Working towards wellbeing

Working towards wellbeing

It can be difficult to find work and it is sometimes said that getting a job is all about who you know.

So imagine arriving in a new country, knowing hardly anyone, not speaking the language, and not having any money.

This is the situation for many refugees in 最新糖心Vlog and for refugee women it is harder still, as cultural barriers add to the difficulty of making a new life.

Finding employment is consistently ranked as one of the highest priorities for refugees.听

It allows them to provide for their families, builds connections with the community and improves health and wellbeing.

Two of our Adelaide Law School researchers are looking at ways to smooth the path for refugee women, by developing a policy and practice guide to听getting them into work.

Professor Alex Reilly and Associate Professor Joanna Howe are working听with researchers in psychology and social health听to review current refugee settlement programs and recommend improvements.

They are interviewing up to 40 refugee women, three times over three years, as well as service providers and employers, in a comprehensive three-year study of refugee women鈥檚 experiences in the workforce. The research has a particular focus on the barriers to successful participation in the workforce, and the relationship between employment and well-being.

Professor Reilly says research shows unemployment rates of up to 70 per cent among refugees, with many more underemployed.

鈥淲hen refugee and migrant women do find work, they are more likely to do so in industries with poor pay and conditions.

鈥淩efugee women are some of the most vulnerable in the community.鈥

By connecting women to opportunities and social networks, finding employment can make settling into their new community a positive experience.

Professor Reilly hopes his team鈥檚听research will lead the way for government, academic and community partnerships to develop employment initiatives for refugee women. The ultimate aim is to greatly reduce unemployment and isolation and to greatly increase a sense of belonging.


Featured researcher


Director - Public Law & Policy Research Unit
Adelaide Law School
Faculty of the Professions

Featured researcher


Associate Professor in Law
Adelaide Law School
Faculty of the Professions

Tagged in Societal wellbeing, government and citizenship, law reform, refugee women, social inclusion