Should Disabled Migrants be Allowed Into Australia

Australia welcomes migrants, however if a migrant with a disability were to be granted permanent residency in Australia this would raise many issues. Many people would argue that disabled migrants are a drain on the community financially, they use health care resources that are needed by Australians and that they don’t contribute to our country in any way. It could also be argued against these claims saying that there is a wide range of degree of disability, that the other family members that migrate with the disabled person could help them and even though a migrant has a disability they may still be able to work.

Disabled people are a financial drain on the community. These people require government money to look after them and do not pay tax, work or put money back into the economy. The disability support pension can supply these people with $300 ranging up to $600 per fortnight. However the degree of disability also determines how much of a financial burden the disabled are.

Disabled people are limited by their degree of disability. A disability can be categorized into four groups, profound – meaning they always need help to perform a core activity, severe – meaning they sometimes need assistance to perform a core activity, moderate – meaning they don’t need assistance but have trouble performing a core activity and mild where they have no trouble performing a core activity buy use aids such as hearing aid or guide dog. The degree of disability also determines how much the disabled use health care resources.

All disabled migrants will require some health care resources during their life. Some people will require more than others depending upon their degree of disability. The health care resources that the disabled would require include the attention of doctors, nurses and carers and also the use of hospitals, rehab clinics and specialist services. Disabled Australians should have access to these resources over migrants because disabled Australians live in this country and disabled migrants have chosen to come to this country. However if the disabled migrant had a family that could care for them this would reduce the amount of health care resources they require.

If a disabled migrant were to bring a family across to Australian with them this could reduce the amount they rely on the government and health care services. A family could care for them and also work in Australia which would contribute to the economy. A family could also provide financial assistance to the disabled family member so the government didn’t have to. Although the family members would contribute to the country the disabled person wouldn’t.

The profoundly and severely disabled people can not contribute to the country in any way. These people can not work and are not independent. If these people could work they would find it hard to find a job because they are not sought after and would have special requirements. Not only can these people not work but they couldn’t volunteer or help out in the community. However if the person was mildly disabled they might be able to do some work.

A disabled person in a wheel chair would still be able to work in an office provided there mind is ok. Many people with a mild disability can work normally with the use of an aid. Most migrants will want to succeed even if they have a disability so they will have a good work ethic. So just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they can’t contribute.

In conclusion I think that if a disabled migrant wants to come to Australia and work they should be granted permanent residency providing they are relatively independent. However I also think that disabled migrants that do not come here to work and require lots of attention should be rejected permanent residency because they choose to come here but can’t contribute.

REFERENCES.

>Healey,Justin(2005) Disability rights, volume 219. The Spinney Press

> Simon Lynch – Managing Director (2003 – 2008)

(Accessed on the 19/11/08)

www.justlanded.com/english/australia/tools/australia-guide/visas-permits/migrants.

>Australian Government- Department of immigration and citizen ship. © 2006

(Accessed on the 19/11/08)

www.immi.gov.au/skilled/index.htm

> Net Starter Web Design © 2008

(Accessed on the 20/11/08)

www.netstarter.com.au/content_common/pg-Australia-permanent-visa.seo

> Dr Babar Peters © 2003

Page last updated: Tuesday, 20 May, 2003

(Acessed on the 20/11/08)

www.australianmigration.com/page/migration/_costs/a2