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The Journey of New Greek Migrants to Australia:

Opportunities and Challenges

A reseArCh sTudy uNderTAkeN by The AusTrAliAN Greek WelfAre sOCieTy

Th

e Jou

rney

of n

ew G

reek M

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sTralia

: OppO

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australian Greek welfare society, november 2014

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Australian Greek Welfare society. requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Australian Greek Welfare society, 7 union street, brunswick, Victoria, 3056.

Print: ISBN 978-0-09941982-0-4 eBook: isbN 978-0-09941982-1-1

©



This repOrT wAs prepAred by Dr Constantine tsingas

FOr The AusTrAliAN Greek welFAre sOCieTy oCtober 2014

the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes 3

ACkNOwledGeMeNTs

The Australian Greek welfare society would like to acknowledge the contribution of the following people:

•TinaDouvos,DeputyDirector,ManagerFamily&CommunityServicesUnit.TinaplayedapivotalroleinidentifyingtheneedforthisstudythroughtheworkofherstaffworkingwithnewarrivalsfromGreeceandCyprus.Tina’scommentsandassistance inthedirectionoftheoverall reporthavebeengreatlyvalued.

•AnatoliAmanatidis,ResearchAssistant,forherextensiveworkintranscribingallthedigitallyrecordedinterviews,completingtheliteraturereviewandcommentssheprovided.

•DimitraLagoudakis,CaseWorker,whodevelopedtheSurveytool,andBobMeeuwisenfromOisterOnlineSurveyswhoassistedinrefiningtheSurveyquestions,priortotheauthor’sengagement.

•Bobandhis team foremailingout the surveys, receiving the responses;collating thedataandundertakingsomepreliminaryanalysisinacheerfulandgracefulmanner.

•MarialenaMichanetziforassistingwithpromotingtheSurveyonradioandinthecommunityandinundertakingdataentry.

•GiannisMichanetzis,SeniorTeamLeaderRespiteandBrokeredServicesProgram,MariettaKokkas,Administration/FinanceOfficer,JohnLioupas,ManagerBusinessUnitandNikkiEfremidis,ManagerCoordinated Care and Training unit for identifying potential focus group participants and for their helpfulcommentsthroughoutthevariousdraftsegmentsofthereport.

•To Paraskevi Tsingas AGWS Volunteer Co-ordinator for her insightful commentary on culturaldistinctionsrelatingtoAustralianGreeksandnewarrivalsfromGreece.

•SpecialthankstoKostasMarkos,HonoraryGeneralSecretaryoftheGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoriaforgenerouslysharinghisknowledgeandunderstandingoftheissuesandchallengespertainingtonewarrivalsfromGreeceandCyprus.

•Warm appreciation to all the survey respondents and focus group participants as well as allother informantsthatgenerouslyprovidedtheirvaluabletimeandknowledgeunder immenselychallengingcircumstancestoensurethattheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety’sinitiativepositivelyinfluences the development of policy and appropriate service responses for new arrivals fromGreeceandCyprus.


CONTeNTs

abbreViations 6

glossary 7

foreworD 9

eXeCutiVe suMMary 11

strategic direction and recommendations 12

introDuCtion 15

organisation of rePort 15

Part 1: towarDs a suPPort systeM for newly arriVeD greek Migrants to australia 16

the new waVe of greek Migration 16

CoMMunity Priorities 16

unDerstanDing the eMerging CoMMunity neeDs 16

resPonDing to eMerging CoMMunity neeDs 17

ProvidingFormalSupportServices 19

ProvidingCulturallyAppropriateSupportServices 19

ProvidingSettlementSupportServicesforCommunityInclusion 19

strategiC DireCtion anD reCoMMenDations 20

Part 2: the eViDenCe for suPPorting newly arriVeD greeks 24

literature reView 24

BackgroundInformationonNewArrivals 24

Themigrationprocess 27

Pre-migrationplanningandpreparation 27

Factorsmitigatingthechallengesofsettlement 28

ChallengesfacedonarrivaltoAustralia 29

agws researCh 31

ResearchMethods 31

TheSurvey 31

Focusgroupmeetingswithnewarrivalsandmigrationagents 32

interpreting the results 33

ResearchFindings 34

Overview 34

ProfileofnewarrivalsfromGreeceandCyprus 34

CharacteristicsofAGWSSurveyrespondents 39

Sourcesofinformation–pre-migrationplanningandpreparation 40


TheInternet 41

Familyandrelatives 42

AustralianEmbassyinGreece 42

DepartmentofImmigrationandborderprotection 44

Migrationagentsandeducationagents 44

TheGreekConsulateinMelbourne 45

Aspirationsofnewarrivalsandpathwaystoabetterfutureandsettlement–post-arrival 45

Presenceoffamilyandrelatives 46

Friends 49

Formalsupportservices 49

Challenges 52

Finding housing 53

Languagebarriers 54

Assessmentandrecognitionofqualificationsandexperience 55

Employment 56

Labourmarketdiscriminationandexploitation 59

Discrimination 59

Exploitation 59

Economicindependence 60

Education 62

DisCussion 64

bibliograPhy 66

aPPenDiCes 70

Appendix1-Table1:TotalABSNetOverseasMigration(NOM)*arrivalstoVictoria ofGreekandCypriotresidentsbycountryofcitizenshipandcountryofbirth,2005–2013 70

Appendix1-Table2: ABSNetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoriaof GreekandCypriotresidentsbycountryofcitizenshipandcountryofbirth,2005-06to2011-12 71

Appendix1-Table3: ABSNetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoriaof GreekandCypriotresidentsbycountryofcitizenshipandcountryofbirth,2005-06to2011-12 72

Appendix1-Table4: ABSNetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoriaof GreekandCypriotresidentsbycountryofcitizenshipandcountryofbirth,2005–2013 73

Appendix2-Table1: NetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoria: GreeceandCypruscitizenshipbymigrationstreamvisaforthefinancialyears 2005-06to2012-13 75

Appendix2-Table2: NetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoria:Greececitizenship bymigrationstreamvisaforthefinancialyears2005-06to2012-13 76

Appendix2-Table3: NetOverseasMigrationarrivalsinVictoria:Cypruscitizenship bymigrationstreamvisaforthefinancialyears2005-06to2012-13 77

Appendix3-Table1: ABSOverseasArrivals&DeparturesData,customisedtable– TotalArrivalsinVictoriafromGreecebyCategoryofTraveller -FinancialYear2005-06to2012-13 79


Appendix3-Table2:ABSOverseasArrivals&DeparturesData,customisedtable– TotalArrivalsinVictoriafromCyprusbyCategoryofTraveller- FinancialYear2005-06to2012-13 81

Appendix4-Table1:Estimated*numberofOffshore&OnshoreGrants for2005–06to2012-13ProgramYearsforVictoria(includeseVisagrants) 83

Appendix4-Table2: Estimated*numberofOffshore&OnshoreGrants for2005–06to2012-13ProgramYearsforVictoria(includeseVisagrants) 84

TAble OF FiGures

Figure1:PercentageOfAdultAndYouthUnemploymentRatesInGreece,2007-2013 24

Figure2:TotalNumberOfGreekAndCyprusResidentsArrivingInVictoria ByCountryOfCitizenship*,2006-07To2012-13 26

Figure3:NumberOfNewArrivalsOfGreekAndCyprusCitizenship ByMigrationVisaStream,2005-06To2012-13 37

Figure4:TotalNumberOfShort-TermTravellerArrivalsByGreek AndCyprusCitizenship,Pre-2010-11(Average)To2012-13 38

Figure5:PercentageOfSurveyRespondentsBySourceOfInfOrmationUsed 40

Figure6:PercentageOfRespondentsByTypeOfServices TheyHaveEncounteredDifficultiesWithAccessing 50

Figure7:PercentageOfSurveyRespondentsByTypeOfServicesTheyNeed ToIncreaseKnowledgeOf 51

Figure8:PercentageOfSurveyRespondentsByTypeOfChallenges ExperiencedOnArrivalToVictoria 53

6 the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia:OPPORTUNITIESANDCHALLENGES 7

ABBREVIATIONS

Abs Australian bureau of statistics

AGws Australian Greek welfare society

ELICOS EnglishLanguageIntensiveCoursesforOverseasStudents

IELTS InternationalEnglishLanguageTestingSystem

NOM NetOverseasMigration

OECD OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment

OeT Occupational english Test

sOl skilled Occupational list

VET VocationalEducationandTraining


GlOssAry

new arrivals –Australiancitizens,Australianpermanent residentsofGreekdescent returningafteralongperiodofpermanentlyresidinginGreece,andGreekcitizensarrivinginAustraliausuallyasstudentsandskilledmigrantsfollowingtheonsetofthedisastrousfinancialcrisisinGreecein2010.

Migration stream:Statisticalgroupingofpermanentarrivalsbasedontypeofvisa.(‘MigrationStream’isalsoknownas‘EligibilityCategory’).Thegroupsare:

•FamilyMigration:PersonswhohavearrivedinAustraliaunderthefamilystreamofthemigrationprogram.Thesearepeopleintendingtogetmarried,partners,children,parentsandotherfamilymembers who have been sponsored by a relative who is an Australian citizen, an AustralianpermanentresidentoraneligibleNewZealandcitizen.

•Temporaryskilledvisaholders:TemporaryWork(Skilled)subclass457visaholdersmostlyrecruitedbyAustraliancompanieswhosevisaisvalidforuptofouryears.

•Studentvisaholders:overseasstudentswhoundertakefull-timestudyinregisteredcourses.Inthisreport,StudentGuardian(subclass580)visaholdersareincludedin‘othertemporaryvisaholders’andTemporaryGraduate(subclass485)visaholdersarelistedasaseparatecategory,andnotinthe‘studentvisaholders’categoryasperthestudentvisastatisticsreport

•bridging visa holders:non-citizenswhoareprovidedwithlawfulstatuswhiletheyhavebusinesswiththegovernmentorthecourtsregardingimmigrationmatters.

•Othertemporary visa holders:includeholdersofothertemporaryvisassuchasNewZealandCitizenFamilyRelationships(non-NewZealandcitizenswhoarefamilymembersofaNewZealandcitizen),social/cultural(Entertainment,Sport,VisitingAcademic,ReligiousWorker,etc),internationalrelations(Diplomatic, Exchange,DomesticWorker,etc.), training (Occupational TraineeandProfessionalDevelopment),StudentGuardianandtransitvisas.

•Specialeligibility–PersonswhoareformerAustralianpermanentresidents,andpersonswhoservedintheAustralianArmedForcesbefore1981,returningtoAustraliapermanently.PriortoJuly2000thiscategoryalsoincludedformerAustraliancitizensandfamilyofNewZealandcitizens.‘SpecialEligibility’currentlyconsistsof‘FormerResident’visaonly.

•other non-program – Primarily children born to Australian citizens overseas. This also includesresidentsofNorfolkIslandandpersonsgrantedAustraliancitizenshipoverseas.

•working holiday maker visa holders:youngadultsfromcountrieswithreciprocalbilateralagreementswithAustraliawhoholidayinAustraliaandundertakeshort-termworkand/orstudyandwhoholdaWorkingHoliday(subclass417)orWorkandHoliday(subclass462)visa.

Thereareseventypesof student visa:

1. english language intensive Course for overseas students (eliCos) (subclass 570) visa. Thisvisais for internationalstudentsundertakingastand-aloneEnglish languagecoursethat leadstoacertificatelevelawardornon-formalaward.

2. schools (subclass 571) visa. Thisvisa isdesigned for international studentsapplying to study inAustralia in a primary, junior secondary or senior secondary school course or an approvedsecondaryschoolexchangeprogram.

3. Vocational education and training (subclass 572) visa. This visa is designed for internationalstudentsapplyingtostudyinAustraliaandwhosemaincourseofstudyisacertificate,vocationaleducation and training diploma, vocational education and training advanced diploma,vocationalgraduatecertificateorvocationalgraduatediploma.


4. higher education (subclass 573) visa. This visa is designed for international students applyingtostudy inAustraliaandwhosemaincourseof study isabachelordegree,associatedegree,highereducationdiploma,highereducationadvanceddiploma,graduatecertificate,graduatediplomaorMastersbycoursework.

5. Postgraduate research (subclass 574) visa. This visa isdesigned for international studentswhowanttostudyaMaster’sdegreebyresearchoraDoctoraldegreeinAustralia.

6. non award (subclass 575) visa.ThisvisaisdesignedforinternationalstudentswhowanttostudynonawardfoundationstudiesorotherfulltimecoursesnotleadingtoanAustralianaward.

7. ausaiD or Defence sponsored (subclass 576) visa.ThisvisaisdesignedforinternationalstudentswhoaresponsoredbyAusAID(undertheAustraliaAwards)orDefencetostudyafulltime-timecourse of any type in Australia


FOrewOrd

ThisresearchstudyhasbeenundertakenbyAustralianGreekWelfareSociety(AGWS)inrecognitionofthesubstantialincreasesinthenumberofpeoplearrivingfromGreeceandtoalesserextentfromCyprussince2010.Greecehasbeeninthegripofanunprecedentedeconomiccrisisfornearly5years.TheconsequencesoftheworseningfinancialsituationinGreecehaveimpactedgravelyonthehealth,qualityoflifeaswellascareerandlivelihoodprospectsofthoselivinginGreece.

Asaresult,almostsixtyyearslaterVictoriaisexperiencinganotherwaveofGreekmigration.Tothispoint,anestimated6,000GreekandCyprusresidentshavemadeVictoriatheirhomesincetheonsetofthefinancialcrisisin2010.

AdistinguishingfeatureofthecurrentmigrationfromGreeceandCyprusisthecitizenshipcompositionof new arrivals and their high level of education. Nearly 60 percent are Australian Citizens orpermanentAustralianresidentsofGreekdescentreturningtoAustraliaaftermanyyearsofresidinginGreeceorCyprus;andjustover40percentareGreekcitizens.Theyaremostlyuniversityeducated,intellectuallyadept,articulate,whoataminimum,havebasiccompetencyintheEnglishlanguage,confidentandinsearchofopportunitiestounleashtheirtalentanddrivetoachieve.TheypresentauniquehumancapitalforVictoria’sAustralianGreekcommunityandgeneralAustraliancommunity,whichifharnessedappropriatelywillbringsignificantbenefitstoAustralia.

Migrating toanothercountry, includingAustralia, is neveraneasyundertaking. The report showsthat difficulties arise across a rangeof areas during thepre-migrationplanningandpreparationstage.ItalsoshowsthatthechallengesnewGreekmigrantsfaceonarrivalvarydependingonthethoroughnessof theirpre-migrationpreparation,financial resourcesavailable;differencesonvisastream;thepresenceoffamily,relativesorfriends,thedurationandqualityofsupporttheyprovide;awarenessof,andaccessto,formalsupportservices,andthecapacityofthoseservicestorespondsensitivelyandeffectively.

Planningfor,andrespondingtotheneedsofnewarrivalsrequireadetailedunderstandingoftheirnumberandcircumstances.Forty-twoyearsofcorporateknowledgerelatingtosettlementsupportandevidence-basedpracticewisdomprovidedcompelling reasons forAGWS to undertake thecurrentstudy.

AGWS understands that quality information translated into deliverable policies that can beimplementedontime,onbudgetandtoexpectationsisacriticalpreconditionintheplanninganddevelopmentof support services thatbring realbenefits tonewarrivalsand thecommunityandavoidsthewasteofvaluablepublicresources.

TheinformationandrecommendationscontainedinthereportapplynotonlytonewinitiativesbutalsotoadjustmentsorchangestoexistingsupportserviceswithinAGWSandthebroadercommunityservicessystem,toVictoria’sAustralianGreekcommunitystructures,andtogovernmentandnon-government senior leaders advising on policy proposals and those responsible for implementingpolicyinitiatives.

AGWSalsounderstandsthatsomepolicyrecommendations inthereportcanbedevelopedandimplementedwith long lead-times,othersmayneedtobedevelopedand implementedquickly.Thesepolicyrecommendationshavebeendevelopedinrecognitionofthepressuresonthemoderncommunitysector,andtakingintoaccountexperiencegainedinrecentyears.

Thefindingsrevealsomeclearmessages,includingtheneedfor:

♦decision-makersingovernmentdepartmentstostrengthenthecapacityofgovernmentservicesto enable them to reducebarriers toaffordable housing, education, employment, healthandtransportfornewlyarrivedmigrants

♦governments to urgently allocate adequate resources to strengthen the capacity of non-governmentsupportservicestoassistnewlyarrivedmigrantstobe involved in,connectedwith,andbelongto,theircommunity,andtopromotetheirwellbeing


♦identifyingpracticesandsupportstructuresthatfacilitate:

•accesstoadequateanddecentshelter

•theefficientrecognitionofqualificationsandvaluableoverseasworkexperiencethatenablenewarrivalstoaccessthejobsmarketallowingthemtoliveindignityandcontributetotheirnew adopted country

•rapidEnglish languageacquisitionandconsequentlyspeed-uptheabilityofnewarrivals tosettlequickerandeasierandpositivelyimpactsontheirsocialandeconomicoutcomes

•easytransitiontoschoolforrecentlyarrivedschoolagedchildren,and

•minimisesthestressesofmigrationforadults.

♦developing approaches that ensure productive liaison with government and non-governmentinstitutionswhichmatteralottonewmigrants,andgivethemapowerfulmessageofbeingvaluedandacceptedinAustralia.

♦immediateassistancewithrecognitionofskillsandoverseasqualificationsandinformationregardingthecomplexityofapplyingforjobswithintheAustralianlabormarket.

I take this opportunity to thankDr. Kostas TsingasAGWS PolicyOfficer, forwriting this timely andcomprehensive report. The informationand recommendationsof the report reflect thecollectiveexperience and wisdom of members of the community who are newly arrived to Australia, bycompletingthesurveyandtakingpartinfocusgroupmeetings,Greekcommunityleaders,AGWSstaffandotherstakeholders.Iacknowledgeandthankthemfortheirvaluablecontribution.

VoulaMessimeriAMCeOAustralian Greek welfare societyOctober2014


EXECUTIVESUMMARY

Since2010AGWShasobservedanincreasingandrapidinfluxofGreeksmigratingtoAustraliaasaresultoftheeconomiccrisisinGreece.Manyofthesenewmigrantshavebeenseekingassistanceand support from theAustralian-GreekWelfare Society (AGWS). As a leadagency in theGreekcommunityofVictoria,AGWShasbeenidentifyingandrespondingtothesupportneedsofthesenewmigrantswithinits limitedresourcesandwithoutclearGovernmentacknowledgementofthesupportneedsofthiscohortofmigrantswithspecificsupportneeds.

Researchandpractice-basedevidenceindicatethatthisnewcohortofmigrantspresentwithspecificsupportneedsthatrequireareorganizationandexpansionofAGWSprogramsandservicesinordertorespondeffectivelytoindividualneeds.AGWSnowfacessignificantchallengesinsupportingarapidlygrowingnumberofnewmigrantswhoexperience:

•Financialhardship

•Socialisolationandlackofcommunityengagement

•Pooremotionalwellbeing

•Difficultiesaccessingaffordablehousing

•Difficultiesgainingemploymentandeducation

Inordertorespondappropriatelyandeffectivelytotheneedsofthisemergingcohortofmigrants,itisimportantforalllevelsofGovernmentandthehealthandwelfaresectorsto:

•Graspthecomplexityofindividual’spresentingneeds

•RecognisethedepthofchangecurrentlytakingplacewithinVictoria’sGreekAustraliancommunity,aswellasthenationalandVictorianservicesector

•Identifytheopportunitiesthatmayariseoutofthosechanges

•DevelopstrategiestoleveragetheresourcesofthecommunityandinfluencepolicyandfundingprocessestoensuretheneedsofnewarrivalsfromGreecearemet.

Toassistintheaboveeffort,utilisingitsownresources,AGWSundertookresearchin2014to:

1. DeterminethenumberandprofileofarrivalsfromGreeceusingABSandDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectiondata.

2. Examine the sourcesof informationusedbypotential immigrants inGreece; theaspirationsofnewarrivalsandpathways toachievethoseaspirations;andthechallenges facedduringthesettlementprocessinAustralia.

3. ScopestrategiesforcapacitybuildingthatrespondsappropriatelytotheneedsofnewarrivalsfromGreece.

ThecurrentservicesystemisundergoingchangeandreforminVictoria.However,supportstructuresforthisemerginggroupofmigrantsarenotevident.Furthermore,theAustralianGreekWelfareSocietyhasbeenfacingaseriousconundrumwith respect to theallocationofGovernment resources toprovideGreeklanguagespecificsettlementsupportservices.DemandforservicesdeliveredbytheAGWScontinuestoincrease.ThisiscontrarytotheprevailingbeliefwithinGovernmentDepartmentsthattheAustralianGreekcommunityisan‘established’oneandnolongerrequiressuchservices.


