Australia's workforce is built on the skills of people from all over the world. Yet many people who arrive with years of work experience and qualifications find it hard to find work that matches what they can do. Engineers drive taxis, nurses work as cleaners and experienced managers take entry-level roles, not because they lack ability, but because their experience is hard for Australian employers to read.
This article looks at what people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds bring, the barriers they face and the pathways open to them.
What people bring
- Languages: speaking more than one language is a genuine asset in customer service, health, community services, tourism, trade and many other fields
- International experience: different ways of working, solving problems and managing teams
- Qualifications and professional skills: often at a high level, gained through study and work overseas
- Adaptability: building a new life in a new country takes determination and resourcefulness
- Cultural understanding: helping workplaces serve an increasingly diverse community
Common barriers
The barriers people face are often about recognition rather than ability:
- overseas qualifications that are not automatically recognised in Australia
- no Australian work history or local references
- unfamiliarity with Australian job applications, resumes and interview styles
- confidence in English for workplace communication, even when everyday English is strong
- licensing or registration requirements for some occupations
Getting skills and qualifications recognised
There are several ways to have overseas skills and qualifications recognised, depending on the occupation. Some regulated professions require registration with a professional body. For many vocational occupations, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through a registered training organisation can assess existing skills against an Australian qualification, so people do not have to repeat training in things they already know.
Our free guide at rpl.org.au (opens in a new tab) explains how RPL works in plain English. Through our partner RTOs, participants can explore whether RPL, a short course or a full qualification is the best fit for the work they want to do.
Building local experience
Local experience and references matter to many employers. Short-term roles, volunteering in a related field, or entry-level positions with a clear pathway can all help build an Australian work history quickly. The important thing is that these steps lead somewhere, rather than becoming a long-term ceiling.
Pre-employment workshops can also help people understand Australian workplace expectations and practise presenting their experience in the way local employers expect.
Experience gained overseas is still experience. The task is helping employers see it.
How we can help
We work with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds to understand the experience they bring, plan the recognition or training that would open doors, and connect with employers who value international skills. Each participant has one point of contact, and support continues after they start work.
If you would like to talk about your next step, get in touch or call 1800 993 557. Settlement services and community organisations can read about how referrals and consent work.