Minimising skills wastage

Skilled migration is a key element in Australia’s strategy to address major human capital issues and imperatives. However, underutilisation of professional migrant skills remains a critical problem. 

This report identifies the barriers skilled migrants face and investigates the link between workforce participation and health. The report also recommends innovative strategies to ensure migrants’ skills are not wasted.

The report authors surveyed 508 skilled migrants to WA. Of those surveyed, 14 per cent reported experiencing discrimination and racism because of their migrant background. The findings also show that even though 53.1 per cent of survey respondents indicated they had less-skilled jobs in WA than before they migrated, more than 60 per cent reported finding their occupation meaningful.

Finally, the research recommends changes to Australia’s skilled migration framework in order to assist migrants, employers, industry and government departments.