Overview of the Employment Snapshot Report
CORE Community Services, a not-for-profit organisation operating in South West Sydney, released its South West Sydney Employment Snapshot Report 2023 at a breakfast function in Warwick Farm. The report provides an overview of the region’s employment landscape, growth priorities, and emerging trends in Refugee and Migrant Settlement Services and Aged and Disability Care.
With over a million residents in the region, there is a pressing need to leverage existing skills and workforce resources to deliver vital services to the community.
Key Stakeholders and Speakers
Approximately 80 business, not-for-profit, and community leaders attended the event. Speakers included:
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Juana Reinoso, CEO, CORE Community Services
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Tom Nance, Manager of Strategy and Delivery, Western Sydney University
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Scott Hudson, CEO, Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club
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Amanda Larkin, CEO, South Western Sydney Local Health District
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Nhu Tran, Aged and Disability Care Service Manager, CORE Community Services
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Shama Pande, Manager of Multicultural Communities, CORE Community Services
Workforce Challenges in South West Sydney
Growing Demand in Aged and Disability Care
Demographic shifts are placing significant pressure on service providers. South West Sydney already has a higher proportion of aged care recipients than the NSW average, and demand is projected to increase by approximately 74% by 2031.
However, aged care is widely seen as a low-status, low-pay occupation, heavily reliant on an international and migrant workforce that has been constrained due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Maximising Migrant and Refugee Skills
South West Sydney’s multicultural population brings substantial skills and professional experience. Yet, many migrants and refugees struggle to have their qualifications recognised and often end up in low-skilled roles. CORE has identified that around 30% of refugees and migrants have transferable skills but face tedious and costly processes to work independently in Australia.
The report also highlighted the underutilised potential of migrant and refugee women, who could contribute significantly to workforce needs.
Collaborative Solutions and Initiatives
Pathways for Refugees into Health
The Pathways for Refugees into Health initiative, a partnership between CORE, TAFE NSW, and the South Western Sydney Local Health District, creates pathways for refugees to enter the healthcare industry through specialised training, support, and employment opportunities.
Supporting Overseas Qualified Medical GPs
CORE has also partnered with Western Sydney University to support overseas qualified medical GPs, helping them integrate into the local healthcare workforce.
Policy Incentives for Employment
Speakers suggested that policymakers could implement initiatives such as earned income tax credits, wage subsidies, and targeted financial assistance programs. These measures would bridge the gap between welfare benefits and earnings, making employment more financially rewarding and encouraging workforce participation.
Training and Skills Development
Access to training programs, skill development initiatives, and career advancement opportunities was emphasised as essential for empowering individuals to increase employability and earnings potential, reducing reliance on long-term welfare.