Untapped: how Australia can reap economic benefits from better utilising the skills of migrants and refugees

Pringle, Ian

Untapped: how Australia can reap economic benefits from better utilising the skills of migrants and refugees

This study, commissioned by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia, found up to 49 per cent of skilled migrants are not using all of their professional skills, experience and qualifications after arrival in Australia. Migrants and refugees in unskilled jobs earn less and pay less in tax than if employed in skilled jobs. Barriers to migrants reaching their full potential include a lack of local experience and networks, unfamiliarity with Australian workplace culture and the job market as well as language or pronunciation.

This report notes that an intensive support program delivere ... Show more

This study, commissioned by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia, found up to 49 per cent of skilled migrants are not using all of their professional skills, experience and qualifications after arrival in Australia. Migrants and refugees in unskilled jobs earn less and pay less in tax than if employed in skilled jobs. Barriers to migrants reaching their full potential include a lack of local experience and networks, unfamiliarity with Australian workplace culture and the job market as well as language or pronunciation.

This report notes that an intensive support program delivered early in migrants' settlement journeys could achieve positive results in supporting migrants and refugees to achieve their career aspirations. One such program, the Skilled Professional Migrant Program (SPMP) has helped 77 per cent of participants find work within six months. Fifty-eight per cent were in professional work aligned with their qualifications - a figure which rose to 91 per cent within two years of completing the program. Based on the successful outcomes of the SPMP, the report puts forward an economic argument for a national program that supports skilled migrants and refugees to find employment that fits with their skills and qualifications as they begin their settlement journeys in Australia. The SPMP costs around $1000 per student to deliver. An investment of around $10 million a year would extend the program to 10,000 extra skilled migrants.

This study finds that better utilising the skills and experience migrants and refugees bring with them could benefit Australia's economy by as much as $10 billion over five years. Supporting new arrivals to re-establish their professional careers in Australia could generate more than $2.5 billion in extra tax receipts as well as an extra $8 billion in earnings circulating in the economy over five years.

Edited excerpts from publisher's website and publication. Show less