Employment Pathways
Work gives more than income. It gives purpose.
Finding work is one of the most important steps toward independence, and one of the most challenging when you’re seeking asylum.
Navigating an unfamiliar job market, translating overseas experience, and overcoming systemic barriers can feel overwhelming.
The ASRC’s Employment Pathways program is here to walk that journey with you.
Our Employment Pathways program is available to people seeking asylum who have work rights living in Melbourne. At our centres in Footscray and Dandenong, we supported 753 people through our program in 2025, helping them assess their skills and experience, identify suitable career pathways, and find meaningful work.
Our services are free of charge.
Are you an employer looking to partner with us? Jump to employer information ↓
What we offer our Job Seekers
We provide personalised, end-to-end employment support for people seeking asylum, from your first conversation with us through to landing a job and beyond.
Our Employment Coordinators will work with you to understand your background, skills, and goals, and help you build a clear pathway toward employment.
Support includes:
- Job Skills Training (JST) — group workshops covering the essentials of job searching, applications, and navigating the Australian job market
- Mock interviews — practice interviews run in partnership with external employers to help you build confidence and get real feedback
- One-on-one career coaching — personalised sessions with a coordinator to work through your goals, refine your approach, and tackle any barriers to employment
- Resume and cover letter support
- Job matching and referrals through our active employer network across Melbourne
- Connections to relevant training and education programs where needed
In 2025, 133 people secured employment through our program, 378 people received one-on-one career coaching, and we referred 270 people to brokered job opportunities with employer partners.
Not sure if you have work rights? Bring your visa document, passport, or Immicard when you visit, and our team can help you check. Visit asrc.org.au/get-help/asrc-services/ for more information.
For Employers
We partner with employers across Melbourne who are committed to diversity and building inclusive workforces. We take the time to understand your needs and match you with skilled, motivated candidates. We also provide information on the rights and conditions of employing people on visas, and offer tailored diversity and inclusion training to help your team get the most out of the partnership.
In 2025, we worked with 77 active employer partners and developed 33 new employer partnerships across Melbourne. Our placement service is free; we do not charge placement fees to employers or the government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our services for employers include recruitment support, candidate matching, and onboarding guidance. We can provide training for both candidates and employers, and ongoing confirmation of our candidates’ work rights. We have deep experience in helping employers interpret the wide range of temporary and bridging visas held by people seeking asylum.
Our Employment Program members range from professional, skilled, and unskilled workers. All candidates have full work rights. They have completed training in Australian workplace culture and employer expectations, and have been screened for job readiness, skills, and availability.
Our services are entirely free. Our funding model allows us to match the right candidate to the right role with the right employer — without placement fees from employers or government.
Reach out via the Employer Inquiry Form, and a member of our team will be in touch. We welcome enquiries about our mentoring programs, partnerships, or diversity and inclusion training.
Employment Coordinators contacts:
phone: 03 9274 9877, email employment@asrc.org.au, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10 am–4 pm
Connect with us
Need help from the ASRC? Call 03 9326 6066 or visit us: Mon-Tue-Thur-Fri 10am -4pm. Closed on Wednesdays.