Researching skilled migrants in Australia

This chapter will explore some of the key issues skilled migrants face in
integrating into Australian workplaces and communities and how researching
some of these issues in the field can be rewarding, insightful, and challenging.
The elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) of researching skilled
migration relates to the diversity of skilled migrants and their respective coun-
tries of origin and birthplaces and to the levels of similarities/commonalities
the skilled migrants share with majority populations within the host country.
Issues arise through the difference in languages spoken and the dominant
language of the host country, which in turn influences interactions, commu-
nications, and understandings. Differences in culture are widely influential
in terms of values, customs, traditions, and norms as well as dominant belief
systems and roles attributed within families and societies. This richness of
diversity also adds a level of complexity across facets of intersectionality
and how this manifests in exclusive and inclusive behaviours in societies
and workplaces. These intersections cover a myriad of facets, not only ethnic
origins but age, gender, marital status, belief systems, sexuality, and disability
and a non-English-speaking background to name just a few. Some of the
DE&I issues explored relate to subtle and direct discrimination and racism,
frustrations in job-seeking activities and career opportunities due to having
overseas-acquired qualifications and experiences devalued when compared
with those who have Australian qualifications and work experience, and gen-
dered forms of discrimination within migrant groups.