South Asian migrants are one of Australia’s fastest-growing communities, but their healthcare needs are often overlooked.
Despite living in a country with a developed healthcare system, they face hidden challenges that can delay or prevent access to essential care.
Research by Dr Mehwish Nisar from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Centre for Hearing Research (CHEAR) investigated the unique challenges faced by this community, and how they can be resolved to build a system that serves all Australians.
About the study
The study explored healthcare access and utilisation patterns among first-generation South Asian migrants in Australia, aiming to identify factors that influence their experiences in seeking timely care.
Dr Nisar said the research is unique, as it brings real-life migrant experiences to the forefront.
“We conducted focus groups and online surveys to gather data to provide a comprehensive understanding of this community’s experience,” Dr Nisar said.
“By combining data with personal narratives, we have been able to provide a humanised, relatable look at the struggles and resilience of South Asian migrants in navigating Australia’s healthcare system.
“This study reveals how deep-rooted cultural beliefs, reliance on social networks, language barriers, navigating frustratingly long wait times for specialists, and financial constraints shape their healthcare decisions—sometimes at the cost of their wellbeing.”
What were the findings?
Five key findings were identified from the research.
- Barriers to healthcare access: 1 in 6 survey respondents encountered challenges accessing timely healthcare. 72 percent of participants reported long wait times, 48 percent attributed high costs and 36 percent said lack of knowledge about available services were significant obstacles.
- Chronic disease and access issues: Migrants with multiple chronic diseases faced the highest barriers to accessing timely healthcare and had significantly greater difficulty compared to those with no or one chronic condition.
- Cultural and social influences: Many South Asian migrants said they preferred home remedies or traditional medicines before seeking professional healthcare.
- Dissatisfaction with healthcare providers: Many participants expressed frustration with rushed consultations and a lack of provider empathy.
- Role of social networks: Community recommendations played a key role in selecting healthcare providers and influencing healthcare decisions based on cultural familiarity and trust.
Dr Nisar said the findings send a clear message.
“We need a healthcare system that’s not just available, but also accessible, affordable and culturally responsive to the needs of South Asian migrants."
What next?
Dr Nisar said the research doesn’t just identify the problems but provides a roadmap for creating solutions.
“There needs to be investment in training for healthcare providers, breaking down the language barriers, and reducing the financial strain on those seeking care,” Dr Nisar said.
“For healthcare providers, this could involve implementing cultural competency training to improve interactions with South Asian patients.
“Policymakers could implement targeted interventions, such as culturally appropriate public health campaigns, to raise awareness of available services and improve access to affordable specialist and dental care, particularly for low-income South Asian patients.
“It’s also important for South Asian migrants to actively seek accurate information and leverage social networks to navigate the healthcare system effectively and prioritise their well-being.
“While past research often focused on the obstacles migrants face, this study offers a more complete picture by also highlighting what works.”
The research is published in Health Promotion Journal of Australia.
