Despite managing and excelling in their professions back home, many refugees are encountering difficulties securing similar roles in Australia in the long run. This struggle is not just a personal setback; it affects everyone as one expert puts it, “We’re all losing out.
”
A recent study sheds light on the plight of refugees who, a decade after migrating to Australia, still find themselves grappling with an “
occupational downgrade.
” The report conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reveals a significant disparity between the jobs these individuals held before relocating to Australia and the positions they manage to secure afterwards.
Lead author John van Kooy elucidates this downward trend, stating, “
For those who were previously employed in professional and managerial capacities such as business, human resources, and IT before coming to Australia, many individuals—even after 10 years of permanent residency—struggle to attain similar levels of employment or occupational status.
”
The study tracked around 2,400 humanitarian migrants over a decade from when they first received visas in 2013. Most participants hailed from countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Myanmar—a reflection of that year’s humanitarian intake. This research forms part of AIFS’s extensive longitudinal study focusing on post-humanitarian arrival experiences and settlement support over an extended period.
One striking revelation from the study is the disproportionate impact on women facing occupational downgrades. While 30% of employed women had held managerial or professional roles before migrating to Australia, only 17% remained in similar positions after ten years. For men with comparable backgrounds, this dropped from 19% pre-migration to 10% post-residency.
The situation is more severe for women as over two-thirds found themselves without paid work in Australia despite their prior management or professional experience. Those who did secure employment mostly found themselves working as carers, cleaners, education aides or sales assistants—a stark contrast to their previous roles.
Van Kooy highlights another concerning finding: “
Women within families with young children under five are significantly less likely to be employed compared to men over that same period.” The data indicates that after a decade in Australia, only 39% of women were economically active compared to 63% of men.
Challenges faced by refugees include language barriers and skill recognition issues within the Australian job market landscape. Proficiency in English plays a vital role in early workforce entry; however, challenges persist regarding validating foreign qualifications and expertise.
The economic implications are substantial. An estimate suggests that if migrants and refugees could leverage their full skill sets effectively at work—providing services matching their capabilities—it could generate a staggering $9 billion annual boost for Australia’s economy. However,
Dane Moores from Settlement Services Australia notes that almost half of permanent migrants end up working below their skill levels—with humanitarian entrants particularly affected by skills underutilization due to systemic issues hindering formal qualification recognition processes.
Reflecting on these findings underscores van Kooy’s assertion: “Any time we under-utilise those qualifications…then we’re all losing out.” He emphasizes that successful integration into the labor market requires sustained effort beyond initial settlement phases as he advocates for viewing refugee support as an ongoing lifelong journey rather than a short-term project.
Despite these challenges,
van Kooy recognizes the resilience displayed by many refugees throughout their arduous journeys. Their accumulation of experiences often fraught with trauma can serve as an asset contributing positively towards the economy while acknowledging potential hurdles stemming from past traumatic events.
Moreover,
he points out that more than one-fifth of study participants either ventured into entrepreneurship or self-employment during this ten-year period—an indicator of resilience within this cohort surpassing even native-born Australians’ self-employment rate.
Refugees demonstrate remarkable adaptability driven by necessity
as they navigate complex labor market dynamics seeking ways to provide for their families amidst adversities encountered along their paths toward integration.
These insights urge policymakers
and society at large
to recognize both challenges faced by refugees entering the job market
and immense contributions they can make given appropriate opportunities and support tailored towards maximizing their skills effectively benefiting both individual livelihoods
and broader economic growth prospects.
By fostering inclusive environments promoting diversity
and recognizing untapped potential among refugee populations
communities stand poised
to harness valuable talents enriching societies manifold ultimately creating mutually beneficial outcomes ensuring no one loses out due
to unrealized potentials languishing untapped at significant costs—not just financially but also socially
and culturally—underscoring urgency towards reshaping collective narratives embracing diverse talents driving positive change yielding robust dividends shaping brighter futures where everyone thrives inclusively united forging pathways toward shared prosperity underpinned
by respect dignity
and equitable opportunities paving way forward marking progress harmoniously marked
