Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman, has issued a strong warning about the growing challenges faced by skilled migrants, saying they are hitting roadblocks in nearly every area of life — from employment to housing, healthcare, and social integration.
Despite coming to Australia through legal skilled migration programs, many migrants report being underemployed, undervalued, and even excluded from opportunities due to their background, accent, or ethnicity. According to the Commissioner, this form of systemic discrimination is often subtle but deeply damaging, contributing to long-term disadvantage and mental stress.
🚫 Key Barriers Identified:
Employment Discrimination: Skilled migrants with international qualifications and years of experience often find themselves working in roles far below their capabilities, or struggle to even get interviews due to racial bias or local “experience” requirements.
Housing Inequality: Many report being denied rental opportunities or treated unfairly in the housing market, particularly migrants from African, South Asian, or Middle Eastern backgrounds.
Healthcare Access: Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and sometimes direct prejudice can make it harder for migrants to access quality healthcare.
Social Exclusion: A lack of genuine inclusion in community life, from social clubs to workplace networks, creates feelings of isolation and prevents migrants from fully settling.
🗣️ What the Commissioner Is Calling For:
Commissioner Sivaraman is urging both state and federal governments to fully support the National Anti-Racism Framework, which aims to tackle both overt and institutional racism through policy reforms, public education, and stronger protections.
“We’re seeing a terrifying surge in structural and casual racism that’s affecting not only our First Nations people but also migrants and communities connected to international conflicts,” he said.
This renewed warning comes at a time when Australia is heavily reliant on skilled migration to fill workforce gaps, especially in health, engineering, and tech. Yet, many qualified migrants feel they are being set up to fail once they arrive — a contradiction that risks both economic inefficiency and social division.
This revelation has triggered a wave of emotional responses and personal stories across social media, with many migrants echoing the Commissioner’s warning — and others challenging or defending the system.
Here’s a snapshot of what people are saying online:
Leave a Reply