Migrant workers are pushing through illness, taking far fewer sick days, if any, than the average Australian, because of a lack of awareness of their employee entitlements, a landmark Bupa Whitepaper has revealed.
The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health Whitepaper found more than a third (39%) of migrant workers had never taken a single sick day, while another 38% had taken just one or two days off in the past year. By comparison, the national average per worker is between nine and 14 sick days annually.
Bupa Health Services Clinical Director Dr Tony MacDermott said cultural attitudes played a role in sick days including the fact that formal sick leave may not exist in a person's country of origin and some new arrivals may be unaware of their work entitlements in Australia.
The report also reveals Australia's healthcare system is a major drawcard for migrant workers with 72% agreeing it makes Australia a more attractive place to live and work compared to others with high trust of our health system among migrant workers.
Dr MacDermott said: "There are places around the world where migrant workers have fewer rights than they have in Australia. Some countries deport migrant workers at their discretion, including when workers are found to have certain health conditions.
"That may influence a migrant worker's perceptions of what their rights are in Australia. For example, they may worry about losing their job if they take unscheduled leave, or that their visa status might be jeopardised if they have a health condition."
The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health Whitepaper, commissioned by Bupa in partnership with Quantum Market Research, draws on survey results of migrant workers on overseas health cover, examining the health and wellbeing experience of migrants and highlights where the health system is working well, where it isn't and what solutions might help address productivity and wellbeing challenges.
Other key findings in The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health whitepaper include:
- 59% have seen a GP and 23% used a telehealth service
- 36% struggled to find a GP that spoke their language and 41% said language barriers were the key obstacle in getting medical help.
- Workers in mining, retail and construction reported better mental and physical health while white-collar professionals, including those in accounting, banking and IT, are among the migrant workers most likely to self-report poorer health
- 27% avoided medical treatment due to difficulty in talking time off work
- 51% said cultural background influenced healthcare needs, highlighting the danger of treating migrants as a single, homogenous group.
- The biggest stressor was uncertainty, with almost 1 in 2 worrying about their visa status.
- Young people were the most proactive in seeking care with 77% of 18 to 24-year-olds visiting a GP in Australia – well above the average of 59% across all age groups.
- 44% reported exercise as average or poor, 31% said diet was average or poor and 35% said sleep was average or poor.
In the report, Bupa acknowledges healthcare challenges were complex and calls for action across government, employers, healthcare providers, universities, migration agents and the broader community to create pathways that are safe, accessible and sustainable.
"Now is the time to invest in care that supports all cultures, expand affordable and flexible access, mandate cost transparency, normalise mental health support and equip workplaces to reduce presenteeism. These actions are essential to ensure Australia's healthcare system serves everyone, strengthens the workforce and protects the health and future of migrant communities," the report states.
"For Australia to thrive, we must ensure that our culturally diverse communities are supported in every aspect of their health and wellbeing – physically, mentally and socially.
"Employers, policymakers and healthcare providers must prioritise mental health while addressing workplace pressures and general workplace readiness, as well as visa uncertainty and financial stresses that are playing into the fear of taking sick leave."
The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health paper recommends a six-point plan to remove barriers and make access simple, transparent and accessible.
- Improve cost transparency: Require providers to publish upfront costs, give written out-of-pocket estimates, and ensure insured patients aren't billed upfront for emergency public hospital.
- Expand multilingual and culturally competent care: Strengthen training, education, and resources to improve health literacy and access for diverse communities.
- Enhance mental health support and reduce stigma: Normalise mental health conversations and deliver culturally tailored, language-accessible education and support through workplaces, schools, and community networks to reduce stigma and improve wellbeing.
- Expand flexible access to healthcare: Increase virtual, after-hours, and on-site health services in workplaces and universities to better meet migrants' needs.
- Empower workplaces as agents of change: Support migrant wellbeing through inclusive education, diversity programs, flexible work, and subsidised health insurance.
- Support young migrants and international students: Provide targeted employment, financial, and community programs through migration agents and universities to build skills and connections.
Bupa found there was optimism for migrant workers and their health and wellbeing needs.
"The good news is that change is possible and there's much that can be done to support migrants' mental and physical health. It's not about a single, sweeping solution but, rather, small, practical steps that can add up over time," the report says.
"We need to move beyond the narrow 'fix healthcare' narrative. It's about advocacy, normalising things like how sick leave is used, supporting people to be at their best and broadening the conversation to include wellbeing before someone gets sick or needs hospital care.
"Ensuring they receive adequate healthcare, mental health support and workplace protections is vital for maintaining resilient and equitable communities."
