The determinants of migration of Sri Lankan young engineers to Australia – A case study

Abstract

The migration of professionals or brain drain is a widely discussed issue in developing countries. Professionally qualified engineers in developing countries migrate to developed countries for different reasons. Currently, young engineers who graduated from state universities in Sri Lanka migrate to Australia at an increasing rate. This research aimed to identify the push & pull factors that cause Sri Lankan young engineers to migrate to Australia as a case study. Using Facebook, we gathered a representative sample of Sri Lankan young engineers living in Australia and administered a 5-point Likert-type online questionnaire. Sixty-three engineers anonymously responded to the survey. The Australian government's introduction of the Subclass 476 – Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa is a significant motivator for Sri Lankan young engineers to migrate to Australia. Results showed that political influence and corruption were major driving forces behind the young engineers’ migration, as were lower salaries and unfavorable working conditions in Sri Lanka. In contrast, opportunities for career advancement and education and a desire to gain exposure to a new culture are strong reasons to move to Australia. The majority of migrated engineers prefer the life they live in Australia. Outcomes of this study will support stakeholders of the engineering profession in Sri Lanka to tackle the brain drain issue of engineers in Australia.