Why care?

Stronger economy: Most refugees are of working age and many have left successful careers behind. Fully utilising people’s skills and experience is better for our economy.

Social cohesion: Self-sufficiency through work gives refugees economic security, the chance to contribute to the society that has given them safety, and a powerful sense of belonging. Getting to know refugee colleagues builds closer community ties.

Source of talent and loyalty: Refugees are motivated to succeed, can help businesses deliver better services to emerging communities, and are loyal employees.

Corporate social responsibility: There are 25.9 million refugees in the world. Play your part in tackling this global refugee crisis by giving refugees a chance to secure their financial future.

7 things that were invented by refugees

Did you know the internet, doughnuts and the theory of relativity were all invented by refugees?

Media

Sodexo wins Industry diversity and inclusion award for refugee employment program. Listen to this Australian Resources and Energy Group podcast.

Untapped potential (The CEO Magazine, June 2023)

EPIC training program provides pathways for refugee engineers (Engineers Australia create, Sep 2021)

Refugees and COVID-19: how companies are stepping up (Tent Partnership for refugees webinar, May 2020)

“We can learn from one another”: How supporting refugees makes Australia’s business culture better (B&T, June 2021)

“Building back better”: How business can support refugees in the post-COVID world (Bloomberg New Economy Forum, May 2020)

The issue

People who have found safety in Australia are highly motivated to build a new life - to become self-reliant, and give back.

But starting from scratch is not easy. Whether as a job seeker or in starting a business, refugees experience more obstacles than most. They have limited social networks, no local work experience, and the way we recruit is unfamiliar. Many can’t work in their field of expertise because their qualifications are not recognised here, or they can’t afford the fees.

Working together, we can remove these obstacles and level the playing field.

“I’ve always seen resettlement and integration as an opportunity - a worthwhile social investment that will drive growth, prosperity, and diversity, and enrich host societies in countless ways.”

— Richard Branson, Virgin Group

"The minute a refugee has a job, that’s the minute they stop being a refugee. That’s when the magic happens."
Hamdi Ulakaya, CEO of Chobani Yoghurt, Founder of the Tent Partnership for Refugees

Australian Employer Network for Refugee Inclusion

Humans Like Us builds the capacity of people supporting refugees in their working life by creating opportunities to connect, share experiences, collaborate and build best practice.

Many leading Australian employers have experienced the benefits of welcoming refugees into their workforce. They know this is good for the country and for business. If you’re an employer who’s welcomed refugee colleagues or want to know more, the Australian Employer Network for Refugee Inclusion is here to support you.

You can be part of building a stronger, thriving community together.

Explore this website to learn how other companies have already tapped into a rich source of international talent and make a real difference to someone’s life.

Humans Like Us works closely with the Tent Partnership for Refugees, an international non-profit that is mobilizing the private sector to improve the lives and livelihoods of refugees around the world.

Learn more