Skilled Migrants and Regional Employment

Skilled immigration is a central element of the Australian immigration program, based principally on the notion of two-step immigration. This involves immigrants arriving initially on temporary visas, either as sponsored fixed term employees or as international students, then later applying for permanent residency and Australian citizenship. Australian policy-makers often favour sending skilled immigrants to regional areas, to support skills shortages in those areas. Skilled immigrants face a range of vulnerabilities in the labour market due to their need to work to maintain residency and/or capacity to pay for study costs, and this makes them potentially exploitable for lower pay and poorer working conditions. Coupled with significant differences in social and cultural capital from the host population, skilled migrants may struggle to obtain full recognition of their skills and work experience. In regional areas, immigrants may face a range of social, economic, cultural and labour market barriers to full employment integration. While the problems are well-documented, research into the solutions is still evolving. We are interested in proposals that explore these issues. What are the factors at local, organisational, regional and national level that can help to promote the full and equitable integration of skilled migrants in Australia? How can international research illuminate the multi-level factors that promote successful career paths for skilled migrants?