Thedevelopmentofappropriate support initiativesarenow required. These supports shouldbecharacterizedby:

1. FormalservicestoassistnewarrivalsfromGreece.

2. Culturallyappropriateservices to respondto thespecificneedsofGreekcitizensmigrating toAustralia.

3. Settlementservicesforsupportingnewmigrantstoorientthemselvestotheirnewcommunityandbuildtheircapacityforcommunityparticipationandinclusion.

strategiC DireCtion anD reCoMMenDations

InorderforAGWStobeabletorespondtotheincreasingdemandforsupportbythisnewcohortof service users, a strategic response is required in partnership with Government and other keyorganisations.Tothisend,itbecomesnecessarythatAGWS:

1. ThroughitsexistingapplicationtotheSettlementGrantsProgram,entersintodiscussionswiththeCommonwealthDepartmentofSocialServicestofacilitatetheallocationofresourcestoAGWStoprovidesustainablesupportsinresponsetotheinfluxofnewlyarrivedmigrantsfromGreeceandCyprusthroughthefollowingactivities:

1.1 Supportservicestoincludebutnotlimitedto:

•informationandreferral

•crisisintervention

•Counselling

•emergencyrelief

•communityawareness

•practicalsupportandadvocacy

•liaisonwithschoolcounsellors

•educationalseminars toparents toassistwithaseamless transition intoschoolofprimaryand secondary school aged children

•Casework

CoordinatingandexpandingtheavailabilityofthevoluntaryrunMigrationAgentInformationandReferralServiceandtheGreekLegalInformationandReferralServicecurrentlyofferedbyAGWStoprovidelegalandmigrationadvicetonewarrivals.

1.2 Conductingacommunityawarenessandeducationprogramtoprovideaccurate,up-to-date anduserfriendlyinformationto:

•AustralianGreekstoinformthemaboutthecomplexitiesassociatedwithhostingareturningfamilymember,relative,friendoracquaintance

•NewarrivalsfromGreecetoincreasetheirawarenessonarangeofissuesincluding:sourcesofinformation;theimportanceofEnglishlanguageskills;recognitionofskillsandqualifications;employment;incomeandfinances;navigatingthehousingmarket;accessingeducation;community,governmentandhealth services; transport;communicationandcommunityconnection.

ScopingtheestablishmentofaSteeringCommitteetoengageAustralianGreekcommunitygroupsandorganisationstofacilitatethesharingofinformation,developingcollaborativeresponsestomeet


the needs of newly arrived migrants, raise resources and minimise any duplication in activitiesbenefitingnewarrivals.

1.3 EstablishingacareertransitionprogramtoofferguidancetonewlyarrivedmigrantsfromGreece and Cyprus to:

•develop clear career objectives andplans, personalmarketingmaterials and resiliencethrough a casemanagementmodel providing tailoring of services based on individualneedswith support where required. Such support should includementoring and careerguidance

•provide a series of seminars to new arrivals on developing resumes and cover letters,addressing key selection criteriawhere required, interviewpreparation, anddevelopingaffectivenetworkingtechniques,and

•raiseawarenessofemployerexpectations, rightsandentitlements forpaidemployment,andgenerallyeducatethemtoimprovethemarketabilityoftheirskillsandexperienceonpaperandatinterviews.

2. ThattheAustralianGovernmentconsiderresourcingappropriatelytheAustralianEmbassyinAthens to enable it to :

2.1 processpaper-basedapplicationsforGreekcitizensandcitizenshipbydescentapplicationsina timelyfashion

2.2 streamlinetheEmbassy’sprocesses,includingincreasingoperatingandcounterhours

2.3 update itswebsite to beavailable in both the English andGreek languages, in linewith othernon-EnglishspeakingEuropeancountries

2.4 holdanannualexpotoadvisereliablyandaccuratelyonmattersrelatingtoAustralianmigration lawandvisas,education,costofliving,accommodation,employmentandhealthinAustralia, andthataReferenceCommitteeshouldbeestablishedtodevelopacriteriaforensuringthe appropriatenessoftheadvicegivenattheexpo.

3. ThattheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionconsider:

3.1 groupingtogetherallvisaswithachecklistoutliningtheprocess,thedocumentationandcost ofattainingeachvisainordertoimproveaccesstoinformation;aswellasregularlyupdating the checklist

3.2 makingavailablestafftoenablepotentialmigrantstocontactthemwhentheyhavespecific queries,aswellasablog,staffedbyappropriatelyqualifiedmigrationagentstoprovidetimely responsestoanyqueries

3.3 making available online theMigration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) list inGreek, withGreek-speakingmigrationagentsbeingnoted

3.4 providingeasilyaccessible,accurateandreliable informationonpathwaystopermanent residencyinAustraliaonitswebsite,includingprovidingtonewarrivalsaschedulesettingout thestandardfeesgenerallychargedforparticularservicesbymigrationagents

3.5 fundingEnglishlanguagetrainingfortemporaryvisaholders.

4. That the Commonwealth Department of Employment consider providing a wage subsidy toemployershiringmigrantswithoutpreviousworkexperience inAustralia, similar to the ‘RestartProgram’thatprovidessubsidiestoemployershiringAustraliansaged50+years.


5. That the Victorian Government, in line with article 28 of the United Nations Human RightsConventionontheRightsoftheChild(CRC)towhichAustralia isasignatory,article26oftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR),andarticle13oftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) consider making available both primary andsecondaryschoolingfreetoallchildrenofschoolage,includingchildrenofGreekcitizenship.

6. ThattheVictorianDepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopmenttoconsiderissuesofidentityandself-esteemfornewarrivalchildrentransitioningtoschoolinVictoria;theirorientationintotheschool;instructionofEnglishasanadditionallanguage;teacherin-serviceeducationtoupdateteachersonissuesandchallengesconfrontingnew-arrivalchildren,includingfriendships;theneedforteacher’saides;stateschoolsupporttosafeguardandpromotethewellbeingofnewarrivalchildren;andwhererequiredaccesstointerpreterstofacilitateschoolengagementwithparents.


iNTrOduCTiON

Data indicatesa sharp increase in thenumberofarrivals fromGreece to theStateofVictoria inAustralia.Inadditiontobeinghighlyeducatedandskilled,thefindingsofthecurrentstudyrevealthattheoverwhelmingmajority(83percent)havevaryinglevelsoffluencyintheEnglishlanguage.It is logicalthatanumberofthoseleavingGreecewouldchoosetheStateofVictoriainAustraliaasadestinationformigration.In2011162,000peopleofGreekancestrywerelivinginVictoria,with95percent residing in theMelbournemetropolitanarea.Of those, 117,000wereGreek-speakingand50,000wereborninGreece(refertopart2ofthisreport).MorethanhalfofthosearrivingnowinVictoriahavehadsomefamilyorancestralconnectionwithVictoria.TheyareeitherAustraliancitizensorAustralianpermanentresidentsofGreekdescentwhohadreturnedtosettleinGreeceorwerethechildrenofAustraliancitizensofGreekdescentcurrentlyresidinginGreece.

TheyoungmenandwomennowarrivingfromGreecearehighlyskilledandeducatedandproficienttovaryinglevelsintheEnglishlanguage.TheyareexpectedtointegratesuccessfullyintoAustraliansocietyandaddvaluetoAustralia’seconomic,culturalandsocialcapital.Thecurrentrestrictivevisastreamhowever,posesimmensechallengestoGreekcitizensapplyingforentryintoAustraliaandislikelytodepriveAustraliaoftalentandknowledgethatcanservetheGreekageingcommunityinAustraliaaswellasthebroadercommunity.

TheinfluxofGreekmigrantstoAustraliasince2010inresponsetoGreece’ssevereeconomiccrisishasjoltedaresponsefromtheAustralianGreekcommunity.AsaleadagencyintheGreekcommunityofVictoria,AGWShasbeenidentifyingandrespondingtothesupportneedsofthesenewmigrantswithinitslimitedresourcesandwithoutclearGovernmentacknowledgementofthesupportneedsofthiscohortofmigrants.

ThefindingsofresearchundertakenbyAGWS,aswellasevidencefromsupportservicesprovided,indicate that this new cohort of migrants present with specific support needs that require areorganizationandexpansionofAGWSprogramsand services inorder to respondeffectively toindividualneeds.

AGWShasbeencarefullymonitoring the steady increaseof newarrivals seeking support and in2013-14undertookresearchtoidentifythetypeofsupportthatnewmigrantsrequireandhowtheycouldbesupported.Thispaperdiscusseswhatwehavelearnedtodateabouttheserecentarrivalsandhowwecouldbestrespondtosupporttheirhealthandwellbeing.OuranalysisofthecurrentsituationindicatesthatAGWSfacessignificantchallengesinsupportingarapidlygrowingnumberofnewmigrantswhoexperience:

•Financialhardship

•Socialisolationandlackofcommunityengagement

•Pooremotionalwellbeing

•Difficultiesaccessingaffordablehousing

•Difficultiesgainingemploymentandeducation

Wealso know fromexperience the importanceof early interventionandprevention in reducingbarrierstoparticipation,aswellaspromotingsocialinclusionandwellbeing.Further,wearebecomingincreasinglyawareof theenormouspotentialof thiscohortofnewmigrants tocontribute to theVictorianeconomyandcommunity.

OrGANisATiON OF repOrT

Thisreportisorganisedintotwoparts.Part1providesbackgroundinformationanddiscussestheneedforasupportsystemfornewlyarrivedGreeks.Italsoproposesastrategyandrecommendsactionsforaddressingtheemergingneedsofthisnewcohortofmigrants.Part2includesaliteraturereview,thefindingsofresearchundertakenbyAGWSandotherevidenceforsupportingnewlyarrivedGreekmigrants.


Part 1: TOWARDSASUPPORTSYSTEMFORNEWLYARRIVEDGreek MiGrANTs TO AusTrAliA

THENEWWAVEOFGREEKMIGRATION

Greecehasbeenexperiencingasevereeconomiccrisissince2010,widelyreportedinthemedia.TheconsequencesoftheworseningfinancialsituationinGreecehaveimpactedgravelyonthequalityoflife,socialandhealthandwell-beingofthoselivinginGreece.Morealarmingly,itisreportedthatincreasedunemploymentisleadingtoincreasedpoverty,degradationofworkingconditionsaswellasincreasesinchildrenandyoungpeopleexperiencingdepressionandanxiety,andanincreaseinsuicideattempts.Theemergingevidence,discussedlaterinthisreport,indicatesadiresituationforyoungandoldinGreece.

Since2010therehasbeenaninfluxofGreeksmigratingtoAustralia.GivenAustralia’shealthierandmorestableeconomyandtheconsiderablylargeAustralian-GreekpopulationitisunderstandablethatmigrationtoAustraliaisadesirableoptionformanyGreeks,andparticularlyforthelargenumbersofGreekswhocanreunitewithrelativeslivinginAustralia.

COMMuNiTy priOriTies

AGWShasastronghistoryof respondingpromptlyandeffectivelytonewandemerging issuesoftheGreekcommunityinVictoria.AstheAustralian-GreekcommunityhasevolvedsotooAGWShasreorganizeditsprogramsandservicestorespondtothepresentingcommunityneeds.Priorto2010,Victoria’sAustralianGreekcommunitywasprimarilyconcernedwithrespondingadequatelytotherapidlyageingGreekcommunityandthedeclineintheuptakeoftheGreeklanguageinboththepublic school systemandGreekafternoonschools.Otherconcernshavebeen intergenerationalsuccessionplanning;andleveragingthesignificantresourcesheldbyGreekregionalbrotherhoodsandassociationsasameansofstrengtheningthecapacityofGreekcommunitystructurestocontinuetoprovidethehighestqualityofactivitiesandtoensurethefutureviabilityandsustainabilityofthoseactivities.ThesekeyprioritiesweresufficientlycomplextoconsumetheenergyofVictoria’sAustralianGreekcommunity.

When the trickleof newmigrants startedarriving fromGreece in 2010, it caught thecommunityby surprise.Greek community structures began to quietlymobilise to support the newarrivals. ItbecameevidentveryquicklythatthisnewcohortofGreekmigrantpresentednewchallengesandtherequirementtoreorganizesupportservicesinordertorespondtopeople’sneeds.

uNdersTANdiNG The eMerGiNG COMMuNiTy Needs

AGWSrecognisesthattheincreaseinnewarrivalsfromGreeceishavingsignificantimplicationsforVictoria’sAustralianGreekandthebroaderAustraliancommunity.Inordertorespondpromptlyandeffectivelytotheseneedsitisimportantto:

•Graspthecomplexityofindividual’spresentingneeds,

•RecognisethedepthofchangecurrentlytakingplacewithinVictoria’sAustralianGreekcommunity,aswellasthenationalandVictorianservicesector,

•Identifytheopportunitiesthatmayariseoutofthosechanges,and

•DevelopstrategiestoleveragetheresourcesofthecommunityandinfluencepolicyandfundingprocessestoensuretheneedsofnewarrivalsfromGreecearemet.

Whilemostnewarrivalsareexpectedtofacethesamechallenges,itiscriticallyimportanttorecognise


that returningAustraliancitizensandpermanent residentsofGreekdescenthaveone importantadvantageoverGreekcitizens: theyare immediatelyeligibletoaccessgovernmententitlementsandsettlementsupportservices;thelatterareineligibletoanyofthese.Greekcitizensarethereforemorelikelytoexperiencehardshipfromtheoutset,unlesstheyhavefamily,relativesorfriendswillingtosupportthemintheinitialsettlementperiod.

AGWShasoverthepast42yearsbeeninstrumentalindevelopingaspectrumofservicestomeettherangeofneedsoffirstgenerationAustralianGreeksinVictoria.Theseserviceshaveresultedinincreasedlifeopportunitiesandhelpedreducebarrierstoparticipation,promotedsocial inclusionandcohesion,andcontributedtoAustralia’smulticulturalsociety.Indoingso,AGWShasdevelopedarichknowledgeofthemanychallengesfacingnewarrivalsthroughevidencebasedpracticeandresearch.

Australiahascomealongwayoverthepast40yearsinitsapproachestoaddressingthesettlementsupportneedsofnewarrivals.WehavelearnedthattheidentificationofthespecificneedsofnewarrivalsfromGreececanassistserviceproviderstoestablishanddevelopservicemodelsthataresensitivetotheneedsofnewarrivalsandwhichwillresultinpeoplebeingabletomakefulluseofavailableservicestoassistthemtoachievetheiraspirations.

Utilisingitsownresources,AGWSundertookresearchto:

1. Determine the number and profile of arrivals from Greece using ABS and Department ofImmigrationandBorderProtectiondata.

2. Examinethesourcesof informationusedbypotential immigrants inGreece;theaspirationsofnewarrivalsandpathwaystoachievethoseaspirations;andthechallengesfacedduringthesettlementprocessinAustralia.

3. ScopestrategiesforcapacitybuildingthatrespondsappropriatelytotheneedsofnewarrivalsfromGreece.

Theresearchincludedsurveying108newarrivalsfromGreeceandconductingfocusgroupmeetingswithnearlyfortynewarrivalsandfivemigrationagents.Thecombinationofaskingnewarrivalstocompleteasurvey, seekingtheviewsofnewarrivalsandmigrationagents throughseveral focusgroupmeetings,usingde-identifiedAGWSclientdataandinformationsourcedopportunisticallywasanimportantstrategy,asitenabledAGWStogainamoresubstantivepictureofthereality,andameansofverifyingwithseveralsourcesandtogainmultipleperspectives.

respONdiNG TO eMerGiNG COMMuNiTy Needs

AtpresentaseriesofsectorreformsareunderwayinitiatedbybothFederalandStateGovernments.Thesereforms focusonarestructureof theservicesector toachievegreatereconomiesofscaleandefficienciesthroughtheprovisionof‘joinedup’services;andimportantly,theachievementofmeasurableindividualoutcomes.Withinthislandscape,supportstructuresthatareagileenoughtorespondtotheneedsofthisnewcohortofserviceusersofrecentlyarrivedGreekmigrants,arenotevident.TheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietyhasbeenfacingaseriousconundrumwith respecttotheallocationofGovernmentsresourcestoprovideGreeklanguagespecificsettlementsupportservices.DemandforservicesdeliveredbytheAGWScontinuestoincrease.This iscontrarytotheprevailingbeliefwithinGovernmentDepartmentsthattheGreekcommunityisan‘established’oneandnolongerrequiressuchservicesforbotholderandnewlyarrivedmembersofthecommunity.

Acknowledgingthatthismaynowbeagapinourservicestructure,alllevelsofGovernmentneedtoreviewpolicyinrelationtothiscohortandinitiateserviceresponsestoappropriatelymeetthisgroupofmigrant’sneeds.ThedevelopmentofappropriatesupportinitiativescanbeinformedbyAGWS’sfindingswhichconcludethat:

•FormalsupportservicesarerequiredtosupportnewarrivalsfromGreece.

•Culturally appropriate support services are required to respond to the specific needs ofGreekcitizensmigratingtoAustralia.


•Settlementsupportservicesareimportantforsupportingnewmigrantstoorientthemselvestotheirnewcommunityandbuildtheircapacityforcommunityparticipationandinclusion.

Extensiveresearchovermanyyearsshowsthatculturally-specificorganisationsthathavedevelopedaskillfulunderstandingofthesettlementprocess,areconsideredtobebetterplacedtoassistmigrantsinsuccessfullymanagingthosechallenges(EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2014;Mwanri,etal.,2012;Texeira,2011;Sawtell,etal.,2010).Makingthisconnectioncanimproveaccesstoservicesandopportunities,promotesocialinclusionandboostself-esteem(Burke&Stone,2014;Somerville&Walsworth,2010;Texeira&Li,2009;Mwanri,etal.,2012).

Thenegativeimpactsofmigrationonindividuals,familiesandcommunitieshavebeenextensivelyresearched (see part 2 of this report). However this is equally balanced against strategies thatdemonstratesignificantreductionsinthenegativeeffectsandenhancementofthepositiveoutcomesofthemigrationsettlementprocess.Pre-migrationplanningandpreparationhasbeenidentifiedasparticularly importantandtheprovisionofaccurate information iscritical, forexampleaccessingreliableinformationfromtheAustralianEmbassyinAthens.Mitigatingchallengesexperiencedduringtheinitialsettlementperiodisalsoveryimportant.Thesechallengesinclude:

•differencesinvisastream

•assessmentandrecognitionofqualifiactionsandexperience

•languageproficiency

•economicindependence

•labourmarketdiscriminationandexploitation,and

•the presense of family, relatives and social networks are also central to the initial stages ofthesettlementprocess

•theroleplayedbymigrantsupportservicesinassistingthesettlement(NewZealandMinistryofBusiness,inovation&Employment,2013;Richardsonetal,2004;GovernmentofQueensland,2001;Fletcher,1999). Studieshave identified thata transparent,effectiveandcrediblequalificationsassessmentandrecognitionprocessiscriticalforthelabourmarketintegrationofskilledmigrants(Fletcher,1999)andthatFamilyandsocialnetworksarealsocentraltotheinitialstagesofthesettlementprocess,byprovidingadvice,materialsupportandaccommodation(Richardsonetal,2004:66).

Moreover, newarrivals toAustralia requireassistance inanumberofdifferentareas tohelpwiththeir successful integration. Yet, designated settlement services are available only to permanentresidentswhohavearrivedashumanitarianentrantsoras familystreammigrantswith lowEnglishproficiency,anddependentsofskilledmigrantslocatedinaruralorregionalareawithlowEnglishproficiency(Spinks,2009).Researchshowsthatnewarrivalsmay requireassistancewith infindinghousing, assessingoverseasqualifications, securingemployment, earningan income sufficient tosupportthemselvesandtheirfamilies,accessingeducationalopportunities, improvingtheirEnglishproficiencyasanentry intowork,accessingpublic transport,accessinghealthcare services,andadaptingtolifeinanewcountry(UnitedNations,2013;Richardson,etal,2004;Fletcher,1999;Burnett,1998). Inparticular,migrants facesignificantbarriers toemployment inAustralia, including lackofknowledgeoflocalemploymentnetworks,poorunderstandingofthejobapplicationprocess,weakcommunication skillsand the reluctanceofmanyemployers to recogniseoverseasqualificationsandworkexperience,aswellasrequiringapplicantstodemonstrateAustralian-basedemploymentexperiencethusdenyingnewarrivalstheopportunitytoobtainentry-leveljobsthatwouldenablethemtogetthatexperience(AustralianBureauofStatistics,2013;EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2014;Lane2014).Inaddition,vulnerablemigrantscanbecometargetsforillegalworkandexploitation(EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2014;Hall&Partners,2012).Otherimportantfactorsforsuccessfulsettlementmayincludethefollowing:

•Languageacquisitionandproficiency(notallmigrantsareeligibleforlanguagelearningprogramsinAustraliawhichprovideupto510hoursoffreeEnglishlanguagetuition(DepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection,2014).


