Guliana knows full well the frustration of being a refugee and unable to get that all important first local job. It all changes once you find a placement.

“By being able to say I have a job, it changes people’s perception of not only me, but other refugees as well - we are working hard and contributing,” she says.

The money has not only helped Guliana and her family, but is buying her further opportunities.

“Not having to look for a job all the time and worry about getting a job and money also helped me to be able to focus on getting back to being a student. I’m now studying at university to hopefully become a high school teacher,” she says.

Professor Betina Szkudlarek from the University of Sydney says research shows employers don’t know what support is available if they’d like to hire refugees, or even where to find refugee candidates.

“Many employers also wrongly assume that the process will be too costly or time-consuming. They are unaware of the work of numerous support organisations that could advance their recruitment strategy, helping the company achieve its strategic objectives while supporting refugees in finding meaningful employment,” Szkudlarek says.

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One organisation doing this work is Community Corporate, a social enterprise which supports companies like Ikea and Woolworths in their refugee inclusion programs. CEO Carmen Garcia says employers play a pivotal role in helping refugees kick-start their working life in Australia.

“Employer-led models like this are the key to creating meaningful economic participation for refugees and asylum seekers in Australia,” she says.

Her organisation meets employers’ needs by sourcing, assessing, training and coaching the refugees into meaningful and sustainable job opportunities. It’s a tailor-made program and, as Garcia points out, in a time of skills shortages employers have “nothing to lose”.

“Refugees bring an abundance of skills, experience and resilience, but most of all a positive attitude to make the most of the opportunity to restart their lives in Australia,” Garcia says.

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