A small insight into the barriers of refugee employment in Australia
The constant barriers that resettled refugees face once they are in Australia are a reminder of the work that communities need to put in to achieve a safe and cohesive environment for all. Employment is a major concern for resettled refugees and their families, as it is a source of income, a foundation for their family's future, and a reality that can completely change the opportunities their family receives in Australian society.
Here is a small breakdown of the major barriers that refugees face in employment application in Australia.
Lack of translation for overseas qualifications
The process to get overseas qualifications recognised in Australia is expensive and slow, often resulting in people working outside of their expertise/profession.This is especially true for highly educated refugees, which often end up in low skill employment. Consequently, many lose confidence and faith in themselves, thus further decreasing the chance of employment within their profession (ECCV 2008).
Refugees sometimes lack supporting documents (ECCV 2008).
“the process is intricate, demanding, and costly; usually more than a new refugee can either negotiate or afford” (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012: 112)
Can lead to self-employment (ethnic entrepreneurship) (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012)
The process is done at a state level (and in specialisations, the private sectors) - perhaps we suggest a nationally unified framework for assessing qualifications? https://internationaleducation.gov.au/services-and-resources/pages/qualifications-recognition.aspx
Lack of local knowledge and work experience
Many Australian companies value local work experience, which many new arrivals do not have (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012; ECCV 2008).
Important as “UNHCR recognises that the workplace environment is where language skills, socialisation and national workplace culture are learned” (ECCV 2008: 5)
The Australian government does not provide volunteer opportunities for people that want to gain work experience and knowledge (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Proficiency in English
For many this is one of the main barriers (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Different levels of English among refugees ((Abdelkerim and Grace 2012; ECCV 2008).
There are differences between Australian English and British English, which for some is problematic (ECCV 2008).
For people whose first language is not english, the different Australian accents may be hard to understand (ECCV 2008).
Mainstream Employment Services
ECCV often receive complaints that the ‘federally funded Job Network’ is not placing refugees and migrants in jobs that suit their qualifications, preference and experience, rather, the focus is to place people as fast as possible, often resulting in placement of people in generic jobs (ECCV 2008).
Lack of cultural awareness and cross-cultural expertise in employment services (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Employment discrimination
Many people with different cultural, religious and linguistic background face discrimination when applying for jobs, and also in the workplace in Australia (ECCV 2008).
Partly due to framing of refugees and migrants in media and “the generally racist public discourse” (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012: 10).
Local experience is essential to gain employment in many industries in Australia
Premigration and Postmigration Trauma
Good health is key to long-term and stable employment (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Many people come from high-conflict areas, which can impact their physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, the journey can also have negative consequences (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Most common issues:
Emotional distress
Pts
Depression
Anxiety
Psychosomatic disorders, and
Grief-related disorders.
(Abdelkerim and Grace 2012: 111)
Lack of transport
Mainly a problem for new arrivals (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Especially true for women (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Barriers for women
Access to child care (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
Challenges due to social norms (Abdelkerim and Grace 2012).
References
Abdelkerim, A. A. and M. Grace (2012) ‘Challenges to employment in newly emerging African communities in Australia: A review of the literature’, Australian Social Work, 65(1), 104-119.
Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) (2008) Real Jobs: Employment for Migrants and Refugees in Australia, available at http://www.eccv.org.au/library/doc/ECCVDiscussionPaper3-RealJobs.pdf
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