•Childrenundergoanumberofsocialchangesthroughexposuretotheirnewenvironment,reportingtraumaticexperiencesofnotunderstandingornotbeingabletoconnectwithnewpeers(Amigo,2012b).Adolescentsmaybedoublydisadvatangedthroughfurtherdisorientationastheyconfrontadjustmentissuesastheydevelopthemselves(UnitedNations,2013).

•Migrantsaremore susceptible tomentalhealth issues incomparison to thegeneralpopulationwhichoccurthroughdifficultiesoftheirsettlementprocess(Kirmayer,etal.,2011)andtheymaybeunawareoforunabletoaccesssupportandtreatmentservices.Healthliteracy,earlyinterventionandpreventionhavebeen identifiedas important strategies foraddressingmanifestingmentalhealthissues.

ProViDing forMal suPPort serViCes

AGWS researchconfirms the importanceof formal support services tonewarrivals fromGreece.Of the108 respondents,45 (or42%)hadmadecontactwithAGWSsince theirarrival1and60 (or56%)haveindicatedthattheywouldbenefitfromservicesthatcouldsupporttheiremotionalandpsychological wellbeing and those of their children2.Inaddition,in2013-2014,182newarrivalshadsoughtandreceivedsupportfromAGWS.

Newarrivalsseektheassistanceofformalsupportservicestoresolvedifficultiestheymayencounterwithgovernment,housing,employment,health,welfare,education,legalandotherservices.Whilesuch services generally resolve issues of concern, difficulties arise due to poor English languageproficiency,eligibilityrequirements,disagreementsrelatingtoadviceanddecisions,delayindecision-making,aswellaspooradministrationoforganisationalpoliciesandprocedures.

ProViDing Culturally aPProPriate suPPort serViCes

Australia’slonghistoryofprovidingculturallysensitiveformalsupportservices,oftenassistedbyethniccommunitystructuresandmediahasproventobeavaluableresourcetonewarrivals.Thestrategicretention of settlement support services by AGWS through its own fund-raising activities, largelysupportedbyVictoria’sGreekcommunity,exemplifiestheimportanceofretainingthisresourcetonewarrivals.Withoutgovernmentsupport,however,thesustainabilityoftheseservicesisinjeopardy.Closeto500newarrivals,overthepastfiveyears,havereceivedvaryinglevelsofsupportthroughcasework,informationandreferral,crisisintervention,counselling,migrationandlegaladviceservices.Facilitatingaccesstogovernmentandothersupportservicesresults in increasedlifeopportunitiesandhelpsreducebarrierstoparticipation,promotessocialcohesion,andcontributestoAustralia’smulticulturalsociety.

ProViDing settleMent suPPort serViCes for CoMMunity inClusion

WhentheCommonwealthGovernment’sGrant-in-AidfundingtoAGWSceasedinthemid-1990s,theOrganisationrecognisedtheneedtocontinuedeliveringsettlementsupportservicesinordertosupport individualsandfamiliestosuccessfully integratewiththeircommunity,anddidsothroughself-fundingactivitieslargelysupportedbyVictoria’sAustralianGreekcommunity.ThearrivalofnewmigrantsfromGreecehighlightedthevalueoftheseserviceswithnearly500outoftheestimated6,000newarrivalsreceivingvaryinglevelsofsupportoverthepastfouryears.

The number ofmigrants currently arriving fromGreecemayappear to be small toGovernmentpolicy-makers,butwithinthecontextofarapidlyageingAustralianGreekcommunityandtheneedtomeet the increasingdemandsofolderpeoplewithin thiscommunity,aswellas respondingtotheformidablechallengesfacinganevergrowingnumberofnewarrivals,AGWSrequiresalevelofGovernmentfundingtocontinuethedeliveryofresponsiveservicessustainably.

...........................................................................

1Responsestoquestion34ofthesurvey:“HaveyouhadcontactwiththeAustralianGreekWelfareSociety?”

2Responsestoquestion31ofthesurvey:“WouldnewlyarrivedGreekpeoplebenefitfromservicessupportingtheemotionalandpsychologicalwellbeingofindividuals,includingchildren?”


strategiC DireCtion anD reCoMMenDations

AGWS’sexperienceinsupportingnewlyarrivedmigrantssince2010aswellasresearchundertakenin2013-14indicatesthattheAGWSBoardandseniormanagementmustseriouslyaddresstheincreasingdemandonallAGWSservicesandprogramsbynewmigrantsfromGreece.InorderforAGWStobeable to respond to the increasingdemand for supportby this newcohortof serviceusers, astrategicresponseisrequiredinpartnershipwithGovernmentandotherkeyorganisationTothisend,itbecomesnecessarythatAGWS:

1. ThroughitsexistingapplicationtotheSettlementGrantsProgram,entersintodiscussionswiththeCommonwealthDepartmentofSocialServicestofacilitatetheallocationofresourcestoAGWStoprovidesustainablesupportsinresponsetotheinfluxofnewlyarrivedmigrantsfromGreeceandCyprusthroughthefollowingactivities:

1.1 Supportservicestoincludebutnotlimitedto:

•informationandreferral

•crisisintervention

•Counselling

•emergencyrelief

•communityawareness

•practicalsupportandadvocacy

•liaisonwithschoolcounsellors

•educationalseminarstoparentstoassistwithaseamlesstransitionintoschoolofprimaryandsecondary school aged children

•Casework

1.2 CoordinatingandexpandingtheavailabilityofthevoluntaryrunMigrationAgentInformationand ReferralServiceandtheGreekLegalInformationandReferralServicecurrentlyofferedbyAGWSto providelegalandmigrationadvicetonewarrivals.

1.3 Conductingacommunityawarenessandeducationprogramtoprovideaccurate,up-to-date anduserfriendlyinformationto:

•AustralianGreekstoinformthemaboutthecomplexitiesassociatedwithhostingareturningfamilymember,relative,friendoracquaintance

•NewarrivalsfromGreecetoincreasetheirawarenessonarangeofissuesincluding:sourcesofinformation;theimportanceofEnglishlanguageskills;recognitionofskillsandqualifications;employment;incomeandfinances;navigatingthehousingmarket;accessingeducation;community,governmentandhealth services; transport;communicationandcommunityconnection.

1.4 Scoping theestablishmentofa SteeringCommittee toengageGreekcommunitygroups andorganisationstofacilitatethesharingof information,developingcollaborativeresponses tomeettheneedsofnewlyarrivedmigrants,raiseresourcesandminimiseanyduplicationin activitiesbenefitingnewarrivals.

1.5 EstablishingacareertransitionprogramtoofferguidancetonewlyarrivedmigrantsfromGreece and Cyprus to:


•develop clear career objectives andplans, personalmarketingmaterials and resiliencethrough a casemanagementmodel providing tailoring of services based on individualneedswith support where required. Such support should includementoring and careerguidance

•provide a series of seminars to new arrivals on developing resumes and cover letters,addressing key selection criteriawhere required, interviewpreparation, anddevelopingaffectivenetworkingtechniques,and

•raiseawarenessofemployerexpectations, rightsandentitlements forpaidemployment,andgenerallyeducatethemtoimprovethemarketabilityoftheirskillsandexperienceonpaperandatinterviews.

2. That the Australian Government consider resourcing appropriately the Australian Embassy inAthens to enable it to :

2.1 processpaper-basedapplicationsforGreekcitizensandcitizenshipbydescentapplicationsina timelyfashion

2.2 streamlinetheEmbassy’sprocesses,includingincreasingoperatingandcounterhours

2.3 updateitswebsitetobeavailableinboththeEnglishandGreeklanguages,inlinewithothernon- english speaking european countries

2.4 holdanannualexpotoadvisereliablyandaccuratelyonmattersrelatingtoAustralianmigration lawandvisas,education,costofliving,accommodation,employmentandhealthinAustralia, andthataReferenceCommitteeshouldbeestablishedtodevelopacriteriaforensuringthe appropriatenessoftheadvicegivenattheexpo.

3. ThattheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionconsider:

3.1 groupingtogetherallvisaswithachecklistoutliningtheprocess,thedocumentationandcost ofattainingeachvisainordertoimproveaccesstoinformation;aswellasregularlyupdatingthe checklist

3.2 makingavailablestafftoenablepotentialmigrantstocontactthemwhentheyhavespecific queries,aswellasablog,staffedbyappropriatelyqualifiedmigrationagentstoprovidetimely responsestoanyqueries

3.3 making available online theMigration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) list inGreek, withGreekspeakingmigrationagentsbeingnoted

3.4 providingeasilyaccessible,accurateandreliable informationonpathwaystopermanent residencyinAustraliaonitswebsite,includingprovidingtonewarrivalsaschedulesettingout thestandardfeesgenerallychargedforparticularservicesbymigrationagents

3.5 fundingEnglishlanguagetrainingfortemporaryvisaholders.

4. That the Commonwealth Department of Employment consider providing a wage subsidy toemployershiringmigrantswithoutpreviousworkexperience inAustralia, similar to the ‘RestartProgram’thatprovidessubsidiestoemployershiringAustraliansaged50+years.

5. ThattheVictorianGovernment,inlinewitharticle28oftheUnitedNationsHumanRightsConventionon the Rights of the Child (CRC) to which Australia is a signatory, article 26 of the UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR),article13oftheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR)considermakingavailablebothprimaryandsecondaryschoolingavailablefreetoallchildrenofschoolage,includingchildrenofGreekcitizenship.

6. ThattheVictorianDepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopmenttoconsiderissuesofidentityandself-esteemfornewarrivalchildrentransitioningtoschoolinVictoria;theirorientationintotheschool;instructionofEnglishasanadditionallanguage;teacherin-serviceeducationto


updateteachersonissuesandchallengesconfrontingnew-arrivalchildren,includingfriendships;theneedforteacher’saides;stateschoolsupporttosafeguardandpromotethewellbeingofnewarrivalchildren;andwhererequiredaccesstointerpreterstofacilitateschoolengagementwithparents.

7. ThattheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietyundertakethefollowingwithadditionalresourcesfromGovernment:

•publicizingwidelythelistofquestionsdevelopedtoensurefamily,relatives,orfriendsremainahelpfulresourcetonewarrivalsandassistthemtodrawaquasi-memorandumofunderstandingtoponderon,priortomakingadecisiontomigrate,facilitatetheircohabitationandhelpnewarrivalsthriveandprosper

•payingGoogleforsearchengineoptimisationtoensurepotentialmigrants inGreecegaineasyaccess to its website

•buildingonitsexistingcollaborationwithAustralianGreekcommunitymediaoutlets,suchasNeosKosmos,GreekMediaGroup,RadioRythmos,3ZZZ,SBSradioandZougla.gr/omogeniatooptimizethe delivery of information to new arrivals from Greece, and expand Greek radio programsdedicatedtoexchangingordonatinggoodsthatareprovingtobesohelpfultonewarrivals.

OtherinitiativesthatmayassistGreekcitizensmigratingtoAustraliaaredescribedbelow.AGWStoprovideadditionalassistancebysecuringresourcesfromtheStateandFederalgovernmentsandfromwithintheAustralianGreekcommunity.

8. Publicizewidely the listofquestionsdeveloped toensure family, relatives,or friends remainahelpfulresourcetonewarrivalsandassistthemtodrawaquasi-memorandumofunderstandingtoponderon,priortomakingadecisiontomigrate,facilitatetheircohabitationandhelpnewarrivalsthriveandprosper.

9. ThatAGWSthroughitsexistingapplicationtotheSettlementGrantsProgram,entersintodiscussionswiththeCommonwealthDepartmentofSocialServicestofacilitatetheallocationofresourcestoAGWStoinviteGreekcommunityorganisationstoworktogetherwithrelevantpolicymakers,industrynetworksandpractitioners to formtaskgroupsondevelopingevidence-basedpolicyadviceandsettlementservicesplanninganddevelopmentstrategies;aswellasaprocessforleveragingthesignificantexpertiseavailablewithinMelbourne’sGreekandbroaderAustraliancommunityforthebenefitofnewarrivalsfromGreece.Inparticular,considerdevelopingcreativeapproaches for:

9.1 advocating to the Department of Social Services to focus on the needs of new arrivals fromGreecetoensurebarrierstoparticipation,socialinclusionandwellbeingarereduced

9.2 developingacommunicationstrategyforadvocacytorelevantauthoritiesandmainstream serviceproviders, includingmigration,housing,employment,educationandsettlement,and toinformtheAustralianGreekcommunity,includingnewarrivals,onstrategyandservices

9.3 identifyappropriatestrategiestoassistnewarrivalstonegotiatewithpropertyownersorreal estateagentsfairtermsforaffordable,safeandcomfortablerentalhousinginacompetitive rental market, including references that can confirm the reliability and credit worthiness of the tenant

9.4 developing a voluntary billeting system to give Australian Greek families the opportunity toaccommodateforalimitedperiodnewmigrantsfromGreece;assistthemwithfindingrental accommodation;ifrequired,referthemtoamigrationagentorformalsupportservices,such astheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietyorotherAustralianGreekcommunityorganisations

9.5 establishing a home stay program for new Greek arrivals along the same principles astheFamilyHomeStaysuccessfullyusedtoaccommodateinternationalstudentsbyoffering asafeandstablehomelivingexperience,supportandpracticaladvicewithinanAustralian Greekculturalenvironment


9.6 advocating to the relevant Commonwealth and State Government Departments the formation of a single authority to assess, recognise and validate overseas qualifications inatimelyandcosteffectivemanner

9.7 highlighting to theCommonwealthDepartmentof Employment thecontributionsanewly arrived job seeker needs from employment services and employers to access and sustain quality and appropriately paid employment, as well as raising awareness within Victoria’s AustralianGreekcommunityofthestructuralbarrierstoemploymentfornewarrivals

9.8 establishing group and learning activities for new arrivals to enable them to share their ownskillsandexperienceswiththeirpeersasameansofovercomingsocialisolation,building networks and relationships with people in the Australian Greek community, as this can beanimportantmeansofidentifyingjobopportunities

9.9 using industrynetworks toestablishpartnershipswith localemployers tosecure internships, traineeshipsandemploymentwitha focusonplacingnewGreekarrivals inquality jobswith goodemploymentconditionstoenablethemtodevelopimportantAustralian-basedindustry skills, accreditationandexperience,while receivinganappropriatewageandconcurrently allowing them to practice their English, gain exposure to Australian workplace culture and developnetworksthatbuildjobopportunities

9.10advocatingtotheFairWorkOmbudsmantotakeproactivestepstoensurealltemporaryvisa holders and migrant workers in paid employment are paid at a minimum the National MinimumWageandpreventtheirexploitationintheworkplace

9.11organisingEnglishlanguageclassesforGreekcitizensineligibletoattendfreeEnglishlanguage learning programs in Australia by mobilizing retired English language teachers to teach in areas strategically located throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area, making use ofthemanyGreekregionalbrotherhoodbuildingsandwherenecessaryseekingthesupport ofmunicipalcouncilsandcommunityorganisations

9.12considering issuesof further trainingandeducation fornewarrivals toassist themtobuild an Australian based education profile, so important to access and sustain quality and appropriatelypaidemployment

9.13leveraging the resources of regional brotherhoods and associations as a means of strengthening thecapacity ofAustralianGreekcommunity structures to increase support tonewarrivalsfromGreeceandCyprus.

10.AdvocatetoMedicaretoreviewitsrequirementsforproofofintentionofAustralianCitizensandpermanentAustralianresidentsofGreekdescenttosettlepermanentlyinAustraliabeforetheycouldbeissuedwithaMedicarecard,giventhecurrentsituationinGreece,andnewarrivalsarerequiredbylawtodiscloseanyoffshoreassetsandforeignincomeintheirAustraliantaxreturn.

11.Advocate toCentrelink to strengthen itspolicies toensureAustralianCitizensandpermanentAustralianresidentsofGreekdescentaregivenaccesstointerpreterstominimisemisunderstandingsarising frompoor English language competency; reduce disagreement relating toCentrelinkadviceanddecisions; improvetimelyapprovalofclaims;andreducelongwaitingperiodsonthephone.

12.Advocate to theDepartmentof Social Services toconsiderallocatingadditionalemergencyreliefresourcestotheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietytoenableittoassistnewarrivalsfordifficulttimesandunexpectedexpenses,aswellaspreventandalleviatefinancialhardship.

13.Advocate that the information relating tokey support servicesand theDepartmentof SocialServicesbooklet “Beginninga life inAustralia:Welcome toAustralia”, thatare useful for newarrivals,beavailableanddistributedatstrategicpointsofentry,suchasAustralianCustomsatairportsandtheGreekConsulateinMelbourne.


14.AdvocatetotheGreekGovernmenttoconsiderallocatingemergencyrelief resourcestotheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietytoenableittoassistGreekcitizensarrivingtoVictoriafordifficulttimesandunexpectedexpenses,aswellaspreventandalleviatefinancialhardship.

15.AdvocatetotheGreekGovernmentconsiderflexibleapproachestoteenageboysapproachingtheageformandatorymilitaryserviceinGreeceatage18yearstoalleviatetheirconcernsofbeinglabelleddeserters,unduestressandhelpthemandtheirparentsatacriticaljunctureoftheirlife.

Part 2:THEEVIDENCEFORSUPPORTINGNEWLYARRIVEDGREEKS

There isgrowingevidence indicating thatnewlyarrivedmigrants fromGreece require support tosettleinAustralia.ThefollowingdiscussionprovidesanalysisofresearchundertakenbyAGWSaswellasreviewsofliteratureandpopulationdata.

LITERATUREREVIEW

baCkgrounD inforMation on new arriVals

Greece has beenexperiencinga severe economic crisis since 2010. Figure 1 belowdepicts thedramaticriseintheunemploymentrate,reachingnearly28percentofthelabourforceinthefirstquarter of 2014 (Hellenic Statistical Authority, July 2014) andwith youth unemployment close to58percent (OECD, 2013: 43). Participants at focusgroupmeetings conductedbyAGWS for thisstudyvoicedtheirconcernabouttheofficialemploymentfigures.Theyspokeofthegrimrealityofthehiddenunemploymentandunder-employment,ofexploitationwithworkersbeingunderpaid,uninsuredorlosingallentitlementsandofsomeemployerswhotrytoholdontotheiremployeesinthehopetheeconomywillturnaround.

figure 1:PercentageofadultandyouthunemploymentratesinGreece,2007-2013

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

25-74YEARS <25YEARS

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

PerC

enta

ge

8.3 7.7 9.512.6

17.7

44.4

24.3

55.3

27.3

58.3


source: eurostat, 2014

The economic crisis and fiscal consolidation haveworsened income distribution and poverty asunemploymenthasrisenandrealincomeshavedeclined.Thesocialimpacthasbeenexacerbatedbythelackofageneralsafetynetandlowandpoorlytargetednon-pensionsocialspending(OECD,2013:10).

The financial crisis is having severe social consequences. Inequality and poverty rose (OECD,2013:36)andother indicatorsalsopointtoworseningsocialconditions.Thenumberofhouseholdsinarrearsonmortgageorrentpaymentsdoubledbetween2008and2011,increasingvulnerabilitytohomelessness.Unmethealthcareneedsmayhaverisenandhealthoutcomesmayhavebeenaffected.Theeconomiccrisishasalsoresultedinalargeincreaseoftheuninsuredpopulation.Around10percentofthepopulationisnoteligibleforhealthinsurance,includingthelong-termunemployedandmanyself-employedworkersinarrearswithsocialfundcontributions,althoughtheycanusetheemergencyservicesofthepublichospitals(OECD,2013:37).

Asadconsequenceof theeconomiccrisis ravagingGreece is thatsuicidehas risensteadily inacountrywhere thenumberofpeople taking their own lifewascomparatively low.According toKlimaka,aNon-GovernmentOrganisationinGreece,336menand41womentooktheirownlifein2010.Theupwardtrendcontinuedin2011and2012,with393men(or17%)and84women(or105%)endingtheirownlifein2011andanother417men(or6.1%)and91women(or8.3%)in2012.Klimakaestimatesthatserioussuicideattempts(regardlessoftheoutcome)are15-20timesmorefrequentthanrecordedsuicides(TheEconomist,2013).

Equally as concerning is the rapid increase in depression and severe anxiety in children andadolescents. Their symptoms are directly attributed to the current financial crisis in Greece, inparticularthelossofparentalemploymentandfeelingsofanxietyaboutthefuture,aswellastheinabilityofparentstoprovidethenecessaryemotionalsupport. Therehasbeena9% increase indepressionbetweenJanuary2010andJanuary2013and24%increaseinanxiety/stressduringthesameperiod(Georganta,2013).

source: Zambikos Cartoonist

Thesignpointstowardsa:“RefugeeReceptionCentreoftheEuropeanUnion”andthecaptionbytheGreekmanstandingontheshoresofEurope(presumablyinGreece),amemberoftheEuropeanUnion,reads“intheendtheymademearefugeetoo”.

TwentyfiveyearsagoGreecewelcomedmorethan600,000Albanianswhowalkedoverthebordertostartanewlife.SmallernumbersofBulgarians,Romanians,Moldovans,Ukrainians,GeorgiansandRussiansalsogotatoeholdinGreece(TheEconomist,2009).


