Billion Dollar Benefit

Everyone should have the opportunity to use their skills and qualifications to reach their full potential. But for some of us, like people new to Australia, it’s not that easy. One in four permanent skilled migrants work in jobs beneath their skill level. They deserve a chance to use their full set of skills and experience to build fulfilling lives.

Refugees and migrants have tremendous unrealised potential

$1.25 billion in lost wages

over five years from the underutilisation of skilled migrants

1 in 4

permanent skilled migrants work beneath their skill level

$1 billion

generated a year within 10 years by supporting refugees in Australia to launch new businesses

80%+ migrants are of working age

compared with 65% of the broader population

But refugees and migrants face barriers to finding meaningful employment

Recognition roadblocks

Only 33% of permanent arrivals have their postschool qualifications recognised in Australia

Right to Work

57% of people seeking asylum in Australia are not allowed to work

Discrimination

Applicants from ethnic backgrounds are 57% less likely to be considered for leadership roles in Australia, despite identical resumes

Exploitation

Almost two thirds of workers on temporary visas are paid less than the minimum standard

We consulted 50 experts who backed five barrier-breaking solutions

Top 5 actions to implement by 2025:

1

Fix the broken skills and qualifications recognition system

2

Strengthen protections for migrant workers

3

Review the right to work for people on temporary visas

4

Scale innovative ‘tripartite’ partnerships

5

Reform English language requirements

About The Campaign

The Billion Dollar Benefit campaign is a movement of individuals and organisations committed to reducing employment barriers so skilled refugees and migrants can work in their fields of expertise and contribute billions of dollars to the Australian economy.

We are a wide-ranging advocacy coalition – spanning employers, unions, peak bodies, research institutions and NGOs – united in our mission to support skilled refugees and migrants to achieve their full economic potential.

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5 by 2025

We consulted 50 experts across five sectors on the most impactful solutions to reduce the employment barriers facing skilled refugees and migrants. We agreed on five priority solutions to implement by 2025:

Fix the skills and qualifications recognition system
Strengthen protections for migrant workers
Review the right to work for people on temporary visas
Scale innovative “tripartite” partnerships between the public, private and NGO sectors.
Reform English language requirements so they are fit-for-purpose.

Stories of starting again

Syrian-born AbdAlmassih had enjoyed a successful IT career that spanned more than two decades in his homeland. A proficient programmer specialising in design, development, and integration, AbdAlmassih built on his experience with prominent corporations and public sector entities in Syria to establish his own IT company. “I love…

Meet Abd IT Professional

Technical

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A passionate storyteller and social activist, Dima brought an impressive career history to her new home in Australia and plans to continue her work in helping solve challenges faced by migrants and refugees. “Everyone has a story worth telling. Bringing people’s stories to life has been my passion…

Meet Journalist Dima

Broadcasting

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Since arriving in Australia in 2023, Syrian refugee and Automation Engineer, Alaa Daher has done all the right things to find employment in his field. He developed his English language skills, gained his driver’s license, had his Bachelor’s degree recognised, and completed work-readiness workshops. Yet the ambitious 37-year-old…

Meet Engineer Alaa

Automation Engineer

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Before being compelled to leave his homeland in search of asylum, Iranian-born Mohsen had successfully attained a Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, specialising in prosthetics and orthodontics. Throughout his studies, he worked in the banking sector, an experience that unexpectedly sparked his interest in finance. Despite his education…

Meet Entrepreneur Mohsen

Business Owner

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Take Action

Join the movement to support skilled refugees and migrants in Australia. Everyone deserves the opportunity to fulfil their life's potential and contribute to the economy.

Together we can realise the Billion Dollar Benefit. Sign up today.

Share our resources with your friends, colleagues and networks to raise awareness.

Spread the word

The more organisations that get behind this campaign, the more traction we can get.

Become an organisational supporter

We launched the roadmap at World Refugee Day Fair in Canberra on June 20.

This report is based on the insights and views of more than 50 experts who attended the Refugee and Migrant Skills and Jobs Summit held at Parliament House in March 2023. Importantly it also consulted various refugees and migrants to incorporate lived experience into the recommendations.