SSI

The Migration, Pathway to Nation Building Report, released by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration this week, is a welcome recognition of the need for a fair and equitable migration system that is essential for nation-building Australia. We are heartened by the report's emphasis on activating underutilised skilled migrants already in the country, which aligns with our Activate Australia's Skills campaign and reflects a step toward the Canadian model. However, we are disappointed the report was silent on some of our sector's longer-term challenges, such as the four-year waiting period for permanent migrants to access income support. We believe it's essential to advocate for comprehensive solutions that support all migrants in their journey. Read our full response here: https://lnkd.in/gF2qAmEv

"By reforming the skills recognition system, we can activate the potential of these skilled workers. We can address skills shortages. And we can ensure that our communities are better served. If we Activate Australia's Skills, everyone wins." This is what SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said yesterday at the launch of #ActivateAustraliasSkills at Parliament House. Powered by SSI, this campaign brings together a diverse coalition of organisations and leaders from business, unions, and community sectors, all advocating to activate a pool of highly skilled workers to ease talent shortages in Australia. Skill shortages are hurting businesses: ❌ One in three Australian occupations are in shortage ❌ 90% of business leaders worry about skills shortages ❌ $70 billion lost economic activity But Australia does have the skills. Thousands of highly skilled workers already living in Australia are blocked from contributing to their full potential. An endless maze of hurdles unrelated to actual expertise means valuable qualifications aren't recognised. If we reform the skills recognition system, everyone wins. ✔️ Business gets the employees they're looking for ✔️ Regions get the workforce they need to function ✔️ Migrants get the jobs they want ✔️ The economy can get moving again Thanks to our coalition of supporters for joining us in advocating for change, as well as the sector leaders who joined us at Parliament yesterday: Alexandra Waldren, Master Builders Australia, Lisa Annese, Diversity Council Australia Ltd, Jose Antonio M., Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Cassandra Goldie AO, ACOSS Australian Council of Social Service, Carlo Carli, FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia), Craig Foster AM, Tharani Jegatheeswaran, Violet Roumeliotis AM, Correna Haythorpe Australian Education Union, Chantal Mousad, Sam Matti, Australia Post, Dr. Chloe Lim, Michael Wright, Electrical Trades Union of Australia, Hang Vo, Sacred Heart Mission, Brad Chilcott AM, Sandy Fitter, Dane Moores Lily Jiang Joshua Lucey Hannah Gartrell Kath McFarlane Sharon Lanyon Special thanks to President of the Senate, the Hon Sue Lines for hosting our evening networking event following the launch. Learn more and sign the open letter: https://lnkd.in/gVZQMEYc  #ActivateAustraliasSkills 

Do you know a community or faith leader committed to ending violence? Family, domestic, and sexual violence (FDSV) is a pressing issue that affects countless individuals and families across Australia. As we work towards a future defined by respect, safety, and equality for all, the role of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community and faith leaders is more crucial than ever. These leaders hold the key to understanding the unique challenges faced by their communities. By empowering CALD leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need, we can make a significant impact in supporting women and children affected by violence. We're seeking to connect with community and faith leaders, along with sector professionals, to contribute to our workshops focused on preventing family, domestic, and sexual violence (FDSV). These workshops will take place monthly, starting next month, providing a platform to share insights, tackle challenges, and create impactful resources. Expressions of interest close Friday, October 18th. If you know someone who can contribute to this important initiative, please share this opportunity with them! Your connections can help drive change: https://lnkd.in/gYa-n4ya

❌ More than a third of occupations in Australia are experiencing skills shortages.  ❌ Business owners can't find the workers they need to function.  ❌ The economy is struggling with productivity    ✔️ But there’s a solution.   Over 600,000 skilled and qualified migrants are right here ready to work.  We have doctors and electricians driving ride shares, engineers and dentists stacking shelves, and nurses and pharmacists cleaning offices.    We're calling to activate these highly skilled workers by reforming the skills recognition system that blocks them from contributing to their full potential.  Today, we’re launching #ActivateAustraliasSkills at Parliament with a diverse coalition of supporters.     Learn more and sign the open letter: https://lnkd.in/gVZQMEYc 

By championing more diversity and women in our Australia's music industry, we're creating space for new voices, new stories, and a more inclusive cultural narrative. The Australian Women in Music (AWMA) Awards, held this week, embodied this mission, celebrating women from all corners of the industry, and the world, with thought-provoking discussions and unforgettable performances. Here's a look at some of our standout moments: ✨ Our SSI AWMA delegation joined us for a vibrant program that featured exploring Magandjin/Brisbane, panel discussions at the AWMA conference, the First Nations Women's showcase, culminating in attending the award ceremony. This diverse group of artists bonded over their shared passion for music and a genuine willingness to learn from each other's experiences. We're excited to see where these connections lead and can't wait for more opportunities to collaborate. 🏆 Congratulations to Toni Janke, the well-deserved winner of the SSI Diversity in Music Award, which celebrates individual artists and female-driven collaborations championing a more inclusive and culturally diverse music industry. Toni is a pioneering First Nations singer and songwriter with a career spanning over three decades advocating for the inclusion and diversity of First Nations women. Thank you to Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) for your support, Queensland Multicultural Centre (QMC) team for hosting the conference, and AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC for your ongoing dedication to recognising and uplifting diverse talent. #AWMA2024 #diversityinmusic #womeninmusicaus

Last week, our Fairfield office was a hub of support and community, welcoming over 150 newly arrived refugees from across Sydney for our special Smart Saver Day! The event was dedicated to empowering attendees with tools to navigate the rising cost of living, providing expert advice on energy efficiency, financial assistance, healthcare, and government services. It was a successful collaborative effort to help families make informed decisions about their financial well-being and overall quality of life, delivered in partnership with The Smith Family, Anglicare Sydney, Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development GLAPD, Service NSW and Services Australia. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the success of Smart Saver Day!