WithjobsinGreecebeingscarce,andagainstthebackdropsketchedinthepreviouspage,theflowhasturnedfromnetimmigrationtonetemigration.AccordingtotheWorldBankyoungGreeksaremovinginsearchofworktoGermany,theUnitedKingdom,Australia,Canada,Albania,Turkey,UK,Cyprus,IsraelandBelgium(TheWorldBank,2011).

Theseyoungpeoplearehighlyskilledandeducated,withthemajorityhavingatertiary-leveldegree(about60percent).HighformaleducationlevelshavealsobeenlinkedtohighoccupationaloutcomesforGreekmigrantswhohavesecuredemploymentinothercountries.(Jaueretal.,2014).UnliketheyoungmenandwomenwhobarelyfinishedprimaryschoolandhardlyspokeanyEnglishwhentheymigratedtoAustraliainthe1950sand1960s(Tsingas,1998),theproportionofGreekyoungpeopleaged20-24yearsthathaveattainedatleastuppersecondaryeducationlevelwas86.5percentin2013,whilsttheEuropeanUnion(EU)averagewas81.1percentandGermany’s76.8percent.Thoseaged30-34yearswhohavesuccessfullycompletedatertiaryorequivalentcoursewas34.6percentasopposedtotheEUaverageof36.5percentandGermany’s33.1percent(Eurostat,2014).

Greecealsohasoneof thehighestproportionof schoolagedchildrenstudyingEnglishwith96.1percentstudyingthislanguageatprimaryschoolasopposedto73.1percentintheEU;and91.4intheuppersecondarylevelwiththeEUaveragebeing92.7percent(Eurostat,2013edition:120-122).

Figure 2below indicatesa sharp increase in thenumberofarrivals fromGreece to the StateofVictoria inAustralia. Inaddition tobeinghighlyeducatedand skilled, the findingsof thecurrentstudyrevealthattheoverwhelmingmajority(83percent)havevaryinglevelsoffluencyintheEnglishlanguage.

ItislogicalthatanumberofthoseleavingGreecewouldchoosetheStateofVictoriainAustraliaasadestinationformigration.The2011ABSCensusindicatesthat162,000peopleofGreekancestrywerelivinginVictoria,with95percentresidingintheMelbournemetropolitanarea.Ofthose,117,000wereGreek-speakingand50,000wereborninGreece(ABS,2011Census).

figure 2:TotalnumberofGreekandCyprusresidentsarrivinginVictoria byCountryofCitizenship*,2006-07to2012-13

2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

COC AusTrAliA COC GreeCe COC Cyprus

Source:AustralianBureauofStatistics–NetOverseasMigrationarrivalscustomiseddata,2014 –seeAppendix1(Note:The2012-13numberofnewarrivalsisanestimate).

*COC–DenotesCountryofCitizenship

nu

Mbe

r o

f Pe

oPl

e a

rriV

ing

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

342

12 12 12 15 11 4 6 84 86

173

600

866

76 77 62 60

317 313 255

307 365

630

983

year of arriVal


WithsuchalargenumberofpeopleofGreekdescentlivinginVictoriaitisnotasurprisethatmorethanhalfofthosearrivingnowinVictoriahavehadsomeconnectionwithVictoria(ABSNetOverseasMigrationData,2014).TheywereeitherAustraliancitizensorAustralianpermanentresidentsofGreekdescentwhohadreturnedtosettle inGreeceorwerethechildrenofAustraliancitizensofGreekdescentcurrently residing inGreece.Ofthe108participants inthestudy,72 respondents(or66.7percent)indicatedthatonarrivaltoVictoriatheyresidedeitherwithfamily,relatives,orfriends.

Theyoungmenandwomenwhomigrated fromGreecetoAustralia in the1950sand1960swithonlytheirmenialskills,contributedenormouslytotheeconomic,culturalandsocial fabricoftheiradoptivecountry. This newwaveof youngmenandwomenarriving fromGreece,beinghighlyskilledandeducated,andbeingproficienttovaryinglevelsintheEnglishlanguage,isalsoexpectedtointegratesuccessfullyintoAustraliansocietyandaddvaluetoAustralia’seconomic,culturalandsocialcapital.WithanageingpopulationandthemuchtoutedskillshortageinAustralia,thecurrentrestrictive visa streamwhich poses immense challenges toGreek citizens applying for entry intoAustraliaislikelytodepriveAustraliaoftalentandknowledgethathasservedthecountrywellinthepast.

the Migration ProCess

There is broad consensuswithin the literature regarding the extent of diffiuclties experiencedbynewlyarrivedmigrantsacrossarangeofareasduringthesettlementperiod.Theseincludelackofbasicknowledgeoftheservicesandassistancethatareavailabletonewmigrants,problemsfindingaccommodationandemployment,communicationbarriers,education,health services, financialhardship, transport, general settlement issues, mental health, and issues relating to adjustment,particularlyforadolescentandteenagechildren(Burke&Stone,2014;EthnicCommunitiesCouncilofVictoria,2014;UnitedNations,2013;Amigo,2012;Texeira,2011;Somerville&Walsworth,2010;Leith,2009).Planningandpreparationduringthepre-migrationstage,however,cansignificantlyreducethenegativeeffectsandenhancethepositiveoutcomesofthemigrationsettlementprocess(UnitedNations,2013).Therearealsosomemoderatingfactorsthatarecriticalinminimisingthechallengesexperiencedduringthesettlementprocess.

Pre-Migration Planning anD PreParation

ForpotentialmigrantsinGreeceintendingtomigratetoAustralia,theneedforaccurateinformationduringthepre-migrationplanningandpreparationstageisessential(UnitedNations,2013:46).Theinternet and socialmedia such as Facebook, Twitter and online blogs offer a convenient waytoconnectwith relativesand friends living inAustraliaand seek information regardingvisasandimmigrationregulations.However,difficultiesexist inascertainingthereliabilityofsuchinformation.Inaccurateinformationandalackofawarenessaboutthelegalandadministrativerequirementsformigration“candelayorcomplicatetheprocessandmayputpotentialmigrantsatrisk”(UnitedNations,2013:39).

WhiletheAustralianEmbassyinAthenscouldbeareliablesourceofinformation,easilyaccessibleinformation on migration to Australia is not available through the Embassy. The culturally alienautomatedtelephonemenuusedbytheEmbassytogainaccesstotheappropriatesectionthatcaninformonmigrationissuesisdisempowering,andwherepeoplesucceedtogetthroughtotherelevantsection,theyarereferredtotheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionwebsite.The restricted availability of Embassy hours for enquiry for prospectiveGreek citizenswishing tomigrateandAustraliancitizensresidinginGreecereturningtoAustraliaaresourcesofhardshipanddiscouragement.TheprocessingofpaperbasedvisaapplicationsthroughtheAustralianEmbassyinBerlinposesafurtherhurdle,asistheprocessingofapplicationstoacquireAustraliancitizenshipby descent through the Australian High Commission in London (Greek Orthodox Community ofMelbourneandVictoria,2011).

The suggestionby theGreekOrthodoxCommunity ofMelbourneandVictoria for theAustralianEmbassytoextendthehourstoassist increasingnumbersofGreekmigrantswiththeirenquiriesaswellasestablishanoffice inAthens toprocess visaapplicationswithinGreece (GreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoria,2011:15-16)hastodatenotbeenheededbytheAustralianGovernment.


Intermediariessuchasmigrationandeducationagentsmaybeanothersourceofinformationforprospectivemigrants.Whilemanygivegenuinesupport,someareuntrustworthyandmaydeliberatelymisinformandmayevenclaimtheycanguaranteeavisainreturnforexcessivefees(UnitedNations,2013). TheAustralianDepartmentof ImmigrationandBorder Protectionwarnsagainst theuseofmigration agents who are not registered with their respective authorities overseas (Departmentof Immigration and Citizenship, 2013). Similarly, the State Government of Victoria warns againsteducationagentswhomisinformpotentialmigrantsregardinghighpaidemployment, lowcostoflivingandguaranteedstudentvisas(StateGovernmentofVictoria,2013).

faCtors Mitigating the Challenges of settleMent

Whileplanningandpreparationduring thepre-migration stage is acritical step in themigrationprocess,equallyasimportantistheknowledgetomitigatechallengesexperiencedduringtheinitialsettlementperiodvarygreatlyowingto:

•differencesinvisastream

•assessmentandrecognitionofqualifiactionsandexperience

•languageproficiency

•economicindependence

•labourmarketdiscriminationandexploitation,and

•thepresenseof family, relativesand socialnetworksarealsocentral to the initial stagesof thesettlementprocess

•the roleplayedbymigrant support services inassisting the settlement (NewZealandMinistryofBusiness,inovation&Employment,2013;Richardsonetal,2004;GovernmentofQueensland,2001;Fletcher,1999).

TheresultsfromtheContinuousSurveyofAustralia’sMigrantsandLongitudinalSurveyofImmigrantstoAustraliacommissionedbytheDepartmentof ImmigrationandBorderProtection indicatethatmigrants havedifferent labour outcomesdependingon their visa categoryand skill level. Thosemigrantssponsoredbyanemployer,theskilledindependentandthoseinthefamilystreamperformbetter(DepartmentofImmigration&Citizenship,2011:3).

Atransparent,effectiveandcrediblequalificationsassessmentandrecognitionprocessiscriticalforthelabourmarketintegrationofskilledmigrants(Fletcher,1999).Languageproficiencyisanotherfactor that iswidely recognisedasbeingcritical indeterminingeconomicand social settlementoutcomes(Spinks,2009;Fletcher,1999).Similarly,havingtheskillsandresourcestomaintaineconomicindependence; the absence of discrimination when applying for jobs and fair treatment in theworkplaceintheformoflegallyacceptableworkingconditions,properwagesorlackofexploitationall contribute to a successful settlement process (Velayutham, 2013; Australian Red Cross, 2012;Biddle,2012;Encina,2010).

Familyandsocialnetworksarealsocentraltotheinitialstagesofthesettlementprocess,byprovidingadvice,materialsupportandaccommodation(Richardsonetal,2004:66).Beingabletofeelsafeandsecure;restoringasenseofself♦worth;restoringasenseofdignity;regainingasenseofcontroloverone’slife;resolvingguilt;andprocessinggriefaboutthelossofselfandcountryallplayavitalroleincontributingtoasuccessfulsettlementprocess,particularlythosewhomigrateatanadvancedageorearlychildhood.Foradolescents,thequestionofpersonalidentitycanalsocreatetheissueofculturalconflict(Encina,2010;Burnett,1998).

NewarrivalstoAustraliarequireassistanceinanumberofdifferentareastohelpwiththeirsuccessfulintegration. Yet, designated settlement services are available only to permanent residents whohavearrivedashumanitarianentrantsorasfamilystreammigrantswithlowEnglishproficiency,anddependentsofskilledmigrantslocatedinaruralorregionalareawithlowEnglishproficiency(Spinks,2009).


Challenges faCeD on arriVal to australia

Theremainingsegmentoftheliteraturereviewofferssomeinsightintothechallengesnewarrivalsfaceinfindinghousing,assessingoverseasqualifications,securingemployment,earninganincomesufficienttosupportthemselvesandtheir families,accessingeducationalopportunities, improvingtheir English proficiency as an entry into work, accessing public transport, accessing healthcareservices,andadaptingtolifeinanewcountry(UnitedNations,2013;Richardson,etal,2004;Fletcher,1999;Burnett,1998).

Theabilitytosecureappropriatehousinginthedestinationcountryisacrucialfactorinamigrant’ssuccessful settlement (UnitedNations,2013; Texeira,2011;SomervilleandWalsworth,2010; TexeiraandLi,2009).SeveralstudieshavereportedthatsecuringaffordableandstablehousinginAustraliaisamajorissueforimmigrantsintheearlysettlementyears(EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2008; Turcic,2008;Departmentof ImmigrationandBorderProtection,2007; SouthCentralRegionMigrant Resource Centre, 2007; Richardson et al, 2004). The high cost of housing, competitionfor housing, lack of understandingof rights and responsibilities, problems getting references andbackgroundchecksandoftenthelengthyprocesscanseverelydisadvantagemigrantswhorequirehousinguponarrival(UnitedNations,2013).

Assessingandacceptingoverseas-gainedqualificationscanhaveamajor impacton settlementoutcomes for immigrants (Fletcher,1999)as theyareakeystep in re-enteringone’sprofessionoroccupationinAustralia(Burnett,1998)andthose“findingworkthatmakesuseoftheirqualificationsarelikelytobemoreproductiveonthejob,betterpaidfortheworktheydo,andhappieraboutthedegreeofintegrationintoAustraliansociety”(Richardsonetal,2004:4).Yettheprohibitivecostsassociatedwith supplementary courses and examinations and overly complex processes acrossnational and state regulatory bodies often prevent overseas qualifications and experience frombeingrecognised(RefugeeCouncilofAustralia,2011).

Migrantsfacesignificantbarrierstoemployment inAustralia, includinglackofknowledgeof localemploymentnetworks,poorunderstandingofthejobapplicationprocess,weakcommunicationskillsandthereluctanceofmanyemployerstorecogniseoverseasqualificationsandworkexperience,aswellasrequiringapplicantstodemonstrateAustralian-basedemploymentexperiencethusdenyingnewarrivalstheopportunitytoobtainentry-leveljobsthatwouldenablethemtogetthatexperience(AustralianBureauofStatistics,2013;EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2014;Lane2014).

Whileengagement inpaidworkgenerallyprovidespeoplewithspecificworkexperiencethat, incombinationwithskills,educationandtraining,potentiallyexpandstheirworkopportunities,includingworkwith higher responsibilities or remuneration, increases self-sufficiency, boosts self-confidenceandfosterscommunityintegration(EthnicCommunitiesCouncilofVictoria,2014;NelmsandTsingas2010),vulnerablemigrantscanbecometargetsforillegalworkandexploitation(EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2014;Hall&Partners,2012).Giventhatmigrantsareself-funded,theyarelikelyto face financial hardship until they are able to secure employment (UnitedNations, 2013). Thepresenceofasupportivesocialnetworkiscriticalhereinassistingmigrantstoovercomesettlementissues(UnitedNations,2013).

With increasedconcernover joband income security, there isacorrespondingacceptabilityofbasic employment, wages and conditions and preparedness to accept lower paid jobs or lessdesirableworkingconditions in order tomeet thecost of living (Southwell et al, 2010). However,whileemploymentisgenerallyseenassafeguardingagainstpoverty,peoplemayremainpoor“iftheirearningsareinsufficienttoprovidethemwithanadequateincome”particularlywhereworkislinkedtolowpay,lowskillsandprecariousjobs(NelmsandTsingas,2010:30).Thisisespeciallytrueforstudentvisaholderswhoarerestrictedinthenumberofhourstheyareabletoworkperweek,wheremanyareseriouslyexploited(Lane,2014;Turcic,2008).

Additionally,migrantscanalsobedisadvantagedwhenseekingemploymentdependingonwherethey live.Low levelsofaccessibility to transportcreatea transportdisadvantage,where lowcosthousingexists but is removed fromwell developedandefficient transport infrastructure (Burke&Stone,2014).Alackofpublictransportcanreducetheopportunitiesforemployment,accessibilityto education, health services, preventing community participation and increasing risks of socialexclusion(Burke&Stone,2014;VictorianCouncilofSocialService,2010).


Language acquisition and proficiency assists economic and psychosocial integration, throughemployment and further study pathways (Leith, 2009). However, not all migrants are eligible forlanguage learningprograms inAustraliawhichprovideup to510hoursof freeEnglish languagetuition(DepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection,2014).ThosenoteligiblefacesignificantcostsinundertakingEnglishLanguageIntensiveCoursesforOverseasStudents(ELICOS).TuitionFeesrangefrom$250perweekto$350perweekforregularELICOScourses.(ELICOS,2014).AnadditionalburdentothoseholdingstudentandothertemporaryvisasistherequirementtopaythousandsofdollarsayearinfeesfortheirchildrentoattendpublicschoolsinVictoria(VictorianEqualOpportunity&HumanRightsCommission,2012).

Inaddition,childrenundergoanumberofsocialchangesthroughexposuretotheirnewenvironment,reportingtraumaticexperiencesofnotunderstandingornotbeingabletoconnectwithnewpeers(Amigo,2012b).Adolescentsmaybedoublydisadvatangedthroughfurtherdisorientationastheyconfrontadjustmentissuesastheydevelopthemselves(UnitedNations,2013).

Languageservicesareessentialtoprovidingeffectiveandusefulhealthandcommunityservicestomigrants(Renzaho,2007).Highcostsofhealthservicescanrestrictmigrantsfromaccessingthem,as not allmigrants are eligible forMedicare benefits. Even so,migrants aremore susceptible tomental health issues in comparison to thegeneralpopulationwhichoccur throughdifficulties oftheirsettlementprocess(Kirmayer,etal.,2011).Theymayremainunawareoftheservices,suchascounselling, toaid them(UnitedNations ,2013). Tocombat this issue, ithasbeensuggestedthatculturallyappropriatehealthliteracyandpreventionstrategiesbeusedtoinformmigrantsofservicesavailabletothem(FederationofEthnicCommunities’CouncilsofAustralia,2010;Watters,2011).

Heedingtheabovesuggestion,theAustralianGovernmenthaspublishedabooklettitled“BeginningalifeinAustralia–WelcomeGuide”(DepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship,2012).Thebookletlistsfourpriorityareasforimmigrantstobecomeawareofduringtheinitialphaseoftheirsettlementprocess. These include,general settlement issuesuponarrival suchassettingupabankaccount(DepartmentofImmigrationandCitizenship,2012:4).Otherchaptersofthebookletincludeinformationonhousing,employment,healthandcommunityservices,demonstratingthelargenumberofareasthat newarrivals need tobeawareofabout living inAustralia (Departmentof ImmigrationandCitizenship,2012).

Across a range of areas the literature has shown that obtaining the correct information andknowledgeaboutthehostcommunityiscriticaltosuccessfulsettlement.Theliteraturehasalsogivenagoodappreciationof factorsmitigating thechallengesexperiencedandoffered some insightintothechallengesnewarrivalsface.Culturally-specificorganisationsthathavedevelopedaskillfulunderstandingofthesettlementprocess,areconsideredtobebetterplacedtoassistmigrants insuccessfullymanagingthosechallenges(EthnicCommunities’CouncilofVictoria,2014;Mwanri,etal.,2012;Texeira,2011;Sawtell,etal.,2010).Makingthisconnectioncanimproveaccesstoservicesandopportunities,promotesocialinclusionandboostself-esteem(Burke&Stone,2014;Somerville&Walsworth,2010;Texeira&Li,2009;Mwanri,etal.,2012).


AGws reseArCh

AGWS undertook research in 2013-14 to develop a detailed understanding of the number andcircumstancesofnewarrivalsfromGreecetoAustraliafollowingthefinancialcrisistherein2010,andtoproviderecommendationsforfuturedirection.Toachievethis,asurveywascompletedbynewarrivalsandfocusgroupconsultationswereconductedwithnewarrivalsandotherstakeholders.

Toundertakethisresearchproject,AGWSallocatedfundstoachievethefollowingobjectives:

1. To determine the number and profile of arrivals fromGreece using ABS and Department ofImmigrationandBorderProtectiondata

2. Toexaminethesourcesof informationusedbypotential immigrants inGreece;theaspirationsofnewarrivalsandpathwaystoachievethoseaspirations;andthechallengesfacedduringthesettlementprocessinAustralia.

3. ToprovidebroadrecommendationstoenablecapacitybuildingthatrespondsappropriatelytotheneedsofnewarrivalsfromGreece.

researCh MethoDs

To achieve these objectives, a range of research methods were applied, including a literaturereview,dataanalysisandaconsultationstrategytoensuretheinclusionofviewsfromarangeofkeystakeholders.TheliteraturereviewexploredthecausesofthecurrentinflowofmigrantsfromGreecetoAustralia;italsoexaminedtheimportanceofinformationinpreparingforandreducingtherisksassociated with migration; the moderating factors that are critical in minimizing the challengesexperiencedduringthesettlementprocess;andthechallengesfacedonarrivaltoVictoria.

Inconductingthestudyacombinationofqualitativeandquantitativeapproacheswereusedtocanvas theviewsandperspectivesof key stakeholdersabout the issues, challengesand factorshelpful tosettlement.Stakeholders includednewarrivals,migrationagents,AGWScaseworkstaff,a secondary school, a key informant from the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne andVictoria,ahandfuloffamilies,relativesandfriendssourcedopportunistically,aneducationprovider,and Australian Greeks discussing the issues confronting new arrivals at social gatherings. Datawascollected,viaanarrayofdatacollectionmethods includingasurveytool,asemi-structuredconsultationtooltofacilitatefocusgroupmeetings,andde-identifieddataavailablethroughtheorganisation’scaseworksupportteam.

