SSI calls for specialist support for refugee and migrant jobseekers in biggest overhaul of employment services in 30 years

The federal government has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build culturally responsive, specialist support into Australia's employment services system and unlock the economic potential of participants from refugee and migrant backgrounds, according to SSI, a leading settlement and employment provider. 

SSI’s new submission Shaping the future of Employment Services, in response to the government's Employment Services Discussion Paper, commends the government’s intention to ensure employment support goes beyond one size fits all and emphasised the importance of tailoring supports for the full diversity of modern Australia. 

As noted in the Government’s Rebuilding Employment Services report in 2024, specialist employment services that tailor their support to the diverse needs of Australian communities deliver better outcomes for jobseekers. 

SSI's Executive General Manager Service Delivery Eric Harper said that without this tailored support, jobseekers from refugee and migrant backgrounds could miss out. 

“We know from experience, which is actually backed by data, that specialist services help participants achieve job readiness sooner, and get into jobs more quickly, than generalist support. 

“The redesign provides an important opportunity to embed specialist services for people who face barriers that mainstream employment services are not always equipped to address.” 

Mr Harper said SSI’s submission focuses on the need for an employment services system designed for the reality that Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. 

“Jobseekers from these diverse backgrounds face particular employment barriers, such as limited local networks and experience, adjusting to different recruitment processes and difficulty conveying their skills to employers. 

"Our experience across employment and settlement shows people make the most progress when support is strengths-based, culturally safe and trauma-informed, when it's practical and connected to employers, and when it continues beyond someone starting a job," said Mr Harper. 

Mr Harper welcomed the government’s recognition of the need for tailored support.  

“The opportunity now is to translate that principle into the design of the new system, with specialist capability, participant choice and the right intensity of support built in from the outset. That means clear assessment and referral pathways, participant choice, continuity of support and funding that reflects the real cost of delivering high-quality specialist services. 

“Specialisation should be treated as a core service-quality requirement, covering settlement-informed assessment, bilingual and bicultural engagement, interpreter access, English language support for employment, recognition of overseas skills and qualifications, culturally capable employer engagement, and post-placement support,” Mr Harper said. 

SSI’s submission points to its own Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program as evidence of how specialist employment expertise can be combined with settlement knowledge and cultural capability to respond to intersecting barriers to work and connect people to meaningful employment. 

Since November 2025, SSI has delivered specialist IEA services across 39 locations in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, supporting more than 2,500 refugees living with disability, injury or health conditions. It is one of only two IEA refugee-specialist providers nationally. 

“By building on what we know works in specialist employment programs, we can design a system that better harnesses people’s skills and experience, gives employers access to a broader talent pool, and helps refugee and migrant jobseekers build meaningful careers,” Mr Harper said.