Migrant workers in Australia are taking far fewer sick days than the national average, often working through illness, due to limited awareness of their employee entitlements, according to a landmark Bupa Whitepaper titled The Hidden Strain on Migrant Health.
The report found that 39% of migrant workers had not taken a single sick day in the past year, while another 38% had taken just one or two days off. By comparison, the average Australian worker takes between nine and 14 sick days annually.
Bupa Health Services Clinical Director Dr. Tony MacDermott noted that cultural attitudes influence this behaviour. In many migrants’ countries of origin, formal sick leave may not exist, and new arrivals may be unaware of their rights in Australia. Migrants may also fear losing their job or jeopardising their visa status if they take unscheduled leave.
Despite these challenges, Australia’s healthcare system remains a strong draw for migrants, with 72% agreeing it makes the country a more attractive place to live and work.
The whitepaper, commissioned by Bupa in partnership with Quantum Market Research, also highlighted broader health trends among migrant workers:
Healthcare access: 59% had visited a GP, and 23% had used telehealth services.
Language barriers: 36% struggled to find a GP who spoke their language, while 41% cited language as the main obstacle to care.
Occupational health disparities: Migrant workers in mining, retail, and construction reported better physical and mental health than those in white-collar sectors such as accounting, banking, and IT.
Barriers to treatment: 27% avoided medical care due to difficulty taking time off work.
Cultural influence: 51% said their cultural background shaped their healthcare needs, underlining the risks of treating migrants as a homogenous group.
Stress and lifestyle: Nearly half worried about visa status, 44% rated their exercise as average or poor, 31% said diet was average or poor, and 35% rated sleep as average or poor. Young migrants (18–24) were the most proactive, with 77% visiting a GP—well above the 59% average.
The report stresses the need for collaborative action across government, employers, healthcare providers, universities, migration agents, and the wider community to improve access and equity in healthcare for migrants. Key recommendations include:
Improve cost transparency: Ensure providers publish upfront costs and provide clear estimates.
Expand multilingual and culturally competent care: Enhance training and resources to improve health literacy and access.
Enhance mental health support and reduce stigma: Normalize mental health discussions and provide culturally appropriate education and support.
Expand flexible access to healthcare: Increase virtual, after-hours, and on-site services in workplaces and universities.
Empower workplaces: Promote migrant wellbeing through inclusive policies, diversity programs, flexible work, and subsidised health insurance.
Support young migrants and international students: Provide targeted employment, financial, and community programs to strengthen skills and connections.
The whitepaper concluded that meaningful change is possible through small, practical steps. Advocating for workplace protections, mental health support, and accessible healthcare is essential to building resilient, equitable communities and improving the wellbeing of Australia’s diverse migrant population.