OnehundredandeightnewarrivalsfromGreececompletedthesurveyandnearlyfortynewarrivalsandfivemigrationagentsattendedthefocusgroupmeetings.Thecombinationofaskingnewarrivalstocompleteasurvey,seekingtheviewsofnewarrivalsandmigrationagentsthroughseveralfocusgroupmeetings,usingde-identifiedAGWSclientdataandinformationsourcedopportunisticallywasanimportantstrategy,asitenabledAGWStogainamoresubstantivepictureofthereality,andameansofverifyingwithseveralsourcesandtogainmultipleperspectives.

the surVey

Todevelopadetailedunderstandingof theneedsofnewarrivals fromGreeceand the typeofdifficultiesexperiencedduringtheirsettlementprocess,anextensivesurveytoolwasdeveloped.ThesurveytoolwasdevelopedbyAGWSseniormanagementstaffandvalidatedwithfournewarrivalspriortotheresearchercomingonboard.

OisterOnlineSurveyswereengagedtoassistAGWStorefinetheSurveyquestionsinboththeEnglishandGreekversions;emailoutthesurveysandreceiveresponses;collatethedataandundertakesomepreliminaryanalysis.

NewarrivalsweredeemedtobethoseAustraliancitizens,AustralianpermanentresidentsofGreekdescentreturningafteralongperiodofpermanentlyresidinginGreece,andGreekcitizensarrivinginAustraliausuallyasstudentsandskilledmigrants.However,peoplecouldrespondtothesurveyonlyiftheyhadmigratedtoAustraliafollowingtheonsetofthedisastrousfinancialcrisisinGreecein2010.

32 the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes 33

Thisstrategywasemployedtoelicitsomedemographicinformationfromeachrespondent,theirvisastatus,livingarrangements,sourcesofinformationpriortotravellingtoAustraliaandappropriatenessofthosesources,theiraspirationsandpathwaystoabetterfutureandsettlement,andchallengesfacedonarrival.

TomeetthescopeofthestudyaletterwaspreparedinvitingnewarrivalsfromGreecetocompleteastructuredquestionnaire.BoththeletterandquestionnairewerewrittenintheGreekandEnglishlanguage.Theletterstatedtheaimofthesurveyandthereasonsnewarrivalswereaskedtorespondto the survey. The letter also stated that their collective contribution was expected to make asignificantdifferencetoAGWS’understandingoftheissuesandchallengesfacingnewarrivalsfromGreeceandhelpAGWStoworktogetherwithGreekcommunitygroupsinVictoriatominimisethenegativeimpactsandenhancethepositiveoutcomesofmigrationfornewarrivals.

foCus grouP Meetings with new arriVals anD Migration agents

Asemi-structuredconsultationtoolwasdevelopedtofacilitatethefocusgroupmeetings.Itconsistedofquestions thatwerewritten inadvance, takingcareof thewordingof thequestionsand theirsequence.Everyeffortwasmadetoaskallfocusgroupmeetingsthesamequestionsinthesamesequencealthoughsupplementaryquestionswereposedwherenecessarytoclarifyapointortoelicitadditionalinformationrelevanttotheissueunderconsideration.Theseenabledtheresearchteamtomaximisethecompatibilityofresponsesandtoensurethatcompletedataweregatheredfromeachfocusgroupmeetingonallrelevantquestions.Thebroadareasexploredatfocusgroupmeetingsincluded:

•Sourcesofaccurateinformationpriortoandpostarrival

•Englishlanguageproficiency

•Facilitatorsforasuccessfulsettlementprocess

•DifficultiesencounteredonarrivaltoAustralia.

Tomeetthescopeofthestudynewarrivalswereinvitedtoeithercompletethesurveyorparticipateinfocusgroupmeetings,whilstmigrationagentswereaskedtoparticipateinafocusgroupmeeting.To ensure asmany people accepted the invitation, the survey and focus groupmeetingswerepromotedextensivelythrough:

•TheassistanceofMelbourne’sGreekmediaoutletsincludingNeosKosmos;TaNeaand3XYRadioHellasoftheGreekMediaGroup;RythmosRadio;and3ZZZradio

•Collaborationwith theGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoria toensureGreekbilingual andGreekafternoon schoolswere involved in promoting the survey to newly arrivedparents

•Governmentschoolswithan increasingnumberofnewarrivalstudentsweretargetedtoo,withoneSecondaryschoolprovidingsignificantsupportinthiseffort.

•TheAGWSkioskattheannualAntipodesfestivalorganisedbytheGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoriaandtheannualpicniceventorganisedbytheAssociationofGreekElderlyCitizensClubsofMelbourneandVictoria

•Wordofmouth,particularlythroughnewarrivals,and

•AGWScaseworkerservices,itsMigrationAgentsService,InformationandReferralservice,VolunteerprogramsandAGWSseminars.

Those that showed an interest in completing the survey were given a copy of the letter andquestionnaireandaself-addressedenvelope.Alternatively,newarrivalswithaccesstoacomputerwereencouraged tocompleteadigital versionof thequestionnaireand forward it by email toAGWS,orcompleteitonline.


Asstatedearlier,108newarrivalsfromGreececompletedthesurveyandnearlyfortynewarrivalsandfivemigrationagentsattended the focusgroupmeetings.All survey respondentsand focusgroupparticipantswereself-selected.However,consideringthesex,householdtypes,andareaofresidenceofbothrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipants, itwouldappearthestudycaptureda cross section of newarrivals.Of the 108 respondents that completed the survey questions, 54weremenand54werewomen,althoughmorewomenattendedthefocusgroupmeetings.Bothsurvey respondents and focus group participants resided in suburbs throughout Melbourne andsomethroughoutsuburbsinSydney.Ofthe108surveyrespondents,96wereresidinginMelbourne,11 inSydneyand1 inAdelaide.Nearly55percentofrespondentsweremarriedor inadefactorelationship.Of those, twiceasmanyhadchildren.Nearly20percentof respondentsweresingleparentsandaquarterwassinglepersons.

Theletteraccompanyingthequestionnaireandthesemi-structuredconsultationtoolassuredpotentialparticipants that the information theyprovided in completing the surveyquestionsandat focusgroupmeetingswouldremainconfidential.Thesurveyquestionnairewascompletedanonymously,whileatfocusgroupmeetingsparticipantswerereassuredthatanyinformationtheyprovidedwouldremainconfidentialandthatnoindividualwouldbeidentifiedinthereport.Alldatawouldbede-identifiedandno statements in the reportwouldbeattributed toany individual.Datawouldbeaggregatedthematically.Permissionwassoughtfromallparticipantsbeforethecommencementofeachfocusgroupmeetingtodigitallyrecordthemeetings.Allmeetingsweredigitallyrecordedandcopiouswrittennotesweretakenatallmeetings.

Alldigitallyrecordedinterviewsweretranscribedandarekeptsafelyinacomputerfilerequiringapasswordtoaccessthem.Duringanalysis,whereitprovednecessaryduetogapsintherecordings,theresearcherreferredtothewrittennotes.Thesearekeptinalockedcabinet.Thematicanalysiswasusedtoidentify,analyseandreportpatterns(themes)withintheresponsesreceived.

interPreting the results

Responses to the surveyquestions and thoseof focus groupparticipants arebrought tobear intheparticularsectiontopicasrequiredtoprovidearoundedpictureoftheissuestohand.Whereappropriate,boththerelevantliteratureandanyanecdotalmaterialareprovidedtocontextualizefindings.

The following factors should be considered when interpreting the results:

•Respondentsoftendidnotanswerallofthequestionsinthesurvey.Therefore,althoughtherewere108 completed survey questionnaires,manyquestions showa total response of something lessthan this figure. Percentageswerecalculatedaccordingly.Onecanonly speculateas towhynewarrivalswouldnotanswersomequestions.Perhapssomeweretoorevealingofsensitiveissues,forinstance,emotionalwellbeing,orsocialisolation.Otherquestionsmaysimplydidnotapplytotherespondent’ssituation,forexamplevisatypeforAustraliancitizens,ordifficultywithMedicareor Centrelink for Greek citizens who were ineligible to receive a Medicare card or Centrelinkentitlements.

•Newarrivals’responsesprovideapictureoftheirperceptionsanddesires.Subjectivecriteriawerenecessarily used in response tomany questions, although inmany cases also these responsescouldbecontextualizedandcomparedagainstdatafromothersources.Forinstance,newarrivalperceptionscouldbejudgedagainstthoseofcaseworkdataandfromotherresearch.

•Theomissioninthesurveytooltoelicitinformationonrespondentqualificationswastosomeextentfilled by focus groupparticipantswhowere overwhelmingly university educated, although thenumberwaslessthanhalfofthesurveyrespondents.Whilealimitationofthisstudy,asothermorepressingrequirementstookprecedence,andthereforetheneedtoenquireabouttheexperiencesoftheAustralianGreekhostswasnotconsidered,anecdotalevidencesuggestthatoveralltheywerehappywiththenewarrivalstheyhadhosted.


researCh finDings

oVerView

OverallthedataprovidedasubstantivepictureofthenumberandcharacteristicsofnewarrivalsinVictoria,thesourcesofinformationusedbypotentialimmigrantsinGreecetoplanforandreducethe risksassociatedwithmigrationprior to travelling toAustralia, identifiedpathways forabetterfutureonceinAustralia,andthechallengesfacedonarrival.Thesecharacteristics,pathwaysandchallengesarediscussedintheensuingpagesandwhereappropriaterelevantparticipantcommentsarehighlightedtocontextualizefindings.

The research study sought to canvass the views and perspectives about the issues, challengesand factorshelpful to settlement fromnewarrivals,migrationagentsand staffwithan interest inthem.AGWSpartneredwith theGreek-speakingprintanddigitalmedia, usedextensivelyGreekcommunityeventssuchastheAntipodesfestival,andGreekcommunityorganisationstoassistwiththerecruitmentprocessofnewarrivalsforthisstudy.

While survey respondents, focus group participants and staff identified and spoke from theirperspectiveasnewarrivals,migrationadvisers,caseworkersandcounsellors;somehadwitnessedtheprocessofmigrationasyoungchildrenoradultsinearlieryears,somehadoftenheardtheirparentsandgrandparents reminisceandalldrewontheircumulativeexperiencesasappropriate.A fewnewarrivalsenrichedthedatabysharingtheirexperiencesofEasternEuropeanandMiddleEasternimmigrantslivinginGreeceandtheparallelstheycoulddrawwiththeirowncurrentsituation.

In addition, research participants were remarkably candid about their views on all issues; theirresponseswere largely influencedbytheirowncircumstances,determinedprincipallybythevisastreamunderwhichtheyhadarrivedinAustralia.Forexample,someofthequestions,particularlythoserelatingtovisarequirementswerenotapplicabletoAustraliancitizensandpermanentresidentsofGreekdescent.Ontheotherhand,GreekcitizenswereineligibletoreceiveaccesstoMedicare,Centrelinkandnationalemployment servicesand therefore their lackof response reflected that.Nevertheless,allrespondentswerekeentorespondsothatVictoria’sAustralianGreekcommunity,serviceproviders,policyanddecision-makerswerethoroughlyinformedoftheiraspirations,challengesandsuggestionstoensurepotentialmigrantsfromGreeceandothercountrieslearnfromtheirown,attimestraumatic,experiences.

Thesurveyandfocusgroupparticipantsveeredawayfromfuturepredictionsaboutthenumberofpotentialmigrants,butthegrimrealityofthehighrateofunemployment,thehiddenunemploymentandunder-employmentinGreecewerenotacauseforoptimism.Focusgroupparticipantswishedthat it stoppedbut,agreed thatmigration toothercountries, includingAustraliawill continue togrowintheforeseeablefuture.TheyalsoagreedthatthearrivalofmigrantsfromGreecepresentsachallengetoVictoria’sGreekcommunity,serviceproviders,policyanddecisionmakerstoworktogethertoensuremigrantsfromGreeceandothercountriesaresociallyincluded,highlyproductiveandengagedcitizensofAustralia.

Profile of new arriVals froM greeCe anD CyPrus

OneoftheconsequencesoftheunprecedentedfinancialcrisisinGreeceisthesharpincreaseinthenumberofarrivalsfromGreeceinVictoria.BasedonABSNetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoriaofGreekandCypriotresidentsbycountryofcitizenshipandcountryofbirthitcanbestatedwithhighdegreeofconfidence thatat least4,141 residentsofGreeceandCyprusarrived inVictoriabetweenthe2009-10and2012-13financialyears.


Country of residence: Greece and Cyprus CountryofBirth:Australia,Greece&Cyprus

Financial year

table 1:TotalnumberofarrivalstoVictoriaofGreekandCypriotresidentsbycountryofcitizenship,2005–2013

2005-06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13

Australia 342 317 313 255 307 365 630 983#

Greece 84 76 77 62 86 173 600 866#

Cyprus 12 12 4 6 11 12 15 60#

Total arrivals

438 405 394 323 404 550 1245 1942#

Source:AustralianBureauofStatistics(ABS)NetOverseasMigration**Formoredetailsrelatingtothistable,seeAppendix1.#Thesefiguresareanestimate,asABSdatafor2012-2013willbeavailableinApril2015

However,anestimated2,174GreekcitizensthathadarrivedinVictoriaonshorttermvisasbetween2009-10and2012-13mayhavedonesowiththeintentionofexploringthepotentialforremaininginVictorialong-termoratleastuntilthefinancialcrisisinGreecerecedes.AnecdotalevidencesuggestthatsucharrivalschangetheirtouristvisatostudentvisasonshoreandthereforedonotappeartocontributetothefinalNOMastheABS isunableto incorporatetheminthefinalcount(formoredetailedanalysisseefootnote3below).

Ifthese2,174Greekcitizens intendingtostayinVictoria longtermareaddedtothe4,141arrivalsabove,thenanestimated6,3153 peoplefromGreecemigratedtoVictoriabetween2009-10and2012-13.OfthosethathadarrivedinVictoriabetween2009-10and2011-12,1,302(or59.2percent)heldAustraliancitizenshipand859(or39.1percent)heldGreekcitizenship),with38(or1.7percent)beingCypruscitizens.

Table1alsoindicatesthat2,199GreeceandCyprusresidentsmigratedtoVictoriabetween2009-10and2011-20124andthatanestimated2,742newarrivalssettledinVictoriain2012-20135.

...........................................................................

3Toderivethe6,315estimate,AGWStooktheaggregateof2,199from2009-10to2011-12financialyearsforABSNOMGreeceandCyprusarrivalstoVictoria(Table1inAppendix1),addedtothisaggregatethe2012-13AGWSestimateof1,942people(seefootnote4below),andtheAGWSestimateof2,174forthosepeoplethathadarrivedonshort-termvisasbetween2009-10and2012-13withtheintentionofexploringthepotentialforremaininginVictorialong-termoratleastuntilthefinancialcrisisinGreecerecedes.The2,174estimateiscalculatedusingtheyearlyincreaseabovethe2,364averagenumberofshort-termarrivalsfromGreecebetween2005-06and2009-10[ForyearlyshorttermarrivalsseeTable1,inAppendix3,ABS,June2014,customiseddata–Cyprusshorttermarrivalswerenotused,astheshorttermarrivalsfromCyprusappeartobeconstantbetween2005-06and2012-13].Theyearlyincreaseabovetheaveragewas46newarrivalsin2009-10;226in2010-11;1076in2011-12;and826in2012-13,[i.e.,46+226+1076+826=2,174].Thetotalaggregateis:2,199+1,942+2,174=6,315newarrivalsbetween2009-10and2012-13.

4NofigureswereavailablethroughtheABSfor2012-13(Table1inAPPENDIX1)

5Toarriveattheestimated2,742numberofnewarrivalsfor2012-2013,AGWSappliedthe56percentincreasebetween2011-12and2012-13forABSNOMGreeceandCyprusarrivalstoVictoriaforsomemigrationstreamvisas(seeTable2inAPPENDIX2)totheTotalABSNOMAustralia,Greece&Cypruscitizenshiparrivalsof1245for2011-2012[i.e.,1245x56/100=697.2estimatedincreaseoftotalarrivalsbetween2011-12and2012-13].Thisaddstoatotalnumberof1942Australian,Greece&CypruscitizenshipnewarrivalstoVictoriafor2012-13[i.e.,1245+697.2=1942].AGWShasalsoaddedanother800,bringingthetotalnumberofnewarrivalsto2,742[1942+800=2,742].AccordingtotheABS,anadditional3,190GreektravellersarrivedinVictoriaonshorttermvisasin2012-2013(ABS,June2014,customiseddata,seeTable1inAppendix3).Giventhattheaveragenumberofshort-termvisitorarrivalspriortothefinancialcrisisinGreecerangedbetween2,300to2,400annually(Table1inAppendix3),AGWSestimatesthataround800ofthe3,190peoplethathadarrivedonshort-termvisasin2012-13didsowiththeintentionofexploringthepotentialforremaininginAustralialong-termoratleastuntilthefinancialcrisisinGreecerecedes.

Country of Citizenship


Apart from Australian citizens and permanent Australian residents of Greek descent returning to Victoria, the most common visas used to migrate to Australia included: family migration,temporarywork(skilled–Visa457),student,bridging,othertemporary,specialeligibilityandothernon-program (for number of Greek citizens migrating under each of these visa categories, see Table1inAPPENDIX2).

Atthisstage,itisnotpossibletomakeanyprojectionsaboutthelikelynumberofnewarrivalsoverthenextfewyears.However,asthecrisisislikelytoendureanumberofyearsandgiventhelargenumberofAustraliancitizensofGreekdescentcurrently residing inGreece (theGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoria,citingfiguresfromtheAustralianEmbassyinAthensputsthenumberashighas100,000people),wecanassumewithhighdegreeofconfidencethatmanywillcontinuetoreturnoverthenextfewyears.Thecriticalissuewillbetheageprofileofthesepeoplereturning,bearinginmindmanyareageingthere.

Judging by feedback received from survey respondents and focus group participants, it wouldappearthatmostnewarrivalslackbasicknowledgeofthelocalservicesandexperiencedifficultiesinaccessingsupports.SinceAGWShasalwaysbeenthefirstportofcallforGreek-speakingpeopleinMelbourneintheirefforttonegotiatetheAustralianservicesystem,itisalsocustomaryformanynewarrivalstocallonAGWSintheirtimeofneed.Ofthe108respondents,45(or41.7percent)hadcontactwiththeAGWS.ThesurveyindicatesthatAGWSisexperiencingseriousdifficultiesinrespondingtotheneedsofnewarrivalsofGreeceandCypruscitizenshipastheydonotfittheeligibilitycriteriaforservicesofferedbymigrantsupportservicesandduetolackofgovernmentfundingtoenableAGWStoextenditssettlementsupportservices,currentlyfundedthroughfund-raisingactivities.

AustralianresidentsreturningfromGreecemayfallintooneofthefollowingfivecategories:

(a)thosewhohadspentsomeyears inAustraliaandhadacquiredAustraliancitizenship throughnaturalisationandthenreturnedtostaypermanetlyinGreece

(b)thoseborninAustraliawhohadreturnedasyoungchildrentostaypermanentlyinGreecewiththeir parents

(c)thoseborninGreecethathadacquiredAustraliancitizenshipbydescent

(d)thosewhohad lived inAustralia foranumberofyearsandhadmaintained theirpermanentAustralianresidency,and

(e)those who had lived in Australia for a number of years but had never acquired AustralianCitizenshipandnowhadtoprovethattheyhadasignificantclaimtoAustralianresidency.

TheseAustraliancitizensandpermanetAustralian residentsonarrival toVictoriaandgenerally toAustralia experience significant challenges in finding housing, assessing overseas qualifications,securingemployment,earninganincomesufficienttosupportthemselvesandtheirfamilies,accessingeducationalopportunities,improvingtheirEnglishproficiencyasanentryintowork,accessingpublictransport,accessinghealthcareservices,andadaptingtolifeinanewcountry.Thisgroupconstitutenearlysixrtypercentofthenewarrivals.

TheremainingnewarrivalsinVictoriaareGreekcitizensfacingsomeadditionalchallengestothoseexperienced by returning Australian citizens and permanent residents. Unless, they have beensponsoredbyapartner,orhavesecuredapermanetresidentvisathroughthePointsBasedSkilledMigrationor the EmployerNominated Scheme, their only other option is toarrive inAustralia ontemporaryvisas,usuallystudentthat,securethemonlyshort-termstaysandanuncertainfuture.

ArrivalsontouristvisasarenotentitledtoworkinAustralianoraretheyentitledtofreehealthcare,subsidisededucationorsocialsecuritybenefits.Similarly,thoseonstudentvisasarenoteligibleforfreehealthcare,childcare,subsidisededucationorsocialsecuritybenefits,althoughtheyarepermittedtowork20hoursperweekandunlimitedhoursduringsemesterbreaks.Anyoneworkingmorethanthepermittedhoursfaceatalltimestheprospectofbeingdeportedfromthecountry.Temporaryvisasaregrantedforadefinedlimitedperiodandpeopleintendingtorenewthemhavetoshowvalidreasonstosucceed.


