Australia takes great pride in its status as a culturally diverse nation. Annually, we extend a warm welcome to approximately 190,000 migrants hailing from various corners of the globe, encompassing skilled individuals, family members, as well as those seeking humanitarian assistance through visas. Based on the most recent census data, the leading countries of origin for migration to Australia are India, China, England, the Philippines, and South Africa, while Vietnam, Iraq, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and South Korea constitute the remaining nations within the top ten.
As migration picks up again after the COVID border closures, we’re looking at what it means to migrate to Australia in 2023.
This article will look at seven key challenges that new migrants face as they settle into a new life in Australia.
1. Adjusting to a New Culture
The Australian way of life can be vastly different from other cultures, and depending on where you have arrived from, everything from the language to unfamiliar customs, etiquette, and social expectations may need learning from scratch. In some cases, these things can be in direct opposition to the way you have grown up, making adapting to a new way of life overwhelming.
Overcoming these challenges takes time and mutual understanding as migrants work out the delicate balance between preserving their own heritage and embracing the local culture. There are many local community organizations that you can join or support to help make this difficult, and sometimes lonely, adjustment easier.
2. Employment Struggles
While 59% of migrants are part of the Skilled migration stream, this doesn’t guarantee work once they arrive. In fact, securing a job is one of the biggest challenges facing new arrivals.
Having limited knowledge of the local job market, no local experience, and often unrecognized qualifications can place some big barriers in the way of finding meaningful employment.
Reaching out to family and friends or the services of migrant employment agencies is a great place to start to understand the job-seeking process and find the right job to launch your Australian career.
3. Housing and Accommodation
Australia is currently grappling with a challenging situation in the rental market during the year 2023, rendering it arduous for individuals, including newly arrived migrants, to secure suitable accommodation. This predicament encompasses various complexities arising from a simultaneous surge in demand and a concomitant decline in housing supply.
The 2021 census showed a huge increase in single-person households, partly due to the impact of the COVID lockdowns on shared houses and relationships. The housing market has been under strain in recent years, as the number of new households has increased while the construction industry has slowed down.
This has led to a shortage of new homes, which has in turn driven up rent prices. As a result, affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Compounding the issue for migrants is the challenge of navigating new rental markets, without local references and having difficulties understanding lease agreements.
4. Education and Skills Recognition
In terms of education and training, Australian institutions may not uniformly acknowledge qualifications obtained from all nations. Such circumstances may give rise to impediments, misunderstandings, and anxiety when seeking enrollment for yourself or your children in educational pursuits.
There are migration services available that will help with translations, documentation, and advice on how to have your existing educational level and qualifications recognized so you can pick up where you left off.
5. Mental Health and Social Isolation
The migration process and the resulting move to a new country are long and stressful, so it’s not surprising that many migrants suffer from stress and anxiety during the proceedings. Making new friends and establishing a support network can take time, and many migrants experience loneliness and isolation while they work towards integrating into the local community.
Joining local communities, sporting clubs, or interest groups can be a great way to meet new people, learn about new cultures, and beat the negative effects of social isolation at the same time.
6. Access to Healthcare
The Australian healthcare system, combining Medicare and private health insurance, may appear perplexing to individuals unfamiliar with it, resulting in challenges for new migrants seeking timely healthcare. Moreover, linguistic obstacles and cultural distinctions can add complexity to locating appropriate avenues for assistance.
As a permanent migrant, access to Medicare is typically provided upon arrival, enabling the immediate availability of cost-free public healthcare services. By calling or visiting a Medicare office, you can get help enrolling in Medicare. Let the office know ahead of time if you need translation services or additional help with the process.
7. Financial Challenges
Moving to a new country doesn’t come cheap, with travel, temporary accommodation, and job seeking all taking a big toll on finances. There are some easy money-saving tips that you can follow to make sure your start-up money stretches as far as possible. Having a comprehensive grasp of your local transportation system and associated expenses, familiarizing yourself with reputable grocery stores, making bulk purchases whenever feasible, and comparing energy bills to optimize cost-efficiency are effective strategies for minimizing your daily expenditures.
You should also compare NBN providers and mobile phone plans because Australian providers vary widely in cost. In the short term, it can be financially savvy to live in a shared house or temporary accommodation where utilities and bills are included.
Conclusion
Relocating to a different nation is imbued with potential and enthusiasm; however, it can also evoke stress and solitude as one endeavors to settle into a new existence far from familiar grounds. Migrants encounter numerous hurdles in the initial stages as well as in the course of their ongoing journey.
Finding a support network, a place to call home, and meaningful employment will help you feel established in your new life and optimistic for the future. Make sure you reach out for help whenever you need it to keep things on track.
Also read: Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs and the Role of Immigration Consultants in Assisting Applicants
