Logan program expands support after 130-person pilot
A new skills recognition service for migrant women will launch in Logan, Queensland, on 26 August 2026 after a pilot supported more than 130 participants from more than 40 countries of origin.
The Women’s Employment and Skills Pathways program helps migrant women navigate Australia’s skills and qualifications recognition system. Settlement Services International runs the service, while the Minderoo Foundation is funding it for three years.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will officially launch the program at SSI’s Logan Hub on Wednesday 26 August. SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis, Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman and program participants are also due to speak.
Pilot participants came from 40 countries
The pilot operated from Logan and also offered online support. Participants were based in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and the Northern Territory.
Women in the program held qualifications in healthcare, social work, engineering, teaching, law, commerce and hospitality, among other fields.
SSI describes the service as the first program of its kind in Australia. The non-profit says it supports each woman’s employment journey while also targeting workforce shortages across several industries.
Meanwhile, the program is aligned with Activate Australia’s Skills, a campaign led by SSI and backed by more than 130 partner organisations. It is also informed by the campaign’s report, Activate Her Skills: Harnessing the economic potential of migrant women through skills recognition.
According to SSI, that report found more than 340,000 migrant women are working below their skill and qualification levels. SSI links that gap partly to Australia’s complex skills recognition system and a lack of tailored support.
Roumeliotis said, “Australia cannot afford to leave talent on the sidelines. Every day, highly skilled migrant women are working below their qualifications or struggling to navigate complex recognition processes.”
Hartman said every woman should have a fair opportunity to participate in the economy, realise the value of her skills and qualifications, and pursue her career ambitions.
He said too many migrant women face barriers to having their skills, qualifications and professional experience recognised in Australia. Minderoo says the program aims to remove those barriers.
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