“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.”

On 20th June 2024, Settlement Services International (SSI) launched Billion Dollar Benefit: The economic impact of unlocking the skills potential of migrants. 

In an Australian-first, this research quantifies the economy-wide impact if migrant professionals worked in jobs that match their skills at a similar rate to Australian-born workers. The report shows that the Australian economy would benefit from a $9 billion boost each year if migrants and refugees already in the country could use their full skillset.

Further, closing the migrant skills mismatch would add around 44,000 jobs to the economy each year, increase wages for migrant and non-migrant workers alike, and increase productivity at the industry level.

Click on the links below to learn more.