysis of changing sentiments towards migrating from and to the Territory after the onset of COVID-19. It includes information on respondent’s expectations about where they intend to be living in 2 years by the life stages used in the original survey analysis. The pandemic’s impact on people self-rated physical, mental and financial wellbeing is also discussed. As the dynamism continues for internal and international migration, these results are useful to ongoing economic and policy responses.

A focus on Alice – PEOPLE, PLACE & PANDEMIC IMPACTS

This presentation brings together a number of data sources to describe the population of Alice Springs. It profiles the population using the themes of population structure, trends, diversity and immigration and also includes data from The Territory and Me survey which captures the pre-COVID drivers for Alice as a migration destination. These are updated using results from The Territory and Me – COVID Update survey which focuses on the things that changed over 2020. The last section explores scenarios about possible population futures for Alice that account for these changes.

The Territory and Me Survey: A summary of results

More than 5,200 people participated in the research and we thank everyone for sharing their experiences with us. This research brief provides an overview of the information generated from their stories. We break down the results according to life stages and focus on analysing the strength of relationships between these stage and a range of variables (like education attainment and home ownership) to understand what attracts people to the Territory and what keeps them here as residents. We also look at reasons for moving out of the Territory based on life stage transitions.

Attracting and Retaining the Territory’s Growing Multicultural Communities

Four different data sources have been brought together to describe the migration experiences and future migration intentions of eight growing migrant communities contributing to the population of the Northern Territory. Factors associated with recruitment and attraction (pull), attachment and connection (retention) and out migration intent (push) were examined through responses to a large online survey and focus groups. The aim of this Brief is to inform policy considerations on enhancing the attraction and retention of migrants from these communities. We also provide insights about cultural and demographic nuances that should be considered in policy or initiatives to attract or retain migrants.

Northern Territory Contemporary Indigenous Migration Trends

A growing net loss of Indigenous residents of the Northern Territory to other jurisdictions in Australia has been observed in successive Censuses. In this brief we examine Northern Territory Indigenous migration trends from 2001 to 2016 to identify patterns, flows and the characteristics of Indigenous migrants arriving to and departing from the Territory for interstate. The aim is to inform considerations by policy-makers on ways to enhance the retention of Indigenous people in the Territory and to increase attraction rates for those outside of the Territory. We also provide insights about return migration rates and characteristics for Indigenous residents compared to others. While the aim is primarily to outline migration trends, as context we provide baseline data on Territory Indigenous population characteristics and trends which are important to understanding recent and future Indigenous population growth and change in the Territory.

We’re Still Here!

Territory seniors population trends and futures

We have analysed three sources of data on the causes and consequences of rapid population ageing now occurring in the Northern Territory and projected to continue. The aim is to highlight opportunities to help address low population growth through retaining residents who are transitioning from pre to post-retirement. We report on
drivers of population change for sub-segments of Territory seniors and discuss implications for policies seeking to
retain them.