The Journey of Refugees in Australia: Navigating Professional Barriers
Sam Matti’s Background
When Sam Matti arrived in Australia in 2015, he was not your typical newcomer. With a bachelor’s degree in automation engineering and five years of experience as an engineer at an electric power plant in Baghdad, he had a solid foundation. However, the background that equipped him for success in Iraq could not protect him from the challenges of his new environment. Fleeing religious persecution from the Islamic State, which was actively targeting minority Christians, Matti hoped to rebuild his life in Australia.
Challenges in Job Seeking
Despite Sam’s qualifications and experience, his journey to find a suitable engineering job was fraught with obstacles. "I applied for every possible and available position on Seek," he shared, frustrated that he couldn’t even secure an interview. The common response? “Sorry, we found a more experienced person with the right skills,” or, more frequently, complete silence.
As a result, Matti had to take on various odd jobs—cleaning, catering, and working in aged care—just to make ends meet. This experience resonates with many refugees who find their professional qualifications insufficient in a new country.
The Broader Picture: Occupational Downgrade
Matti’s experience highlights a concerning trend documented in a report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). Many refugees and humanitarian migrants who previously held managerial or professional roles face significant job market challenges in Australia. The AIFS’s study included around 2,400 humanitarian migrants surveyed over ten years, revealing that while 30% of employed women and 19% of employed men worked in managerial or professional roles before arriving, these figures plummeted to 17% and 10%, respectively, after a decade living in Australia.
Gender Disparities
The report is particularly revealing regarding gender disparities in occupational status. Among female refugees who once occupied managerial roles, over two-thirds (67%) were not in paid employment a decade after arriving in Australia. For the men, half of those who worked in business, human resources, and other professional fields found themselves relegated to roles as technicians, tradespersons, or machinery operators.
Moreover, the study highlights that women with children under five were 84% less likely to be employed than their male counterparts in similar situations, underscoring the additional layers of complexity they face in balancing family responsibilities with job seeking.
Barriers to Employment
Dr. John van Kooy, the lead author of the AIFS report, noted that around 60% of women and 37% of men surveyed were not employed nor actively looking for work by the tenth year of their residency. "Many indicated that they do want jobs," he explained, emphasizing that these individuals often contend with significant barriers. Issues such as the recognition of foreign qualifications, language proficiency, and the psychological effects of forced migration can complicate their job search.
The Financial Cost of Underemployment
The implications of these barriers are far-reaching. A 2024 report from Settlement Services International (SSI), a national not-for-profit service provider, estimates a potential "billion-dollar benefit" from employing refugees and migrants who have underutilized skills. SSI states that nearly half of permanent migrants are working below their skill level, with humanitarian entrants among the most affected.
The Complexity of Recognition
“Many refugees arrive in Australia with years of professional experience and valuable skills but face a system that devalues their expertise,” said Dane Moores, head of strategic relations at SSI. The hurdles for immigrants seeking recognition for their overseas qualifications are convoluted and high-cost, often leaving refugees stuck in entry-level positions despite their capabilities.
A Ray of Hope: Success Stories
For Sam Matti, the journey became a little brighter after two years of struggle. He finally landed an internship at a leading construction company, eventually stepping into a fulfilling role as an operations manager at Australia Post. “Giving an opportunity to a person can be a life-changing event,” he reflects. Matti’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that with the right support and opportunities, refugees can rise to meet their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
His story underscores the importance of providing pathways for refugee professionals, advocating for the recognition of their skills, and integrating them into the workforce—an endeavor that can ultimately benefit not just individuals but the broader Australian economy as well.
