Settlement Council welcomes Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Report

Oct 13, 2024 | Media Release

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) welcomes the Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Report, concluding a two-year inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration. The report sets out 73 key recommendations and proposes significant reforms.

The Council applauds the priority recommendation on extending settlement services to all migrants regardless of visa category, which was a key focus of SCOA’s submission last year.

SCOA CEO, Ms Sandra Elhelw, said “SCOA has advocated to extend settlement services to all migrants based on need, regardless of visa category, for a long time. It is heartening to see this recommendation set out as a priority moving forward.”

As SCOA highlighted in its representations to the Committee, the majority of current settlement services are limited to refugees and humanitarian entrants, and other visa categories that are ultimately a relatively small subset of the overall migration intake. However, all migrants go through a process of settlement and would benefit from a basic level of navigation support.

Evidence from Canada’s long experience of offering similar services shows that extending settlement support to all new arrivals creates a socially cohesive society and accelerates how quickly migrants can start contributing to the economy. In a globally competitive environment, a supportive approach to migration is critical for attracting highly skilled migrants and achieving Australia’s nation building ambitions.

Other key recommendations include enhanced regional settlement services, improved recognition of migrants’ skills and qualifications, supporting better outcomes for refugees and their families, and establishing an independent national research institute to provide impartial evidence for migration policy.

SCOA Chair, Ms Melissa Monteiro, said “We applaud the Committee for focusing on the important role of settlement in our migration program. Ensuring successive waves of migrants settle well, belong and thrive is a key part of Australia’s successful approach to migration and multiculturalism.”

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The Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Report can be accessed here.

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview, contact Humaira Mehboob at humaira.mehboob@scoa.org.au or on (02) 6282 8515.

About The Settlement Council of Australia

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is the peak body representing migrant and refugee services, with approximately 130 member organisations nationally. We are committed to building an Australia where all people of migrant and refugee backgrounds belong, thrive and experience fulfilling lives.