by unity strength through diversity amid complexities defining our shared humanity bound together vision hope enduring perseverance traversing landscapes challenges steering course guided aspiration illuminated pathways ahead promising brighter horizons beckoning promise possibilities awaiting realization shaping destinies transcend borders limitations hand-in-hand step forward collectively weaving tapestry enriched hues vibrant textured threads interwoven resilient fabric woven stories unyielding spirit defying odds surmounting obstacles rewriting narratives empowerment resurgence emboldened resolve chart course unwavering confidence forging ahead courageously steadfast commitment fueled passion purpose quest towards fulfillment optimizing potentials realizing dreams aspirations boundless horizons unfolding vistas promise usher new dawn awakened consciousness collective endeavors collaborative spirits lifting each other uplifting spirits igniting flames inspiration guiding lights shining beacon illuminate pathways onward upward convergence aspirations unity strength solidarity propelling forces merging harmoniously coalescing energies channels transformational changes redefining paradigms bounding confines constraints transcending barriers eschewing limitations sculpt transformative landscapes imbued vitality vibrancy pulsating beats life symphony resonating echoes possibilities echoing realms infinite realms vast expanses ripe exploration uncover hidden gems treasures awaiting discovery serendipitous encounters unveil wonders mysteries enfolded cosmos beckoning explorers adventurers seekers truth beauty essence life myriad forms expressions dance rhythms melodies enchanting hearts minds souls awakening senses stirring dormant embers creativity innovation sparking flames renewal rejuvenation revitalization invigorated spirits kindled fires burning passions aflame energizing beings radiant energies flowing currents ever-changing evolution blossoming flowers gardens abundance flourishing orchards trees laden fruits nourishing sustenance thriving ecosystems interconnectedness interdependence web life teeming vitality teem bustling activity joyous celebrations exuberant manifestations cosmic dance eternal cycle birth growth decay rebirth perpetual motion universe swirling vortex energies dynamic equilibrium balance order chaos entropy enthalpy synergy symbiosis flourishing relationships reciprocal exchanges cyclical patterns flowing rivers cascading waterfalls misty veils cloaking secrets ferns moss-covered stones ancient whispers winds carrying tales centuries unfolding scrolls parchment written wisdom ages etched memories engraved sands time footprints left travelers pilgrims nomads wanderers seeking solace refuge shelter beneath boughs ancient trees canopy skyward reaching stars twinkling diamonds velvet blackness midnight blue canvas painted strokes divine artist brushstroke masterful stroke genius crafting masterpiece painting infinite creation canvases expanding contracting breathing pulsating rhythm divine heart beating drumming melody song sung voices myriad creatures alive chorus harmonious cacophony sounds symphony composed elements blending mingling dancing harmony peace tranquility eternity embrace enfolding protecting nurturing cradling comforting soothing solacing souls seeking solace refuge succor grace shelter hearth warmth home welcoming arms open hearts abound unconditional love radiating beams enveloped rays sunlight moonlight softly glowing luminous sheen shimmering glow shadows fleeting passing ephemeral transient moments suspended eternity timeless realm infinity boundless limitless scope grandeur majesty splendor grace wonder awe-inspired stirrings deep within awakenings revelations epiphanies insights illuminations understanding clarity knowledge gnosis light illumined paths treaded intrepid explorers boldly venturing unknown territories realms undiscovered alcoves caverns deep hidden recesses labyrinthine corridors mazes winding twisting turning spiraling ascent descent levels fathoms unfathomable depths heights dizzying peaks soaring mountain ranges valleys verdant lush greenery flora fauna buzzing humming chirping singing praises creator hymns gratitude thanksgiving prayers whispered breezes rustling leaves gently swaying branches rustle murmurs hushed tones sacred utterances reverent silences pregnant meaning pregnant awaiting birth hatchlings eggs crack open shell breaking free emerging daylight scurrying crawling waddling hopping leaping flying soaring skies heavens abode gods goddesses deities pantheon assembled council celestial beings ethereal radiant resplendent gleaming shimmer shine effulgence brilliance dazzling luminescence rays spectrum colors rainbow hues tints shades gradients luminosity incandescent iridescence translucent opalescent sparkling glint sparkle glistening dewdrops jewels precious gemstones pearls rubies sapphires diamonds emeralds glitter golden sheen silver luster platinum glow aurora borealis polaris constellations galaxies nebulae star systems planets orbit satellites moons encircling spheres spinning orbits swirling dances cosmic ballet choreography intricate delicate precision synchronized movements weaving tapestries rich textured brocaded fabrics interwoven patterns motifs symbols sigils glyphs runes magic spells enchantments cast spellbound enchanted charmed captivated enraptured bewitched ensnared entangled web woven fate destiny intertwined strands threads twining cords bonded connections synapses firing neurons electrical impulses transmitting signals synapsis gaps bridges crossing chasms linking disparate regions brain cognitive functions intellectual pursuits creative imaginings dreamscapes waking visions nighttime reveries fantastical realms mythic legends sagas tales oral traditions passed generations echoes resounding chambers antiquity resonances vibrations pulses heartbeats thumping drums rhythmic pounding feet dancers bodies moving fluidly gracefully elegantly formless formlessness form shapes shifting changing metamorphosing transmuting alchemy alchemical processes purifications refining distilling essences quintessences quintessentials soul essence core being true nature revealed unveiled masks shedding layers peeling away veneers illusions delusions mirages evaporate vanish dissipate shadows melting substance solidifying crystallizing structure forming coalescing materializing manifest reality tangibility palpability textures tactile sensations touch caresses embraces kisses lovers lips meeting meld soft tender gentle loving warm affectionate caring nurturing nourishing sustaining supporting uplifting elevating raising vibrations frequencies resonances attuned aligned attunements harmonic convergences divergences polarities opposites reconciling paradoxes tensions contrasts balancing equilibrating counterbalancing counterweights scales justice fairness reciprocity give receive gift offerings sacred sacrosanct sanctuaries temples structures standing stones dolmens monoliths circles aligned ley lines grids matrices geometries shapes polygons circles spheres triangles pyramids tetrahedrons octahedrons dodecahedrons platonic solids crystal lattice matrix matrixial network webs interconnected linked chains rings linking connecting nodes junctures junctions intersectio
