Shocking but true!!

The skill underutilisation of professional migrant women is costing billions of dollars to the Australian economy. If you are a professional migrant or know someone who is it, you know how hard it is to make it in a different country.

The data is clear: one in four permanent skilled migrants work in a job beneath their skill level. And this is especially true for migrant women, who struggle the most to find professional jobs despite being highly qualified, (8.3% males vs 3.9% females). It is a shocking statistic for some, but the reality of being a professional migrant woman, forcing them to low-skill jobs, poor mental and physical health, and long-term economic risk.

While representation of white women in middle, upper management and leadership roles is slowly increasing, women from diverse cultural backgrounds are still underrepresented across the Australian corporate landscape.

Migration is already a challenge, with hardships such as discrimination, isolation, mental health issues and domestic violence.

Meaningful employment helps migrant women feel engaged in their communities and enhance their safety and wellbeing. These benefits flow through to their families.

Investing in professional migrant women is low risk, low investment and high reward. Not only do they already have knowledge, skills and experience, but as highly educated professionals, these women learn fast and have high adaptability, resilience and ambition to grow.

When a woman is lifted, society is also lifted as a whole. Advancing the role, status, and contribution of migrant women in our communities will grow the talent pool available for the workforce, encouraging more diversity and flexibility in the workplace. They are just missing a fair go!

PMW wants to provide three levels of support for diverse women based on their career stage. For the past two years, we have been helping migrant women find their first professional job in Australia through our flagship program Work Ready –with 60% of our participants gaining professional work during the program or straight after.

We recognise that barriers for professional migrant women don’t end once they land that first job, and for that reason, we want to launch two new programs to keep supporting women in their career paths.

This funding will allow us to run the following two pilot programs:

Breaking Barriers Career Progression Program: a self-leadership program that supports women to become visible and confident contributors in their workplace.

Beyond Stereotypes Leadership Program: a program designed to fast-track diverse women into leadership positions.

As an organisation, PMW has engaged with hundreds of migrant women who have shared their stories. From one-on-one coffee chats to surveys and focus groups, and those experiences are reflected in our programs.

• Our programs are proudly designed by professionals with lived experience, practical knowledge, and best-practice methodologies
• The curriculum has been informed by research and consultation with other women with lived experiences.
• They have been carefully curated with relevant topics in line with the current professional and social trend
• They offer flexible learning activities, to meet the need of all types of learners

• Migrant women want to feel they are valued, that they are active contributors and that they belong. They have told us that they want:
• access to opportunities and resources
• chance to fulfil their individual potential
• contribute their personal best in a personal and professional capacity
• utilise their skills and talents to improve their organisation
• bring far more of themselves to their jobs
• to have a sense of belonging

With a contribution of $50 or more, you get an invitation to attend the session ‘How to clear a path for women to thrive in the workplace’ (more information in the reward section) and receive a tax receipt that you can claim in your tax return as professional training.

Additionally, if you choose one of our pilot programs: Breaking Barriers or Beyond Stereotypes, you can claim that in your tax return too.