Managingone’sdailyexpensesonanincomederivedfrom20hoursofworkisvirtuallyimpossible,giventhehighcostof livingandtuitionfees forenrolledcoursesatatertiary institution inVictoriaoratprimaryandsecondaryschoolsformigrantswithschoolagedchildren.Thismayforcesomenewarrivalson studentvisas toworkbeyond thepermitted20hours, riskingexploitationand therevocationoftheirvisa.

Onaveragearound80Greekcitizensand10CypruscitizenswerearrivinginVictoriaeachfinancialyearbetween2005-06and2009-10.During the sameperiod,around300AustraliancitizenswerearrivinginVictoriaeachfinancialyear,afteralongstayinGreece(ABS,NOMdata,customiseddata,seeTable1,Appendix1).Thenumberofnewarrivalsfromallthreecitizenshipcountriesresidinglong-terminGreeceorCyprusstartedtoescalatein2010-11withatotalof550peoplearrivingin2010-11,anupsurgeof36.1percent,thenmorethandoublingto1245(or126.4percentincrease)in2011-12andreachinganestimated1942 in2012-13an increaseof56percentfromthepreviousfinancialyear(seeFigure2above,ortheABS,NOMdata,customiseddata,seeTable1,Appendix1).

Figure3andAppendix2depictthenumberofarrivalsinVictoriawithGreeceandCypruscitizenshipandyearlyincreasebymigrationstream.

Thevisasmostcommonlyusedby peopleofGreeceandCypruscitizenship toarrive inVictoriabetween2010-11and2012-13werea)‘other temporary visas’;b)‘student visas’;c)temporary work (skilled – visa 457);d)family migration;ande)‘working holiday maker’foronlyCypruscitizens,astheagreementwithGreecerelatingtothisvisahasyettobeoperationalized.ForadefinitionofeachoftheabovevisasrefertothelastpageofAppendix2.

Figure 3 also shows that there has beena significant increase inGreeceandCyprus citizenshiparrivalsunderallfivevisacategories.However,theincreaseislargelyduetomigrationfromGreeceratherthanCyprus(ABS,NOMdata,customiseddata,seeTable2,Appendix2).

figure 3:NumberofnewarrivalsofGreekandCypruscitizenshipbymigrationvisastream, 2005-06to2012-13

2010-11 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

STUDENTVISA OTHERTEMPORARYVISAS TEMPORARYWORK(SKILLED-VISA457)

FAMily MiGrATiON wOrkiNG hOlidAy MAker

Source:AustralianBureauofStatistics–NetOverseasMigrationArrivalscustomiseddata–seeAppendix2

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0 66

16 16

116

58

120 118

20 19 51

254

194

593

744

year of arriVal

nu

Mbe

r o

f a

rriV

als


Table1,inAppendix4indicatesthatthemajorityofGreekcitizensarrivingtostudyinVictoriaprimarilyenrollinVocationalEducation&Training(VET)orinEnglishLanguageIntensiveCourseforOverseasStudents(ELICOS).Ofthe242arrivalsin2012-13,143(or59.1percent)enrolledinaVETcourseand82(or32.3percent)inanELICOScourse,withonly13(or5.4percent)studyingintheHigherEducationSector.Priorto2011-12therewerehardlyanypeoplewithGreekcitizenshipstudyinginVictoria.Thischangedin2011-12when111peoplearrivedtostudyandin2012-13thenumbermorethandoubledto242.

Figure4andAppendix3showthatonaverageapproximately2900peoplewithGreeceandCypruscitizenshipvisitedVictoriaeachyearfrom2005-06to2009-10intendingtostaylessthan12monthsbeforereturningbacktoGreeceorCyprus.Ofthese2900,2364peopleheldGreekcitizenshipand540Cypruscitizenship.

From2009-10thenumberofshort-termvisitorarrivalsstartedincreasingsignificantlyforthosearrivingfromGreecebutremainedapproximatelythesameforthosearrivingfromCyprus.AsthenumbersfromGreecestartedincreasingin2010-11,onecanhypothesizewithsomedegreeofconfidencethatthoseabovethe2364averagevisitingVictoriaeachyeardidsowiththeintentionofexploringthepossibilityofapplyingforanalternativevisathatwouldenablethemtoremaininAustralialonger-termoratleastuntilthefinancialcrisisinGreecerecedes.Approximately800–1000short-termvisitorsprobablyfellinthiscategorybetween2011-12and2012-13.

figure 4:Totalnumberofshort-termtravellerarrivalsbyGreekandCypruscitizenship, Pre-2010-11(average)to2012-13

2010-11

(average)

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

GREEKCITIZENSHIP CYPRUSCITIZENSHIP TOTALGREECEANDCYPRUSCITIZENSHIP

Source:AustralianBureauofStatistics–NetOverseasMigrationarrivalscustomiseddata–seeAppendix3

4500

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

2364

2900

3270

3990 3700

540 550 510

680

2590

3440 3190

year of arriVal

nu

Mbe

r o

f tr

aV

elle

rs


CharaCteristiCs of agws surVey resPonDents

Thesurveyindicatesthatofthe108respondents:

•Ninety-one(or84.3percent)hadarrivedinAustraliainthelastthreecalendaryears(2011-13)andonly17or15.7percentarrivedprior to2011,mirroringthesharp increase in thetotalnumberofarrivals fromGreece toVictoria (ABS–NetOverseasMigrationarrivalsdata– seeFigure2andAppendix1).

•MostoftherespondentswereborninGreece(67peopleor62percent),22people(or20.4percent)wereborn inAustraliaandaroundsixpercent ineachCyprus,Egyptandotherplaces,suchasArmenia,Germany,MontenegroandZimbabwe.

•Unlike thewave ofGreekmigrants arriving in the 1950s and 1960s, arrivals have varying levelsofEnglish languageproficiency. Thirty four (or31.5percent)of respondents indicated that theyspeak English verywell, 33 (or 30.6percent) speak the English languagewell,whilst 11 (or 10.2percent)attainedanIELTSleveland12(or11.1percent)haveanaveragelevel.Oftheremainingrespondents,16(or14.8percent)didnotspeakEnglishwelland2(or1.9percent)notatall.

•Forty-three (or39.8percent)wereAustraliancitizensorpermanent residents;20or18.5percentarrivedona tourist visaand11or 10.2percentona studentvisa.Of the remaining, 19or 17.6percentarrivedeitheronapartnervisa,familysponsorship,carerorheldabridgingvisa.

•ThesurveyindicatesthatnewarrivalshavestrongconnectionswithMelbourne’sGreekcommunity.Ofthe108respondents,72(or66.7percent)claimedthattheyhadresidedwithfamily,relatives,friendsorsponsoronarrivaltoAustralia.Athirdofnewarrivalswerecontinuingwiththesearrangements,andmorethanhalfof thosewhoarestayingwith familyor friendsareeitherAustraliancitizens,permanentresidentsorhaveatouristvisa.ThosestayingwithfamilytendtobeAustraliancitizensorpermanentresidentsandthosestayingwithrelativestendtoholdatouristorstudentvisa.

•As expected, after the initial fewmonths, people tend tomove away from living with family,relativesorfriendstoestablishtheirownhousehold.Themajorityrelocatedprimarilytoprivaterentalaccommodation.Peoplepreferringthisoptionincreasedfrom11respondents(or10.2percent)to44(or40.7percent).Onarrival,22(or20.4percent)ofrespondentsstayedinahotel,boarding,studentorsharedaccommodation.Thosecontinuingwiththeselivingarrangementsreducedto8 (or 7.4 percent).Only oneperson,who is anAustraliancitizen, indicatedbeing homeless onarrivalandayearlatercontinuingtobehomeless,whilstanotherfoundaccommodationinpublichousing.Sixteenrespondentsdeclinedtoprovidearesponseoncurrentlivingarrangements.

•While on arrival two respondents had their own home, this increased to five on current livingarrangements.AllfivehadsomepriorconnectionwithAustralia.TheywereeitherAustraliancitizens,permanentresidentsorthepartnerofanAustraliancitizen.

•Twenty-one(ornearly20percent)heldfull-timeemploymentwithtwobeingself-employedandonesponsoredbyanemployer,while32(or29percent)heldapart-timeorcasualjob.Mostofthosewhoheldafull-time,part-timeorcasualemploymentwereeitherAustraliancitizens,permanentresidents,hadaworkingoremployersponsoredvisa.Ofthe11arrivalsonstudentvisa,aspermitted,fourwerestudying,threewereemployedonapart-timebasisandonlyonefloutingDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionregulationsbyworkingfull-time,anotheronewasunemployedandtwodidnotrespond.

•Significantlymorerespondents32(or29.6percent)wereemployedonapart-timeorcasualbasisasopposedtofull-timebasis(21or19.4percent),reflectingthefactthatsomevisatypes,suchasstudent,restrictedemploymentto20hoursperweek.AsallarrivalscametoAustraliatoputtheirskillstouse,yearofarrivalandgoodEnglishlanguageproficiencydidnotseemtohaveabearingonwhether someone found full-timeorpart-timework.As suggestedat focusgroupmeetings,notevenlevelofqualification,recognitionofthosequalificationsandyearsofexperiencehadaninfluenceinfindingworkinitially,butacquiringAustralianworkexperiencedid.

•Of20arrivalsholdingatouristvisa,sixwereworkingonapart-timeorcasualbasis,fivewouldappeartohaveswitchedtoastudentvisawithfourofthembeingenrolledinacourseandconcurrentlyworkingonaparttimebasis.Sevenwereunemployedandtwodidnotrespond.Itisthisgroupof


arrivalsthat,canbehypothesisedwithsomedegreeofconfidencethat,theywerevisitingVictoriawiththeintentionofexploringthepossibilityofapplyingforanalternativevisatoenablethemtoremaininAustralialonger-termoratleastuntilthefinancialcrisisinGreecereceded.Likeallothergroups,thisgroupofarrivalswasalsoproficientintheEnglishlanguage.

•Sixteen(or14.8percent)ofnewarrivalsthatwerereceivingaSocialSecuritybenefitwereeitherAustraliancitizens,permanentresidentsorapartnerofanAustraliancitizen.ThisreflectstherealitythatonlythesetypesofvisaholdersareentitledtoSocialSecuritybenefitsoncetheirbonafidesisestablished.Priorto2012noonehadclaimedabenefitsuggestingthateithernewarrivalswithAustraliancitizenship/permanentresidencywerenotawareoftheseentitlements,orashighlightedat focus group meetings their immediate priority was to re-establish their abruptly disruptedprofessionalcareersfollowingtheonsetofthefinancialcrisisinGreece.Asstatedbyparticipantsatfocusgroupmeetings,claimingasocialsecuritybenefitwasnotconsideredtobeaviableoptionforasuccessfulsettlementinAustralia.Itwasviewedtobeatemporarymeasuretoenablethemtogetthroughtheinitialsettlementperioduntiltheyfoundemployment.

•Themajority of new arrivals were eithermarried or in a de-facto relationshipwith children (42peopleor38.9percent);marriedorinade-factorelationshipwithoutchildren(17or15.7percent);10people(or9.3percent)whoweresingleparents;and10(or9.3percent)whoweredivorced.Afurther28(or25.9percent)newarrivalscametoAustraliaassinglepersons.

sourCes of inforMation – Pre-Migration Planning anD PreParation

Figure 5 identifies the sources of information usedbypotential immigrants inGreece toplan forandreducetherisksassociatedwithmigrationpriortotravellingtoAustralia.Respondentsindicatedthat themain sources of information prior tomigrating to Australiawere the Internet (47 of 149responsesor31.5percent) followedbyfamilyor relatives(45 responsesor30.2percent).ThenextmostcommonsourcesweretheAustralianEmbassyinGreece(21responsesor14.1percent)andtheAustralianDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection(14responsesor9.4percent).OtherlesscommonlyusedsourcesofinformationincludedmigrationagentsinGreece(3responsesor2percent)migrationagentsandorganisations inAustralia(5responsesor3.4percent),suchastheGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoriaandeducationproviders(2responsesor1.3percent).

figure 5:Percentageofsurveyrespondentsbysourceofinformationused

DIDNOTENQUIREABOUTAUSTRALIA

uNsure whO TO CONTACT

EDUCATIONPROVIDER

MIGRATIONAGENTS/ORGANISATIONSINAUSTRALIA

MiGrATiON AGeNTs iN GreeCe

VARIOUSSOURCESVIATHEINTERNET

FAMILY/RELATIVES

depT OF iMMiGrATiON

AusTrAliAN eMbAssy

5.4%

2.7%

1.3%

2%

3.4%

31.5%

9.4%

14.1%

30.2%

sou

rCes

of

info

rMa

tio

n


the internet

ApproximatelyathirdofnewarrivalsusedtheInternettofamiliarisethemselveswithvisarequirements,migrationregulations,thecostof living,education,generallyfindinformationaboutAustraliaandsubmittheirvisaapplicationonlinepriortoarrivingtoVictoria.Theyhavealsousedtheseresourcestocommunicatedirectlywithfamily,relativesandfriendsalreadylivinginAustraliaviasocialmedianetworkssuchasonlineblogs,FacebookorTwitter.

Forthosewithaccesstothesetechnologies,accesstoawealthofmigrationinformationisavailable.However,respondentswereoftenfacedwiththechallengeofascertainingthereliabilityofinformationfromthesesources.

OnesourcewhichrespondentstothesurveyandparticipantsatfocusgroupmeetingsexpectedtoinformreliablywastheAustralianEmbassyinAthens.However,insteadofofferingasinglepointof entry into simple, straightforward online information services, the Embassy provided minimalinformationandassistance,andredirectedpeopletotheDepartmentof ImmigrationandBorderProtectionwebsite,althoughsomerespondentsmentionedthatthiswasnotthealwaysthecase.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection website provides a wealth of accurateinformation on all visas; however, respondents found it to be insufficiently user friendly anddisadvantagedthosewhoseEnglishlanguageproficiencyisweakerthannativespeakers.

ReferencetootherAustralian-basedonlinesourcesof informationhasbeenhelpful tomanynewarrivals.Theystressedthatthedifficultywiththosesourceshasbeenthelackofacentralpointwithinthe Greek community that could direct them to adequately resourced services able to informaccurately.Theyalsoinformedthataccuracycouldbeachievedthroughtheuseofflexibleformatstorespondtoqueries,incorporating:

•telephonediscussionswithappropriatelytrainedGreek-speakingstaff

•up-to-date online information relating tomigration lawand visa requirements,with a checklistadvisingonprocessanddocumentationassociatedwithapplyingforvisas

•referraltoregistered,ethicalandresponsiblemigrationagents.

Thecurrent hit andmiss process of findingAustralian-basedGreek-speaking services capable ofassisting potential arrivals fromGreece is clearly inadequate and time consuming. A number ofrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantsstatedthatwhilecontemplatingandplanningthemigrationprocesstheycontactedtheGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoriabecauseGreekwasatriggerpointtosearchonGoogle,whereasAustralianGreekwasnot,thereforebypassingtheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety.ArespondentsuggestedthatthisproblemcouldbeovercomebyAGWSpayingGoogleforsearchengineoptimization.Nevertheless,AGWShasreceivedanumberoftelephoneandemailenquiriesdirectlyfromGreeceandAustralianrelatives.

Potential arrivals toAustralia haveamyriad of queries andareaware that no oneorganisationcouldrespondtoalltheirquestions.Thosewhoplannedandpreparedwell,readlocalnewspaperssuchasNeosKosmosandTaNeaontheInternettogaincluesaboutcostoflivingissues,housingaffordability,educationandthemigrationprocess.Wherepossible,theyquizzedstrangersalreadyinVictoriathroughsocialmedia.Theyhadconcernsaboutblogsandotherformsofsocialmedia.Thespecificsprovidedbyindividualsaboutaparticularvisaorexperiencesmaybeaccuratetotheirownparticularcircumstancesbutwerenotnecessarilyapplicabletootherpeople.Neverthelesssurveyandfocusgrouprespondentspraisedtheeffortsof individualstakingthetimetowriteabouttheirexperiencesasthismadethemawareaboutahostofissuesrelatingtomigrationinAustralia.Itmadethemaware that the rhetoricdidnotalwaysmatch the realityand thatwhoevercontemplatedmigratingtoAustraliaowedittothemselvesandtheirfamiliestoproceedwithgreatcaution.

Therewasanoverwhelmingagreementthatgiventheincreasingnumberofnewarrivals,thetimehascomeforanorganisationsuchastheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietytourgentlycommenceaprocessforestablishingawebsiteandablog,dailyupdatedbyregisteredmigrationagents,toaccuratelyandreliablyinformAustralian-basedrelativesandpotentialarrivalsfromGreeceaboutmigration lawandvisas,aswellassettlement issues.Manyrespondentswerewillingtocontribute


tothisendeavourbyofferingtheirservicesvoluntarilytoensurethatpeopleconsideringamovetoAustralialearnfromtheirexperiencesandavoidriskstheyhadtakeninadvertently.

faMily anD relatiVes

Just over thirty percent of new arrivals had sought information from family and relatives aboutmigratingtoAustralia.Afew,mostlysecondgenerationrelatives,wereabletoinformwellandguidepotentialarrivalsthroughtheprocessofapplyingforaparticularvisa.Thosefewwerealsoabletoinformaboutthecost,timeandeffortrequiredtohaveasuccessfulvisaoutcomeandtowarnabouttherisksandchallengesassociatedwithmigration.

Themajority of family and relatives, particularly first generationGreekmigrants, neither had theknowledgenor theEnglish languageskillsor stamina tocarefully reviewavailable informationonmigrationlawandvisasfromtheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionwebsitetomakesenseof itandbeableto informaccuratelyabouttheprocessofapplyingforavisathatfitstheneedsoftheirrelativeinGreece.SomesoughtadvicefrommigrationagentstoensuretheirrelativesinGreecemadetheirdecisiononthebestavailableinformation.Mostrelyonthegoodwilloftheirsecondgenerationchildrentogetaccurateadvice.

Therewassignificantagreementamongrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantsthatwhilefamilyandrelativesmayhavehadgoodintentions,theyoftenreliedonfadedmemoryofbygonemigrationpoliciestoinformpeopleinGreeceoncurrentpolicieswithoftenadverseconsequencesfornewarrivals.Ratherthanbeinghelpfultheyunintentionallymisinformed.

Participants at focus group meetings stressed the importance of educating Melbourne’s Greekcommunitybyprovidingaccurate, up-to-dateanduser friendly information toAustralianGreekstoinformthemaboutthecomplexitiesassociatedwithhostingareturningfamilymember,relative,friendoracquaintance.

They argued this should be done through:

a) ThedevelopmentofadigitallyformattedandprintableGreeklanguagepackwithinformationonmigrationlawandvisasandsupportingmaterialfornewarrivalsonwhattheyneedtoknowwhentheybegin life inAustralia.Thepackshouldprovide links toalreadyavailable resourcessuchas“BeginningaLifeinAustralia”and“CostofLivinginVictoria”

b) Ahighlyreputablewellpublicisedwebsiteandablogto informsecondgenerationAustralianGreeks about the complexities associatedwith their first generationGreekAustralian parentshostingaGreecebasedreturningrelativeorfriend.

The website and blog should also provide through registered migration agents daily updated,relevantandaccurateresponsestoissuesraisedbynewlyarrivedmigrantsfromGreece,aswellascurrent informationonmigrationpoliciesandtherolesandresponsibilitiesofboththosehostinganewlyarrivedrelativeandthehostedrelative.

australian eMbassy in greeCe

Ofthe21respondentsthathadsoughtinformationfromtheAustralianEmbassyinAthens,17wereeitherAustraliancitizens,permanentAustralian residentsorapartnerofanAustraliancitizen. Theotherfourrespondentsheldeitheratouristvisa,ordidnotidentifythetypeofvisatheyheld.MostoftheserespondentsfoundthecontactwiththeAustralianEmbassyusefulandonlythree,allholdingatouristvisa,consideredthecontacttobenegative,whereasfivethoughtthatitwasneitherpositivenornegative.TheinformationprovidedbytheEmbassymayhavebeenuseful,butitwasminimalandvirtuallyallof the21 respondentshadsought information fromothersources,particularly theInternetandrelatives.ThishelpedthembuildamoreroundedpictureofAustralianmigrationlaw,visarequirements,costofliving,educationandotherissuesinAustralia.

WhiletheinformationprovidedbytheEmbassymayhavebeenaccurateanduseful,theprocesstodrawthatinformationprovedtobequitecumbersomeformanyoftherespondents.ThefollowingstepsprovidesomeunderstandingofthedifficultiesexperiencedintryingtoreachtheEmbassy:


•PeoplewerediscouragedtopersonallyfronttheEmbassy.

