Reducing humanitarian migrants’ welfare dependency through language support: Evidence from Australia’s Adult Migrant English Program

This presentation evaluates the impact of the Adult Migrant English Program on the economic integration of humanitarian migrants in Australia. Using a staggered difference-in-differences approach and longitudinal data from the Building a New Life in Australia survey, the analysis estimates the causal effect of AMEP participation on welfare dependency. Results indicate a statistically significant average reduction of 17.9 percent in welfare reliance across three post-treatment periods. A heterogeneity analysis reveals that program effectiveness varies by gender, geographic location, and pre-arrival education, underscoring the importance of tailored policy design. 

These findings challenge prevailing assumptions that economic self-sufficiency is primarily achievable by high-skilled migrants, and instead highlight the potential of inclusive, skills-based settlement programs to improve fiscal outcomes and social cohesion. The study also explores the cost-benefit dimensions of AMEP, considering both direct program expenditures and long-term fiscal savings from reduced welfare dependency.

Bowen Wang is an Economist at the Treasury with prior experience in research and statistical analysis at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and Department of Education. Her work focuses on bridging research and policy through quantitative evaluation of policy impacts, particularly in the areas of migration and education. She is passionate about using data-driven insights to inform effective and inclusive public policy. Bowen is currently working on her thesis, which evaluates the impact of the 2017 employer-sponsored visa reform on Australia’s labour market.