The Albanese Labor Government is ensuring new arrivals to Australia have support to successfully settle, with a $2.6 million funding boost to the settlement sector workforce.
The funding over the 2023-2024 year will provide great job stability to the sector which helps new migrants find work, homes and other support as people make Australia their home.
Women make up a significant proportion of the settlement sector workforce, with many staff drawn from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
In line with the Albanese Government’s gender equality agenda in jobs and wages, this measure will assist women in the industry stay in this vital area of work.
A recent consultation by the Settlement Council of Australia found that over 85% of organisations had reduced staffing levels or would consider a reduction if funding pressures were not addressed.
The Albanese Government is responding to these concerns in a proactive manner, to ensure sustainable funding for the settlement sector so they can continue to settle new arrivals successfully in Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles
“These workers are supporting some of our most vulnerable residents, ensuring they can successfully make Australia their new home – they deserve secure jobs and good pay.
“Australia is a diverse nation, so settlement work is more important now than ever before if we are to help more people make Australia home and assist them in realising their full potential.”
Quotes attributable to Sandra Elhelw, CEO of the Settlement Council of Australia
“This funding will provide much-needed relief to organisations that are a central pillar of our successful multicultural society. We applaud the government’s commitment in working towards a sustainable settlement sector that can attract and retain a skilled workforce.
“In a recent survey we conducted, we found 87% of organisations delivering the SETS program had reduced staffing levels or indicated that their workforce would reduce if funding pressures were not resolved.
“The effectiveness of our world-class settlement services relies on a dedicated and specialist workforce. The settlement sector workforce is both female dominated, and has a high proportion of workers from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Ensuring settlement services are adequately funded is a matter of equity for both the workforce, and the diverse communities they serve.”
Quote attributable to Michael Zgryza, Community Services Manager, MultiLink Community Services Inc.
“This funding will mean we are able to provide more services to people and communities who need them.
“It could be the difference between being able to keep staffing at optimal levels, being able to keep a program activity running, or providing continued levels of language and cultural support through our bicultural multilingual workers who are themselves from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
“Either way, it is a much-needed funding uplift and some relief in addressing the financial stressors on our SETS services.”