“I need to point out that the Australian Embassy in Athens is more difficult to visit than the US Federal Reserve or the White House. People are being interviewed by the security guard. Phone enquiries are not possible, only emails are being answered. I understand the load they (Embassy staff) must be experiencing, but communication and information is pretty bad”. Respondent in Victoria on tourist visa

•The preferred mode of contact with the Embassy is by email and telephone contact isdiscouraged.

“The process for obtaining citizenship by descent for my children and a permanent visa for my partner was a little confusing, mainly because we couldn’t reach the Embassy in Athens by phone and all documents had to be sent abroad to London and Berlin. But the Australian High Commission in London was very helpful. So most communication was done with them”. Respondent in Victoria – returned Australian citizen

•GainingaccesstotheappropriatesectionwithintheEmbassyusingtheculturallyalientautomatedtelephonemenuwasproblematicformanyoftherespondents.

“I rang the Embassy and listened carefully to ensure that I reached the appropriate section. Everytime the automated telephone menu gave another option I wondered whether this was the right option for me or wait for the next option. I made several calls before I could get to the appropriate section”.Focus group participant – Australian citizen by descent

•ThosesucceedingtoreachtherelevantsectionthatcouldinformonmigrationissueswerereferredeithertotheAustralianEmbassyinBerlinortheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionwebsite.Toa largeextent,thisexplainstheverysmallnumberofGreekcitizensenquiringattheAustralianEmbassyinAthensonmattersrelatedtomigrationlawandissuingofvisas.

•The restrictedavailabilityof Embassyhours forenquiry forprospectiveGreekcitizenswishing tomigrateandAustraliancitizensresidinginGreecereturningtoAustraliaweresourcesofhardshipanddiscouragement.

•Theprocessingofpaper-basedvisaapplications through theAustralianEmbassy inBerlinposesafurtherhurdle,as istheprocessingofapplicationstoacquireAustraliancitizenshipbydescentthroughtheAustralianHighCommissioninLondon.

Previously,theprocessingofpaper-basedvisasandapplicationsforacquiringAustraliancitizenshipbydescentwereundertakenbytheAustralianEmbassy inAthens.Whilefocusgroupparticipantsrecognised that bottom line considerationmust have been instrumental in devolving these twofunctionstootherAustralianEmbassiesinEurope,onthebasisoftheincreasingnumberofarrivalsfromGreecealone,thereinstatementofthesefunctionstotheEmbassyinAthensiswarranted.

Focusgroupparticipantshavealsoapplaudedthebrief introductory informationwritten inGreekaboutvisas, immigrationandcitizenshipwhichis incorporatedintheEmbassy’swebsite,butmoredetailedinformationintheGreeklanguagewouldhavebeenimmenslyhelpful,particularlyforthosewhoseproficiencyintheEnglishlanguageislessthanoptimum.

A smallnumberof respondentsandvirtuallyall focusgroupparticipants stressed the importanceofbeingabletobypasswhennecessarythelabyrinthinecomplexityofDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectiononlineinformationrelatingtovisaseitherthroughaface-to-facemeetingwithEmbassystafforonthephone.ThiswouldrequireanincreaseintheavailabilityofEmbassyhoursforface-to-faceorphoneconsultation.Inaddition,regularexpos(atleastonceayear)auspicedbytheAustralianEmbassyinAthenswouldalsobehelpful.Ataminimum,participantsintheexposhouldbeabletoadvisereliablyandaccuratelyonmattersrelatingtomigrationlawandvisas,education,costofliving,accommodation,employmentandhealth.AReferenceCommitteeshouldbeestablishedtodevelopacriteriaforensuringtheappropriatenessoftheadvicegivenattheexpo.


DePartMent of iMMigration anD borDer ProteCtion

All 14 (or 9.4percent)of respondentswhoaccessed theDepartmentof ImmigrationandBorderProtection online information found it to be comprehensive and very useful, although at timessomewhatvague.Whiletheinformationpersewasveryuseful,theabilitytoclarifyanyquerieswasmissing, thusnecessitatingaccess toamigrationagentor someonewho isable tonavigate thelabyrinthinecomplexityoftheonlineinformation.

“You have to be pretty savvy to negotiate your way through the online information relating to visas provided by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. You have to be (savvy), I think that I’m familiar with migration laws and I don’t know what’s going on, and I’m talking to migration agents that I know very well and they say I’ve never picked this up before, or picked that or I don’t know and I haven’t been aware of it”. Non-government organisation dealing with enquiries from arrivals

Respondents and focus group participants suggested a number of ways of making the onlineinformationmoreuserfriendly,particularlyforthosewhoseEnglishlanguageproficiencyislessthannative speakersof the language.Havingallvisasgroupedtogetherwithachecklistoutlining theprocess,thedocumentationandcostforattainingeachvisawouldbeveryhelpful.Itwouldalsobehelpfultobeabletospeaktosomeonewhenaqueryarisesorreceiveanimmediateresponseviaablogstaffedbyappropriatelyqualifiedmigrationagents.

Migration agents anD eDuCation agents

While thenumberof respondentsusingmigrationoreducationagents inGreeceasa sourceofinformationwasverysmall(10responsesor6.7percent),therewasalargenumberofnewarrivalsthatusedthefreeAGWSMigrationAgentServiceandseminars.AGWSdatashowsthatin2013-14,111newarrivals used this serviceandmanymore telephoneandemailenquirieswere receiveddirectlyfromGreece.

Whilst the information migration agents provided was generally useful and credible, there wasconcernaboutthemodusoperandiofafewunlicensedagents.

respondents and focus group participants were particularly critical of education agents for their:

•perceivedconflictofinterestwhoreceivedacommissionbasedonstudentreferralstoeducationalinstitutions

“The education agency was more concerned to get a visa for me so that they can get their money. They didn’t inform me accurately. They promoted Australia as a terrestrial paradise. They also try to exploit you financially by sending you to schools which supposedly have good connections with employers, but it is only for their gain”. Respondent on student visa

•propensitytopromotetodesperatepeopleeasypathwaystopermanentresidencyinAustraliawithoutbeingabletodeliver

•perceivedinclinationtooverchargeandmisinformaboutcostofliving

•tendencytounderestimatethedifficultyofgainingpermanentresidencyinAustralia,eventhoughtheyknowthattheroadtogainingsuchavisaiscomplex,isdependentonqualificationsandworkexperiencethatisincludedintheannualAustralianSkillOccupationList(SOL),andthatthecoursesmanynewarrivalsabletoaffordarenotlikelytomakeittotheSOLlist,noraretheylikelytoimprovetheirEnglishLanguagecompetency

“Mostly, people on student visas will be required to work 50, 60 or 70 hours per week in unskilled jobs and won’t be able to study, they won’t be able to learn any English and they work in a particular ethnocentric environment, in an ethno-Greek environment and what’s worst, they will have nothing to prove that they’ve worked in a particular profession that is required in Australia and their English level will be low”. Non-government organisation dealing with enquiries from arrivals


Respondents and focus group participants suggested that Greek citizens considering migrationtoAustralia should seekaccess toa reliable,well informed, registeredmigrationagentwhohasdevelopedexpertiseonAustralianmigrationlawandvisas.Suchagentsshouldbewillingtoexplainupfrontallavailablevisaoptions;theoptionmostlikelytosucceed;thechancesofsuccessorfailure;and themoney, timeand effort required to a successful outcome. This should help prospectivenewarrivalsdevelop realisticexpectationsabout theiroddsof succeeding ingettingpermanentresidency; save them time, effort, anxiety,moneyandpossibly lead toa favourablepermanent visaoutcome.

Thosefailingtofollowthisroadandwithoutanyfamily,relativesorfriendstoadvisethemarelikelytoarrive inAustraliaonastudentvisa,marginalisingthemtoa life reliantonconstant renewaloftheirstudentvisatobeabletoremain inAustraliaandultimatelydiminishinganyopportunitiesofgainingAustralianworkexperienceintheirpreferredoccupation,renewingskillsanddevelopingasolidemploymenthistory.

respondents and focus group participants also suggested that the Migration Agents registration Authority(MARA)listshouldbeavailabletoeveryoneonlineinGreekandifthereare10or15Greek-speakingmigrationagentsthatshouldbenoted.

the greek Consulate in Melbourne

NoneoftherespondentsorfocusgroupparticipantsmentionedtheGreekConsulateinMelbourneasasourceofinformationforpotentialimmigrantsfromGreeceorthosealreadyinVictoria.However,migrationagentswereawareofinstanceswhereclientsinGreeceorinMelbournehadapproachedtheConsulateforinformation.

WhilemigrationagentswereawarethattheprovisionofinformationtopotentialmigrantsinGreeceornewarrivalsinMelbournedoesnotfallwithinthejurisdictionoftheConsulate,theythoughtthatitwouldbehelpfuliftheConsulatecouldreferthoseenquiringtoorganisationssuchastheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety.

asPirations of new arriVals anD Pathways to a better future anD settleMent – Post-arriVal

Prior to arriving in Australia, themajority of respondents had expectations for a better future inAustralia.Theyenvisagedthatfuturewillincorporate:

•ApermanentresidentvisaforGreekcitizens

Recognitionofprofessionalqualificationsandexperiencethatwouldhelpthemgainaccesstoajobintheirchosenprofessionthatgivesthemdignity,meetsthevarietyofneedsoftheirfamilies,helpsthemavoidpenuryandgenerallyrebuildtheirlife.

•Afulfillingnormal lifewithinthelocalandwidercommunitywithopportunitiestobepartofandcontributeforthebenefitofall.

•A better quality of life for their families with access to schools, opportunities for continuousimprovementthrougheducationandtraining,accesstogoodhealthservices,stableandadequatehousingandasafe,friendlyandcaringenvironmentwheretheyandtheirchildrenwouldthriveandprosper.

Australian citizens and permanent Australian residents of Greek descent and perhaps previousAustralianresidentsofGreekcitizenshiparebetterplacedtoachievetheirexpectationsforabetterfutureinAustralia.Withtheobstacleofobtainingpermanentresidencyremoved,theycanfocusonrebuildingabetterfutureforthemselvesandtheirchildren.Itwillnotbeeasybuttheyareawareofitandhavecomewiththezesttoworktowardsthatend.Somearelikelytoachievetheirgoalswithoutmuchassistancebutmanywouldneedsupportatleastintheinitialstagesofthesettlementperiod.

Ontheotherhand,Greekcitizenscomingheretostayontouristorstudentvisashavetheaddedburdenofaprecariousexistence,permittedtoplanaheadonlyasfarasthedurationoftheirvisa.Theywishedforafuturethatwouldgivethemthecertaintytoplanforamorestableexistence,but


theynowknowthatstabilitywouldcomebyobtainingapermanentresidentvisaachievedthroughone of the following options:

•theEmployerNominationSchemerequiringthepersontobeyoungerthan50yearsofage;meettheskills,qualificationsandEnglishlanguagerequirements;andapplyunderthestreamforwhichtheywerenominated

•satisfyingtherequirementsofthePointsBasedSkilledMigration,including:

♦attaininganInternationalEnglishLanguageTestingSystem(IELTS)minimumscoreof6ineachofthefourcomponentsoftheIELTStestor,anOccupationalEnglishTest(OET)attainingascoreofat leastB ineachofthefourcomponentsofanOETasspecifiedbytheMinister,andforsomeoccupations,theassessingauthoritymayrequireahigherlevelofEnglishaspartoftheirskillsassessmentprocess

♦being under 50 years of age, when they are invited to apply for a Points Based SkilledMigration

♦havingskillsandqualificationsforanominatedoccupationthatisontheSkilledOccupationList(SOL)

♦receiving an invitation to apply and make an application, making them eligible to have theirapplicationassessedagainstthepointsystemandmeetthepassmark–currentlysetat60points

•being a distinguished talent with an internationally recognised record of exceptional andoutstandingachievementinaprofession;asport;thearts;academiaandresearch

•beingahigh-calibrebusinessownerorpart-ownerwantingtodobusiness inAustralia;orhavingsourced venture capital funding fromamember of theAustralian VentureCapital AssociationLimited

•beingnominatedbyanapprovedAustralianemployerforajobinregionalAustralia;beingyoungerthan50yearsofage;havingtheskills,qualificationsandEnglishlanguagerequirements;andapplyunderthestreamforwhichtheywerenominated.

SomeoftheGreekcitizensalreadyinAustraliamaymeettheaboverequirements,butthemajorityofthemknowthatitwillbeanarduous,protractedlongroadtoapermanentvisaorrepatriationbacktoGreeceawaitsthem.Somehavecomewellprepared;othersarepayingaheavypriceforallowingpressingfinancialcircumstances,misinformationandperhapssheerdesperationtoembarkon this life-changing journey ill-prepared. Somemay achieve their expectations, somemay bedisappointedbutall,AustraliansofGreekdescentandGreekcitizensarecountingontheirenormousoptimismandwillingness ‘toput in thehardyards’ to succeed forabetter future for themselvesand theirchildren.Already,manyareproactivelypursuing furthereducation toobtainAustralianqualificationsandworkexperience.

However,nomatterhowwell-preparedtheyare,theirresilienceorthedrivetosucceed,allwouldrequireharnessingtheirpersonalattributesandreceivingsomeassistancefromotherstogetthrough.Thesemaybefamily,relativesandfriends;orformalsupportservices.

PresenCe of faMily anD relatiVes

MostofthenewarrivalswithfamilyandrelativesinAustraliawereawarethatonarrivaltoAustraliatheywouldfindtheirfamilyorrelativeswithostensiblysimilarculturalnormsbut,forty,fiftyorsixtyyearslaterawayfromtheirbirthcountry,thesehavechangedinexorablyandperhapsarealientothosearrivingfromGreece.

Nowlargelyintheir70sor80sandenjoyingtheirretirement,suddenlytheyareaskedtoplayhoststorelativesofadifferentgeneration,whoarewelleducated,predominantlyraisedinurbanareas,confidentandarticulate.Theirpresencemayevenbeapainfulreminderofanothererainthe1950sand60swhentheyasyoungmigrantsarrivedwithverylittle,nosupportandnooptionofreturningbacktoGreece.


ThemisfortunefornewarrivalsisthattheyarearrivingatatimewhentheirageingAustralianrelativeshavebeendrainedoftheenergyandpatiencerequiredtochangetheirmodusoperanditoensuresomegiveandtake.TheelderlyAustralianGreekhosts,largelytoosetintheirways;expecttheactions,attitudes,behavioursandvaluesofthenewarrivalstocoincidewiththeirown.Understandably,somerespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantshavemisconstruedtheseexpectationstobeadeliberateattempttocontrolthem,torestricttheirindependenceandtodoubttheirmotivesformigratingtoAustralia.Afterall,alltheyareaskingforistobegivenabriefsanctuaryandsomeinitialsupporttofindtheirwayinanewcountry,andtobeacknowledgedasadultstryingtoescapeafinancialwhirlwindbeyondtheircontrol. Theywant the relationshipwith theirhost tobemorebalancedwheretheyarenotrequiredtoconstantlyprovethemselvesandretreatfromtheirheldposition,andthereforeaccumulatefrustration,eventuallyleadingtoconflictandabreakdownintherelationship.

Therefore,nomatterhowwellintentioned,difficultieswereboundtoariseanddidarise,aspointedoutbyquiteafewrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipants,tothedisappointmentofhostsandnewarrivals,andprovingfinanciallycatastrophicforafewrespondents.Despitethesedisparities,genuineeffortwasmadeonbothsidestomakeitwork,andforalargenumberitdidworkforweeks,monthsandevenyears.AsstatedintheSection:CharacteristicsofSurveyrespondents,twothirdsofnewarrivalshadresidedwithfamilyorrelativesonarrivalandthatathirdwerestillcontinuingwiththoselivingarrangementswhencompletingthesurvey.

Fortunately,onlyafewrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantswerevehementlycriticaltowardsthereceptiontheyhadreceivedfromtheirfamiliesorrelatives.Mostacknowledgedtheseriouseffortput tomake them feelwelcomeandease theirway toa successful settlement,despiteageingrelativesoftenbeingfinanciallyconstrained.Whilea limitationof thisstudy,as itdidnotenvisagethe need to enquire about the experiences of the AustralianGreek hosts, anecdotal evidencechannelledtotheresearcherseemstosuggestthatoveralltheywerehappywiththenewarrivalstheyhadhosted,althoughaverysmallnumberwereequallyasvehementintheircriticisms.Theutilityofregurgitatingthesecriticismswouldbepointless.

However,importantlessonshavebeenlearnedandmustbeheededbyboth:a)newarrivals;andb)familyandrelatives.Bothgroupsneedassistancetoensurethelatterremainahelpfulresourcefornewarrivals.RespondentssuggestedthedevelopmentofadetailedchecklistwouldbeausefultoolthatcouldempowerthesetwogroupstoaskthehardquestionswhenconsideringAustraliaasapotentialdestination.Ataminimum,thetoolshouldallowbothgroupstodevelopanawarenessof the following:

australian greek faMilies anD relatiVes

•Are families and relatives fully familiar withcurrentAustralianmigrationpolicies?

•AretheywillingtobeupfrontwiththeirGreece-basedrelativesaboutavailablevisaoptions?

•Havefamiliesandrelativesseriouslyconsideredwhethertheyhavethefinancialresourcesandspacetoaccommodateandsupportthenewarrivals?

•WouldtheyfeelcomfortabletoclearlyarticulatetheirrequirementsandexpectationstorelativesbeforetheyarriveinAustralia,including:

♦providingaccurateup-to-dateinformationaboutthecostoflivinginAustralia

greek new arriVals Prior to Migrating

•GiventhatGreeceisamemberoftheEuropeanUnion,andGreekscouldmigratetoanyotherEuropeanUnioncountryforanindefiniteperiod,isAustraliathebestavailableoptionforGreekcitizens?

•Have prospective arrivals got the financialresourcestoundertakesuchanenormouslife-changingjourney?

•HavetheyconsideredwhethertheirAustralianfamilyorrelativeshavethefinancialmeansandspacetoaccommodateandsupportthem?

•Have prospective arrivals clearly consideredwhethertheirfamilyorrelativesinAustraliahavethe knowledge and capacity to understand currentAustralianmigrationpolicies?


♦theircapacity toaccommodate them intheirhome

♦thetypeofaccommodationtheyareabletooffer,includingaclean,privateandfullyfurnishedbedroom/s;aswellasasafeandwarmhomeenvironment

♦theextenttowhichtheycanassistarrivalswithrunningexpenses

♦any in-kind and financial contributionnewarrivalswouldbeexpectedtomaketowardsutilityexpenses,foodandgenerallytherunningofthehousehold,i.e.,paytheirupkeep, and what pre-requisites musttheyfirstmeetbeforetheystartmakingafinancialcontribution

♦their ability to discuss with new arrivalsways to resolve conflict that may ariseduringcohabitation,andwhattodoiftherelationshipbreaksdownirretrievably.

•Do they have the capacity to induct newarrivals into their neighbourhood and widerAustraliancommunity?

•Wouldtheybeabletoclearlystipulatetonewarrivalswhattheycanandcan’tdeliver?

•Mostimportantly,couldtheybeupfrontwiththeperiod they are prepared to accommodateand support their relative once they arrive inAustralia?

•Have they cross referenced any informationtheyhave received from familyor relatives inAustraliawithanumberofreliablesources?

•Aretheyawarethatassurancesfromfamilyorrelativessuchas“cometoAustraliaandwe’llsee”or“wemaybeabletosponsoryou”areclearlyinappropriatebecausetheyarevague,misplaced,couldnotbedeliveredandcouldprovetobedisastrous?

•Wouldtheyfeelcomfortabletoclearlyarticulateand discuss their needs and expectationswith their familyor relativesprior toarriving inAustralia,including:

♦thecapacityoftheirfamilyorrelativestoprovideaclean,privateandfullyfurnishedbedroom/s ;aswellasa safeandwarmhomeenvironment

♦their ownpreparednessandcapacity toprovide to family or relatives in-kind andfinancial contribution towards householdresponsibilitiesrelatingtocleaning,washingand cooking, use of utilities (water, gas,electricity,telephoneandinternet).

•Wouldtheyrequireassistancefromtheirfamilyor relatives to help access public transport,schools, tertiary institutions,banks,healthandsupportservices?

•Could family or relatives provide assistanceto help integrate with the wider Australian community?

•Wouldfamilyorrelativesbehappytodevelopan understanding of the period they are preparedtoaccommodateandsupportthemonceinAustralia?


frienDs

AhandfuloffocusgroupparticipantsreportedthatnewarrivalssettlinginAustraliaactivelyinformandsupportfriendsandblogusersinGreeceinterestedtomigratetoAustralia.Theyuseorsuggestapproaches such as:

•Facebookandwellknownblogstoinformthemabouttheirexperiencesrelatingtovisaapplication,costof living issues,accommodation,employment,access tohealth services, schoolsandanyotherqueriestheymayhaveaboutAustralia.

