MEDIA RELEASE: Labor urged to tap overlooked talent pool as nearly 15,000 people seeking asylum remain locked out of work

Media Release, Saturday 25 July 2026

As the Australian Labor Party gathers for its National Conference today, actors from business, unions, and the human rights community have come together to urge the Albanese Government to allow people seeking asylum to fill workforce gaps, creating value for employers, strengthening the workforce, and enabling people seeking asylum to support themselves while their refugee claims are being assessed.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) will host a fringe event bringing together IKEA Australia, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and refugee business owner Arian Rezaei to discuss why restoring work and study rights is a practical reform that would strengthen Australia’s workforce, reduce poverty and give thousands of people the chance to rebuild their lives.

Despite widespread workforce shortages across industries including healthcare, construction, early childhood education and the care sector, around 15,000 people seeking asylum are currently unable to work because of visa restrictions or because they are waiting for a further bridging visa to be granted.

Denying people seeking asylum the right to work forces them into unnecessary poverty and dependence. People who are ready and willing to support themselves are instead left relying on charities for food, housing and other essentials while they wait years for decisions on their protection claims. The policy undermines people’s dignity, independence and wellbeing, preventing them from contributing despite having the skills, experience and determination to do so. IKEA Australia and the ETU both have found that as soon as people have the opportunity to work, they become a huge asset to their employer and their industry. 

The ASRC is calling on the Labor party to commit to allowing people seeking asylum the right to work and study at all stages of the protection process. In Government, Labor could easily implement this change without the need for new legislation, and it has previously been contained in the Labor Party platform. From IKEA Australia, the message is clear – they would welcome more people seeking asylum into their talent pool if they had the right to work.

Lauren Sinfield, Public Affairs & Advocacy, IKEA Australia & New Zealand said: 

Over the past six years, we’ve welcomed over 280 incredible participants to our Refugee Workforce Inclusion program. At a time when many retailers continue to face labour shortages, refugees and people seeking asylum represent a highly capable and often overlooked talent pool. Too many people arrive in Australia with valuable skills, experience and a strong desire to contribute, yet face barriers to meaningful employment. 

Our experience at IKEA Australia has shown that when we create opportunities for people to succeed, we gain dedicated co-workers, fresh ideas and valuable skills. The individuals who have joined our Refugee Workforce Inclusion program have enriched our business, strengthened our culture and helped us build more inclusive teams, demonstrating the value that can be unlocked when people are given the opportunity to thrive.”

James Miranda, Electronic Trades Union NSW & ACT Branch said: 

“Forcing people seeking asylum into poverty while they wait for decisions helps nobody. We should be creating pathways into skilled long-term careers for people to support themselves, their families and their communities.”

“For many working people, a trade isn’t just a job. It’s a pathway to home ownership, financial stability and a better life for the next generation. People seeking asylum who want to contribute, work hard and build a future here should have the opportunity to pursue those same outcomes.”

Arian Rezaei, business owner Ayla’s cafe said:

“I know this pain because I experienced it myself. I came to Australia when I was 21 and spent some of the best years of my life without work rights. I know how hard and unfair it is. Many refugees and people seeking asylum have already experienced trauma, fear and loss. Taking away their right to work only makes them suffer more. Work is not only about money. It gives people dignity, independence, confidence and hope. We need to put humanity at the centre of our decisions. Today, I employ and support refugees, and I see how having the opportunity to work can help someone rebuild their life and feel part of the community.”

Jana Favero, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre said: 

“Granting people the right to work and study while they’re seeking asylum is common sense, and hard to believe it’s not already happening. It’s unnecessarily cruel when people are already here in our communities to lock them out of the workforce. Allowing people to work to support themselves and their families is not only the compassionate thing to do, it also unlocks huge economic potential. It’s clear that both business and the unions want this to happen – the only barrier is Labor themselves.”

ENDS

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:

Natasha Blucher, media@asrc.org.au, 0412 034 821

Footnotes

About IKEA Australia’s Refugee Workforce Inclusion Program

IKEA Australia has partnered with Community Corporate, a certified refugee inclusion social enterprise, for more than six years to support refugees and people seeking asylum into meaningful employment opportunities.

What began as a pilot program with paid work placements has become a permanent part of IKEA Australia’s recruitment approach. Since its inception, the program has welcomed 280 participants from 23 cultural backgrounds, speaking 43 languages, into employment pathways across the business.

The program has delivered benefits for both participants and IKEA co-workers, with more than 300 workplace buddies helping create inclusive onboarding experiences while building their own cultural competence, communication and mentoring skills. The initiative has strengthened employee engagement, fostered a more inclusive workplace culture and enhanced IKEA’s ability to connect with diverse communities and customers.

IKEA Australia continues to advocate for greater workforce participation opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum and encourages employers across Australia to play an active role in creating pathways to meaningful employment. Together, businesses, governments, community organisations and the broader community can help unlock the talent, skills and potential that newcomers bring to Australia.

For more information about IKEA Australia’s refugee employment initiatives, visit: IKEA Australia Refugee Workforce Inclusion – IKEA Australia

For media enquiries or interviews, contact:
Natasha Blucher on 0412 034 821 or media@asrc.org.au