Thrive Refugee Enterprise (Thrive), the Australian NGO supporting refugees into small business and employment, joined Australia Post Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Paul Graham and executives of Australia Post to launch its first Refugee Employment and Engagement Action Plan.
Thrive has collaborated with Australia Post on the Action Plan which critically sits alongside the business’ broader diversity and inclusion, Indigenous and disability programs. The three-year Action Plan (2024- 2027) further supports opportunities for Australia Post as a ‘refugee-friendly employer’. It lays out a strategy to attract, recruit and retain refugees in Australia Post’s workforce and support refugees to achieve their full potential.
Thrive Co-Founder and Executive Chair, Huy Truong said, “Australia Post has been a valued partner of Thrive Refugee Enterprise since 2020 when the two organisations came together to create a pathway for refugees into small business ownership as courier contractors. Employers across the country have developed impactful employment strategies and action plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island and Disability, and it’s game changing to see an enterprise like Australia Post developing and showcasing a corporate refugee employment action plan. We were excited to collaborate on this plan.
“As one of Australia’s largest and most trusted employers, Australia Post has made a demonstrated commitment to refugee inclusion. Through the Refugee Employment and Engagement Action Plan, Australia Post is providing a supported pathway for refugees into employment with an inclusive workplace. We hope this initiative will be both a beacon and a significant blueprint for other employers across Australia.”
Australia Post recognises the value in the resilience and determination refugees bring and through the Plan aims to build on the inclusive and supportive environment they have created. As part of the Plan, Australia Post and Thrive are piloting a collective impact approach to accelerate refugee employment, collaborating with key players in the ecosystem including Government and refugee settlement service providers. This activity is modelling the value of a central point of coordination - a focal point for employers seeking to increase refugee employment in their diversity and inclusion plans for the future.
Australia Post Executive General Manager – People and Culture, Sue Davies said the plan is an important step in Australia Post’s commitment to refugees.
“We are proud to be among the first Australian organisations to develop a strategic action plan and holistic approach to refugee employment and engagement. Australia Post has long been an employer that supports refugees who are making a life for themselves and their families in this country, and our first-ever Refugee Action Plan outlines our commitments to help refugees and asylum seekers thrive.”
View the Australia Post Refugee Employment Action Plan (2024 – 2027)
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Annie Walsh at Thrive m. 0404 315 875, awalsh@tre.org.au
About Thrive Refugee Enterprise
Thrive’s purpose is to provide pathways to economic opportunities for refugees that will enable greater financial inclusion and more effective settlement. Our vision is for all refugees to be economically empowered, integrated, prospering and contributing back to Australian society. Since 2017, Thrive has supported the creation of over 750 refugee-led small businesses, collectively generating annual revenues more than $75M. In doing so it has provided business support to 3,000+ refugees.