Towards an optimal employment strategy for people seeking asylum in Victoria

This research was commissioned by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) to understand the challenges faced by people seeking asylum with finding employment in Victoria, and to propose practical policy recommendations to improve their employment outcomes and social participation pathways. Data was collected primarily through desktop research, and supplemented by surveys of ASRC program participants (n=59) and employers of people seeking asylum (n=9), along with interviews with ASRC program managers and volunteers (n=3). An economic analysis of ‘targeted employment support’ programs was carried out - including the New South Wales Government’s Refugee Employment Settlement Program (RESP); the Victorian Government’s Jobs Victoria Employment Network (JVEN); the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) Given the Chance for Asylum Seekers (GtCAS) Program and the ASRC Employment Program - to understand the overall economic costs and benefits of each of the programs. This was followed by a qualitative analysis of the survey and interview data.