Skilled professionals are able to migrate to Australia depending on the economy and the employment market. Migrants coming under other humanitarian and refugee programs may also have many skills to offer the Australian economy.

However, many of these migrants have a great deal of difficulty finding a job where they can use their skills. They may end up having long periods of unemployment, or working in positions in which their education and experience are wasted.

A survey of more than 100 skilled migrants found that 90% had sent more than 200 job applications during the first 6 months they were in Australia, but received no interviews.

In gaining employment the most common problem faced by skilled migrants is lack of local experience. It is the old story of not being able to get local experience until you can get a job, but not being able to get a job until you have local experience.

This is exacerbated by lack of awareness among employers about the skilled migration program.
Employers may be experiencing difficulty employing suitably qualified people for certain positions due to a labour shortage in the area, but not know that the government has targeted migrants with these skills. While the employer therefore continues to place local experience over skills, they may overlook a potentially suitable candidate from the migrant program.

In an attempt to gain local experience, many skilled migrants apply for positions that are at a lower level than they are qualified for or at which they worked in their home country. However they are often rejected for these as well, on the grounds that they are overqualified.

Some employers are wary of overseas qualifications, particularly from developing countries. This may be the case even when the person has gained full recognition from the relevant professional association in Australia.

Employers may also be wary of employing someone who speaks with a strong accent or is unfamiliar with colloquial Australian, but in many cases this will not affect their ability to do the job or communicate with their fellow employees. In addition, skilled migrants generally have good Basic English skills and the jargon of their industry and will quickly pick up more colloquial language once they are in a position to do so.

There are also issues relating to the recruitment process in Australia. Adequately addressing the selection criteria for a position may require a higher level or style of English than the position itself, new migrants may not have the language skills or cultural familiarity to pick up the nuances of the interview process, as well as cross-cultural issues, for example, in some cultures the very idea of promoting yourself is looked on unfavourably. In addition, many positions are filled via professional networks which new migrants may not have.

People migrating to Australia under the skilled migration stream are not eligible for unemployment assistance, and may find themselves in serious financial hardship. They are often forced to take Low-paid manual jobs which are frequently casual, making it difficult for them to make plans or borrow money. Some give up the struggle and return to their country of origin with an unfavourable impression of Australia and increased financial problems.

Voluntary work experience placements often provide the best means for skilled migrants to gain a foothold in their field, and give employers a chance to assess whether a potential recruit is suitable for permanent work. This can also provide other benefits for employers, such as new ideas from an international perspective, improved information about ethnic markets, and the opportunity to work on projects currently on the back burner.

Funded by the NSW Department of Education and Training, the Skilled Migrant Placement Program helps migrants with preparing resumes and applications, preparing for interviews, planning how to get a job in their field, approaching employers, getting qualifications recognised and organising work experience placements. This assistance is crucial in gaining that vital first placement which can establish a skilled migrant in their profession in Australia.

Clients of the Program have established a the Skilled Migrant Network in Auburn, an area in Western Sydney where many skilled migrants live. The network has been very successful in providing support for skilled migrants and a forum for discussion and education.

Guest speakers have given members very valuable training on the process of recruitment in Australia and strategies for keeping motivated in the search for a job. Informal networking at the meetings has resulted in a number of members gaining work placements and permanent positions. The group is also becoming a forum for consultation on multicultural issues.

If you want more information or would like to consider providing a work experience placement for a skilled migrant, please phone the Inner West Skills Centre on 9749 5063, and they will put you in touch with your nearest Skilled Migrant Placement Officer.

Migrant Career Dvelopment Program
The Migrant Career Development Program is another initiative funded by the Department of Education and Training to assist skilled migrants. Delivered by the Office of Employment Equity and Diversity, it offers skilled migrants the opportunity to undertake paid work experience placements in the NSW Public Sector. Agencies receive an incentive payment and gain access to a field of highly-skilled and experienced applicants to carry out valuable projects. Many applicants have a tertiary education from overseas, some at Maters or PhD level, and extensive overseas experience in their profession. If you would like more information on offering a placement you can contact Victoria Javanovski on (02) 9248 3513.