Key Points
- A recent Australian Computer Society report highlights challenges faced by skilled ICT migrants.
- The study draws on nearly 2,000 individuals who moved to Australia between 2017 and 2022.
- More than half of respondents identified a ‘lack of local experience’ as a significant obstacle in securing employment.
Vishal Mittal saw a 'promising future ahead' in Australia after immigrating from India in 2022.
He arrived in Canberra armed with a bachelor's degree in computer science and seven years' experience in the IT industry. But he said he found significant hurdles in the form of his temporary visa status, a shortage of jobs, and a 'lack of local experience'.
"After enrolling in a master's program at the University of Canberra, I struggled to secure any sort of employment opportunity in the ICT sector," Mittal said.
Vishal Mittal now works as a data analyst in Canberra. Credit: Vishal Mittal
"Following the completion of my master's degree, I've now successfully secured a role as a data analyst," he said.
Navigating IT migration in Australia
Mittal's experience is not an isolated one.
Nearly 60 percent of Australia's ICT professionals hail from overseas, with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) projecting a demand for 1.3 million tech workers by 2030.
A new report from the ACS titled sheds light on the workings of the existing skilled migration system in Australia.
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The study, encompassing nearly 2,000 individuals who migrated to Australia between 2017 and 2022, reveals that some ICT-skilled migrants report experiencing discrimination based on visa status, race or ethnicity.
A considerable number also highlighted a 'lack of local experience' as a major barrier to job acquisition.
Although 73 per cent of individuals would advocate for relocating to Australia, concerns arise regarding the intricate nature of the migration procedure.
The report found 55 per cent of respondents expressing difficulties in securing employment due to visa restrictions and a portion of migrants (28 per cent) reported experiencing discrimination based on their migrant status.
"Aside from these experience-related factors, the biggest challenge reported was the lack of jobs in the [geographic] areas where they want to work, cited by 25 per cent of ICT-skilled migrants. A further one in ten (11 per cent) felt discriminated against due to their race/ethnicity," the report said.
The ACS study revealed that 55 per cent of participants encountered job search hurdles due to visa limitations. Source: Getty / Getty Images/Alexander W Helin
Furthermore, 85 per cent reported finding their first job within two years, with the remaining 15 percent stating that it took them longer than two years.
"While nearly all ICT-skilled migrants eventually secure employment, a considerable number devote up to a year in pursuit, a critical phase during which substantial support becomes essential due to the stress and uncertainty inherent in the process," the report said.
Regional movements
The report also found that a growing cohort of migrants with ICT skills are residing beyond the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
"Policies should continue to support regional migration initiatives, possibly providing additional incentives for migrants and employers in regional areas. There may also be a need to ensure that infrastructure and professional opportunities in these areas keep pace with the growing population of skilled workers," the report suggested.
Aamir Qutub is the CEO and founder of Geelong-based company Enterprise Monkey, a multinational digital organisation. Source: Supplied / Supplied by Aamir
"There is still significant work to be done in regional areas, particularly in infrastructure and support systems, to fully harness the potential of ICT migrants," the 35-year-old CEO said.
Qutub said the new report struck a chord with him.
He arrived in Australia in 2012 with an engineering background and a few years' overseas experience in coding and app development.
Before landing an internship at an IT firm, he said he worked odd jobs like delivering newspapers and airport cleaning.
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According to Qutub, little has changed in the ICT employment landscape since then, emphasising the need for increased efforts from the Australian government.
"In last few years post-COVID, there have been IT migrants from India who have reached out to me after encountering similar difficulties," he said.
'Employers missing out'
The report further highlights that the majority of ICT-skilled migrants in Australia plan to stay in the country for the long term, with many aspiring to obtain permanent residency (PR) or citizenship.
Consequently, the suggested policy approach could involve streamlining the process for obtaining PR and citizenship to attract and retain global talent, the report suggested.
Siobhan O’Sullivan, ACS Chief Growth Officer, said employers were missing out on a great resource by overlooking recent migrants.
Siobhan O’Sullivan, ACS Chief Growth Officer. Credit: Gavin Jowitt/Gavin Jowitt
On migrants facing discrimination, O'Sullivan said, "The area the government could possibly be doing more is in letting employers understanding their responsibilities and what constitutes discrimination along with an education campaign highlighting what discrimination is and how to deal with it."
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According to her, the survey reached out to 64,000 former skilled migrants. Over 60 percent of respondents hailed from the subcontinent, with half of those hailing from India, she said.