For more than a decade, SSI has supported tens of thousands of refugees, many arriving from Syria, to settle and build new lives in Fairfield and surrounds. Settlement requires a whole ecosystem of support. Thanks to longstanding partnerships with local organisations, like CORE Community Services and Arab Council Australia , local Government, and religious and ethno-specific groups we have seen social cohesion in the area flourish. Over this time, the individuals we supported to settle in the area have laid their roots in Fairfield, starting school, setting up successful business, like Star Sweet, and giving back to the community. To some former SSI clients, giving back, means using their lived experience to help other new arrivals starting a new life in Australia as part of our humanitarian settlement team. The success of this rich, multicultural suburb speaks to the strength of our settlement system, the welcoming nature of Australians, and the social cohesion that thrives when all arms of society work together to ensure newcomers have the opportunity to realise their full potential. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gk3pWB94

"I never thought I would be back on stage so soon." Axel, a 33-year-old refugee from Venezuela, once performed to packed crowds in Colombia. Now, years after leaving his home country, he's strumming again—this time on a different stage, with SSI's #refugee band. When Axel arrived in Australia in 2023, he was starting from scratch. But through SSI's Humanitarian Settlement Program, he found more than just a place to settle; he found a new musical family. Axel was introduced to SSI's Arts Hub and became the guitarist and singer of the SSI refugee band. The band, made up of talented refugees from all over the world, isn't just about performing. It's about providing the emotional and social support newcomers need to adjust to life in Australia. SSI ensures that musicians have what they need—from instruments donated by Music for Refugees to spaces for creative workshops at locations like the Inner West Council's Refugee Welcome Center. These sessions allow Axel and his bandmates to experiment, collaborate, and share their stories through the universal language of music. Today, Axel is not only rebuilding his music career but also finding his footing in Sydney. Through SSI's additional settlement supports, he's received guidance with job hunting, enhanced his production skills, and found a community that allows him to continue making music. Learn more about Axel here: https://lnkd.in/gTcQUTPK

Learning and development in the early years of a child’s life sets the foundation for their future trajectory. The Productivity Commission’s final report on the Early Childhood Education and Care inquiry, released today, is a welcome step towards levelling the playing field for all children, particularly in reducing developmental disparities among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children. The report outlines a vision for a universal Early Childhood Education system that prioritises improved affordability, inclusion, and flexibility. This is key to securing Australia’s social, cultural, and economic future. We know from our own work with communities across Australia that children from CALD backgrounds are more likely to be developmentally vulnerable when starting school and less likely to access early childhood education. This is also highlighted in our Stronger Starts, Brighter Futures II research, conducted jointly with researchers Sally Brinkman and Benjamin Lam at Education Futures, University of South Australia, which aligns with the Productivity Commission’s findings. Almost a third of children from CALD backgrounds living in the most disadvantaged socio-economic areas were developmentally vulnerable compared to 1 in 6 of their peers living in the most advantaged areas. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gzrNUdQh

Everyone deserves the opportunity to develop their creative potential and contribute meaningfully to Australia's cultural life, regardless of gender or background. Diversity enriches our cultural landscape, reflecting the unique identity of our nation—and we all benefit. That's why, year after year, we carefully select and support a delegation of talented women to participate in an exclusive program of industry talks, discussions, learning, and creative collaboration—culminating in the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) and its prestigious black carpet event. Later this month, these extraordinary music professionals will head to Meanjin/Brisbane to connect, collaborate, and celebrate with icons of Australia's music industry. 🌟 Meet our SSI AWMA Delegation 2024! 🎶 🎸 Karen Arango: Colombian singer-songwriter and classical guitarist blending Latin American folklore with jazz and pop, now pursuing a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Brisbane. 💃 Danny Marcela Corredor Carrillo: Colombian artist weaving Caribbean rhythms into her electrifying performances, from fire dancing to music, keeping her homeland's traditions alive. 🎼 Vuche: Nigerian-Australian artist fusing her cultural heritage with soulful ballads and anthems. Her debut EP is set to release later this year—stay tuned! 🎶 Sandhya Joshi: Nepali singer and 'Nepal Idol' top 10 finalist, blending folk and Western genres while balancing her passion for music with social work. 🎤 Magdalena Mira: Chilean-born Latin/Jazz fusion singer combining South American rhythms with Australian influences, captivating audiences with her soulful performances. 📷 Liza Moscatelli: Filipina-Italian multidisciplinary artist on Birpai country using photography, video, and design to explore decolonisation and empower underrepresented voices. In partnership with AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN MUSIC and Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), we're excited to bring this incredible delegation to #AWMA, amplifying the voices of diverse female artists and giving them the recognition they deserve in the Australian music industry.