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Refugees are a Valuable but Overlooked Economic Resource, and it is Time to Update Our Approach to Migration

Author

Listed:
  • Sally Baker
  • Stephanie Cousins
  • Claire Higgins
  • Massimiliano Tani

Abstract

The view that welcoming refugees represents a cost to a country's welfare services has become anachronistic; nowadays refugees are increasingly recognised for their high levels of education and skills, and their ability to make an economic contribution to a host country. Yet, most states' approach to migration management prevents displaced people from migrating based on the human capital that they can supply. Australia is trialling a new approach that enables refugees to access skilled migration through employer sponsorship. This article describes the pilot project and suggests ways to encourage employers to view refugees as a valuable solution to workforce shortages.

Suggested Citation

  • Sally Baker & Stephanie Cousins & Claire Higgins & Massimiliano Tani, 2022. "Refugees are a Valuable but Overlooked Economic Resource, and it is Time to Update Our Approach to Migration," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 55(2), pages 273-280, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ausecr:v:55:y:2022:i:2:p:273-280
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8462.12467
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Zhiming Cheng & Ben Zhe Wang & Lucy Taksa, 2021. "Labour Force Participation and Employment of Humanitarian Migrants: Evidence from the Building a New Life in Australia Longitudinal Data," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(4), pages 697-720, February.
    4. Mirko Guaralda & Greg Hearn & Marcus Foth & Tan Yigitcanlar & Severine Mayere & Lisa Law, 2020. "Towards Australian Regional Turnaround: Insights into Sustainably Accommodating Post-Pandemic Urban Growth in Regional Towns and Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jenny Phillimore & Marisol Reyes Soto & Gabriella D’Avino & Natasha Nicholls, 2025. "Community Sponsorship and Complementary Pathways: Global Movements for Resettling Refugees Driven by Local Actors," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 2045-2069, December.
    2. Liwen Guo & Massimiliano Tani, 2026. "Migrants, Refugees and Employer Discrimination," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 64(1), pages 101-113, March.
    3. Sally Baker & Louise Olliff & Claire Higgins & Ali Reza Yunespour & Lisa Button & Jemma Bailey, 2025. "Harnessing Possibilities and Synergies to Refugee Complementary Migration Pathways in Australia: A Multiple Streams Analysis," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 2219-2240, December.

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