•ExtendinganinvitationtopotentialarrivalstovisitAustraliaforafewweeks,provideaccommodationandanyothersupporttheirnewlyarrivedfriendsrequiretoascertainthesituationfirsthandbeforetheycommittomigratingtoAustraliapermanently.ThesevisitorsreturntoGreeceattheendoftheagreedperiodtogivefurtherconsiderationtomigrating.

•Onarrivalforlong-termstay,friendsalreadyinVictorialinknewerarrivalstosupportservicessuchastheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety,theGreekOrthodoxCommunityofMelbourneandVictoriaand theGreek Orthodox Archdioceses of Melbourne and Victoria, and where they are able,provide supportwith findingaccommodation,employmentandaccessinghealth servicesandschoolsforthemselvesandtheirchildren.

•Atthisstage,itisstilltooearlytoascertaintheextentandefficacyofanyofthesearrangements.

•Theformationofsupportgroups,runonavoluntarybasisbynewarrivals,fornewarrivalswheretheycouldgotodiscussissuesofmutualconcern.

•TheformationofablogundertheauspicesoftheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietytoinformandprovideadviceonarangeofissues.Somenewarrivalsagainarewillingtocommitvoluntarilytothisactivity.

forMal suPPort serViCes

Thesurvey responses illustratehow important formal support servicescanbe tonewarrivals fromGreece.Theirimportanceisunderscoredbythefactthatofthe108respondents,45(or42percent)hadcontactwiththeAustralianGreekWelfareSocietysincetheirarrival6and60(or56percent)haveindicatedthattheywouldbenefitfromservicesthatcouldsupporttheiremotionalandpsychologicalwellbeing and those of their children7. Inaddition, in2013-2014,182newarrivalshadsoughtandreceivedsupportfromAGWS.

There are legitimate reasons for new arrivals to seek assistance from formal support services toresolveanydifficultiestheymayhaveencounteredwithGovernment,health,welfare,employment,educationandotherservices.

Figure6indicatesthatofthe108respondents,21(or17.7percent)andfivefocusgroupparticipantsencountered difficulties obtaining access to Australia’s universal health care system ‘Medicare’;20(or16.8percent)withqualifyingforaNewstartAllowanceorotherCentrelinkbenefits;nearlyaquarterwithvisaservicesintheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection,and17(or14.3percent)withaccessingfinancialservices.

...........................................................................

6Responsestoquestion34ofthesurvey:“HaveyouhadcontactwiththeAustralianGreekWelfareSociety?”

7Responsestoquestion31ofthesurvey:“WouldnewlyarrivedGreekpeoplebenefitfromservicessupportingtheemotionalandpsychologicalwellbeingofindividuals,includingchildren?”


figure 6: Percentage of respondents by type of services they have encountered difficulties with accessing

DifficultiesencounteredwithMedicareprimarilyrelatedtoeligibleAustraliancitizensorpermanentresidentsrequiredtoprovetheirintentiontosettlepermanentlyinAustraliabeforetheycanbeissuedwithaMedicarecard.Theyarerequiredtoprovide:proofoftheirAustraliancitizenship;documentstosupporttheirresidencyinAustralia;orthattheyareseveringtieswiththepreviouscountryofresidence;andinsomecases,both.WhilereturningAustralianGreekexpatriateshavenodifficultyprovidingtheirAustraliancitizenshipcertificate,havingalong-termleaseorotherevidenceofseveringtieswithGreecemaytakelongertoproduce.Thismaybebecausetheyareresidingwithfamilyorrelatives,insecurityandlackofanysocialnetworksinAustraliamayhavedictatedprudence,thusrequiringapartnertoarrivefirstonareconnaissancetopavethewayfortherestofthefamilytoarriveatalatertime.Therequirement,however,toprovesuchintentionmaybefutile,involving,forexample,sellingone’spropertyinGreece,giventhecurrenteconomicclimateinGreece,andthatnewarrivalsarerequiredbylawtodiscloseanyoffshoreassetsandforeignincomeintheirAustraliantaxreturn.

DealingwithCentrelinkoftenproveddifficultforavarietyofreasons:misunderstandingarisingfrompoorEnglishlanguagecompetency,disagreementrelatingtoCentrelinkadviceanddecisionsanddelayinapprovingaclaim,longwaitingperiodsonthephone,andinsomeinstances,contrarytoCentrelinkpolicy,somestaffreferringnewarrivalsunabletocompleteclaimformstootheragenciessuchasAGWStoassistwith thecompletionof forms,not informingadequately,ornotaccessinginterpreterswhentheneedisapparent.However,newarrivalsoftenappreciatedtheeffortmadeby most Medicare and Centrelink staff to resolve their issues, while being largely pleasant andtransparent.

OneofthebiggestfrustrationsexperiencedbynewarrivalsistheirinabilitytodirectlycommunicatewiththeDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtectionasitdoesnotrespondtotelephoneorface-to-facequeries.Sections:“Department of Immigration and Border Protection” and “Migration agents and education agents” abovefurtherelaboratesondifficultiesrelatedtotheDepartment.

ThetypeoffinancialsupportservicesrequiredbynewarrivalsfromGreecerelateprimarilytoaccessingmaterial relief totie themthroughthe initial stagesofsettlementoruntil theyfoundemployment.LocalGreek-languagemedia inMelbourneandVictoriahasbeencitedasa valuable resourceutilisedbynewarrivals to theiradvantage.Radiostationsprovidean immediate link to thewiderGreekcommunityandservesasaplatformforexchangeofgoods.Programsdedicatedtobuyingandsellingofgoodshavebeenhelpfultonewarrivals.OnsomeoccasionsAustralianGreekshearingtheneedsofnewarrivalshavedonatedfurnitureandnewappliances.

NO respONse

NO prObleMs

OTher

MIGRATIONSERVICES

FiNANCiAl suppOrT

MediCAre

CeNTreliNk

5.0%

19.3%

4.3%

14.3%

22.7%

17.7%

16.8%

Pro

bleM

s en

Co

un

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ith

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Figure7showsthatofthe108respondents,52(or48.1percent)wouldliketoincreasetheirknowledgeofthehealthcaresystem,workrightsandentitlementsandemploymentservicesrespectively;42(or 38.9percent)of the legal system; 41 (or 38.0percent)of theeducationandwelfare systemscorrespondingly;and14(or13percent)oftransport.WhilemostofthemcanincreasetheirknowledgeoftheseservicesthroughtheInternet,thenumberandcomplexityofservicesavailablecanbealottohandleatfirst.FormalsupportserviceswithGreek-speakingstaff,suchastheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety,arewellplacedtofillthatgap,throughcaseworkservices,subject-specificseminars,socialmedia,aswellasdigitalandprintableGreek language information.Tocontinuedoingthissustainablytheyrequireadequateleveloffunding.

figure 7:Percentageofsurveyrespondentsbytypeofservicestheyneedtoincreaseknowledgeof

Respondentsandfocusgroupparticipants,whohadreceivedservicesthroughtheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety,stressedthatignoranceoftheavailabilityofmigrantsupportservicesandrestrictiveeligibilitycriteriaforGreekcitizensprecludedalargernumberofnewarrivalsfromusingsuchservices.Theysuggestedawayaroundthisproblemwouldbe for theAustralianGreekWelfareSociety toobtainfundingthusfurtherincreasingitsvisibilityandassumeacentralroleonissuesrelatingtonewGreekarrivalswiththeaimof:

•Assistingnewarrivalsthroughcaseworkandregularseminarswithprofessionalspeakersorexposwith representation from various service providers to increase their knowledge of mainstreamservices such as housing, and develop an understanding of government departments andinstrumentalities.

•Providing information and referral services, crisis intervention, counselling, migration and legaladvice,emergencyrelief(e.g.,thepaymentofabill),communityawarenessandengagement,practicalsupportsuchasassistingwiththecompletionofformswhererequired,advocacy,andhowtoaccessanduseinterpretingandtranslatingservices

“It is so, but so difficult to restart your life, every bit of help is welcomed”. Survey respondent

•CoordinatingandexpandingtheavailabilityoftheAGWSvoluntaryrunMigrationAgentInformationandReferralServiceandtheGreekLegalInformationandReferralServicetoprovideinformationonvisasandmigrationlawtonewarrivalswhoinmostcasesareunabletoprivatelyaccesstheserviceofmigrationagentsduetofinancialhardshipasaresultofunemploymentorunderemployment.

OTher

leGAl sysTeM

TrANspOrT

eduCATiON sysTeM

EMPLOYMENTSERVICES

WORKRIGHTS&ENTITLEMENTS

welFAre sysTeM

heAlTh CAre sysTeM

12%

38.9%

13%

48.1%

38%

48.1%

48.1%

38%


•Consultingwith,providingculturaltraining,andreferringto,otherserviceproviderstoaddresstheneedsof,andimproveoutcomesfornewlyarrivedmigrantsfromGreeceonacase-by-casebasis,e.g., Centrelink payments, Medicare, housing, employment, financial, education, counselling,child,youthandlegalservices.

•Advocating to the relevantgovernmentdepartmentsand instrumentalities todevelopadigitalandprintableGreeklanguageinformationpackwithsupportingmaterialfornewarrivalsonwhattheyneedtoknowwhentheybeginlifeinVictoria.

ThepackwillalsoidentifydifferentresourcesandsourcesofinformationavailabletohelpsettleinVictoriaincluding:applyingforaMedicarecardandCentrelinkentitlements,howtoopenabankaccount,how to improveEnglish language skills, searching forahome to rent,enrollingchildrenatschool,educationoptionstoimprovequalifications,obtainingadriver’slicence,learningaboutlaws,rightsandcivicresponsibilitiesasaresidentofAustralia,howtoaccesshealthandcommunitysupportservices.

“It would be helpful if there is an organisation that has the capacity to: a) organise billeting for the first week of arrival, or if not possible, at least help access a bedroom priced at youth hostel rates; b) provide assistance with finding accommodation; c) refer us to a migration lawyer to inform on best options for successful migration; d) help access a translator and a Justice of Peace to translate or certify a true copy of an original document; e) refer to Greek community groups that may be of interest to new arrivals.” Survey respondent

•Assistingparentsandtheir schoolagedchildren toengagesuccessfullywith schoolandensuretheyreceiveappropriatetransitionsupport,participateeffectivelyatschoolincludingdevelopinghelpfulrelationshipswithteachersandpeers.

•Helpingfamilyandrelativestodevelopaccurateknowledgeonhowtohelpnewly-arrivedGreekmigrants.

•Designingaprogramtoharnesstheenergyandgoodwillofvolunteerstohelpnewarrivalslearnabout available services and how to use them, practice English, get contacts in their chosenprofessionandassistwithcommunityengagement.

“There are newly arrived families that are lacking support. It might be very simple for members of the Greek community to provide them with some direction. I would like to see each newly arrived family to be assigned to an existing Australian Greek family to embrace them so that their fear and despondency is alleviated.” Survey respondent

IT SHOULD BE STATED, HOWEVER, THAT AGWS IS ALREADY OFFERING MANY OF THESE SERVICESTHROUGH FUND-RAISING EFFORTS IN RESPONSE TO IDENTIFIED NEED, BUT THEIR VIABILITY WOULDBE COMPROMISED WITHOUT ADEQUATE RESOURCING FROM GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY AS THENEEDSFORSUPPORTFORANAGEINGCOMMUNITYAREPROVINGDEBILITATINGFORANADEQUATE RESPONSEBYAGWS.

Challenges

As discussed in the previous sections, the challenges new migrants face on arrival would varydependingon the thoroughnessof theirpre-migrationpreparation; financial resourcesavailable;differences invisa stream; thepresenceof family, relativesor friends, thedurationandqualityofsupporttheyprovide;andawarenessof,andaccessto,formalsupportservices.

Figure 8 indicates that respondents faced problems with finding accommodation; overcominglanguage barriers; the timely and efficient recognition of their qualifications and experience;securingAustralianworkexperienceandemployment.Although thesurveyquestionsdidnotaskaboutdiscriminationandexploitation,unsolicited informationwasprovidedabout labourmarketdiscriminationandexploitationbysurvey respondentsandfocusgroupparticipants.Respondentsalso faced challenges with having an income and experiencing financial hardship; accessingsupporteducationandchildcare services;dealingwith transport; isolation, socialexclusion;andpooremotionalwellbeing.


figure 8: PercentageofsurveyrespondentsbytypeofchallengesexperiencedonarrivaltoVictoria

finDing housing

Securingappropriateaccommodationisessentialtothewell-beingofnewmigrantsandtheirabilitytoadjusttoanewlife.Ofthe108respondents,54(or50percent)indicatedthatoneofthebiggestchallengestheyhadencounteredonarrivaltoAustraliawasfindingaccommodation,eventhoughtwothirdshadindicatedtheywereresidingwithfamily, relativesorfriendsonarrival.Focusgroupparticipantsattributedtheneedtofindaccommodationwhilestill residingwithfamily,relativesorfriends on the following:

•Newarrivalsunderstood,andhadthedesireforthesearrangementstolastforadefinedperiod,rangingfromafewweekstoseveralmonthstogivethemtheopportunitytosecuretheirownhousing.ItisveryrareforpeopleinGreecetosharehousingwithrelatives,friendsorstrangers.Generally,youngpeoplewouldseldomsharehousingwithothers,unlikeyoungpeopleinAustralia.

•Insomeinstances,theexpectationmayhavebeenforlivingarrangementstolastforawhilebuttherelationshipmayhavebrokenirretrievablyduetounreasonableexpectations,disagreement,misunderstandingandincompatibility.

•New arrivals may have secured immediate employment, making it possible to find rentalaccommodationfairlyquickly.

•Insomeinstances,relativesorfriendsmayhaveusedtheirownrentalpropertytoaccommodatenewarrivalsormayhavefoundaccommodationandsubsidisedtherentuntilthenewarrivalshadthecapacitytopayfortherentorsecuretheirownhousing.

Newly arrived migrants from Greece may tap a number of different sources in their search foraffordableandstableaccommodation.Asdiscussedabove,mostrelyonfamily,relativesorfriendsfor assistance with finding accommodation, while others obtain housing through the use of theInternet.Inafewinstances,realestateagentshavealsoprovidedassistancetonewarrivalslookingforaplacetolive.Severalhaveindicatedsharingahousewithotherfriendstomakeitpossibletomanageonalimitedbudget,althoughthatmaynothavebeentheirpreferredoption.

Respondentswhoencounteredproblemswithfindingaccommodationalsostatedthattheydidnothaveaccesstosupportnetworksnorwereawareoftheprocessesinvolvedtobeabletonegotiatefairtermsforsafe,comfortableaccommodation.Reasonsgivenforexperiencingmajorobstaclestosecuring decent housing included:

eMOTiONAl welbeiNG

ISOLATION/LACKOFCONNECTIONWITHCOMMUNITY

TrANspOrT

eduCATiON

INCOME/FINANCIAL

lANGuAGe

WORKEXPER&EMPLOYMENT

RECOGNITIONOFQAULIFICATIONS&EXPERIENCE

hOusiNG

25.9%

16.7%

13.9%

33%

9.3%

29.6%

33%

37%

50%

tyPe

of

Ch

all

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Peri

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•Limitedfinancialresourceswhentheyfirstarrived,restrictedunderstandingofthecostoflivinginMelbourneandgenerally throughoutAustralia, and inaccurateassumptions relating to salariesandwages.

•Thehighcostofhousing inMelbourne,especially in innerandmiddle suburbs, lackofpreviousrentalhistoryinAustralia,theneedtoshowapayslipfromanAustralianemployer,andtheinabilitytoprovidereferencesfromAustralianproperty-owners.

•Bothrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantscitedexamplesofwhererealestateagentshaddemanded five to 12months bond paid in advance to secure the property for them. In oneinstance,anewarrivalpaidafullyear’srentaltoprovehercreditworthinessandthusattainthehousingstabilitydesperatelyneededbyherfamily.

•Lack of a support network and someone to guide them made it incredibly difficult for themtonegotiatea leaseagreement for themselvesand their family. It needs tobe reiterated thatageingrelativesmaynotbeabletoassistinfindingaccommodationbecauseoftheirage,limitedunderstandingoftheEnglishlanguage,andpossiblybecauseoftheirlimitedunderstandingofthehousingmarket.

•Thealienbiddingsystemutilisedbysomerealestateagents,forcingprospectivetenantstooutbideachotherinordertoacquiretherentalproperty,furtherdisadvantagesnewarrivals.

Withtheexceptionofonerespondentnootherhasreportedbeinghomeless,althoughseveralhaveindicatedcouchsurfing,especiallyonarrivalorwhentheirrelationshipwithrelativeshadanuntimelyending.Someoftheseindividualswerevulnerabletoexploitationbypropertyownersofferinglivingconditionsinroominghousingwithlimitedaccesstoheating,hotwaterandotherbasicneeds.

Newarrivals’housingexperienceshavevariedwidely.Somehavebeenabletonegotiateaffordableandappropriatehousing,whileothershavebeenexploitedbyunscrupulouspropertyownerspreyingonvulnerablenewmigrants.Competition, thehighcostofhousingandquestionable realestateagentpracticeswereonlyafewofthechallengesvoicedbybothrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipants.

FindinghousinginMelbourne’scompetitiverentalmarketisexpensiveandastressfulexperience.Itparticularlydisadvantagesnewarrivalsthathavetodealwithlanguagebarriersandprejudiceintheirinteractionwithpropertyownersandrealestateagentsonarrival.Thereisusuallyalagbetweentheirarrivalandthepointatwhichtheyareabletoidentifyorganisations,suchastheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietythatmaybeabletoprovidethemwithinformationabouthousingassistance.Theneedtodifferentiateaccordingtoarrivalvisastreamfurtherdisadvantagesnewarrivals,withGreekcitizensbeingineligibletoaccessmigrantsupportservicesandrentalassistancethroughCentrelink.

language barriers

TherearethreecompellingreasonsforpeopleinGreecechoosingtomigratetoVictoria,followingthe financial crisis there. The first relates to long-heldconnectionswithVictoria. TheseareusuallyAustralianGreekexpatriatesortheirchildrenwhohadacquiredAustraliancitizenshipbydescent.Thesecondisthepresenceoffamily,relativesorfriendsinVictoria;andknowingEnglishwasthethirdkeydriver.

As stated earlier in this report, 90 (or 83.3 percent) of respondents indicated they speak Englisheitherverywell,well,averageorhadreachedanIELTSlevel.Nevertheless,32(ornearly30percent)of respondents indicated that they were experiencing language barriers in their day-to-daytransactions.

Mostofthoseexperiencinglanguagebarriers,eveniftheyspokeEnglish,attributedtheirdifficultiestoavarietyofreasons:

•TheywereawarethatlearningEnglishatschoolinGreecewithnoexposuretoandinteractionwithAustralianspeakersofthelanguagewillnotonlylimittheircapacitytoacquiretheprevailinglocalaccentandculturalvaluesbutalsodeprivethemoffluencyinspokenEnglishandtheunderlyingcognitivecompetencyinthelanguage.


•TheystressedthatlackofpreviousexposuretotheAustralianaccent,inabilitytounderstandthenuancesoftheEnglishlanguage,andtherapidflowofthelanguagebyEnglishspeakershasoftenputthematadisadvantageindifferentsituations.Thishasresultedinaskingforclarificationsseveraltimestoensuretheyunderstoodwell.Whilemostpeoplearepatientandgooutoftheirwaytohelp,somearevisiblyimpatient.

“Getting my Medicare card was a breeze because the lady in the counter had the patience to explain to me several times the documents I needed to bring to be issued a card, but I lost three months of Centrelink benefits because the officer there was not willing to respond to my plea for clarifications. He simply assumed that I was being difficult. Then, I was assigned another officer who did everything possible under his authority to resolve my issue as soon as possible.” Focus group participant

•Theywereunaccustomedtorepeatingthemselves indiscussionswithothers.Theyspokeoftheirfrustrationofothersbeingunabletounderstandthem,simplybecausesomeoftheirwordingwasoutofcontext.

“I avoid speaking up because I feel my English is not good enough. This is crazy, instead of looking for opportunities to practice my English, I am practicing avoidance. Intellectually I know this has to stop, but for some reason I can’t do it yet.” Focus group participant

Respondentsstressedthatlanguageisafundamentalissueaffectingaccesstoanduseofservices;theabilitytoconverse,readandwriteinEnglishmakesallaspectsofthesettlementprocessquickerandeasierandindeterminingsocialandeconomicoutcomes.

RespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantshighlightedtheimportanceofEnglishlanguageproficiencyasakeyelementtosuccessfulsocio-economicintegrationandinfacilitatingengagementinsocio-culturalactivities.Leveloffluency inthe languageofone’sprofession,educationalqualifications,andworkexperiencepriortoimmigration,butmostimportantlyworkexperiencegainedinAustralia,areallkeyfactorsindetermininghowquicklytheycanfindajobandthetypeofemploymenttheycansecure.

Respondentsandfocusgroupparticipantsunderstoodorfoundthroughexperiencethatlanguagewasthegreatestbarrieringainingaccesstosupportandotherservices.Lackofknowledgeofthoseserviceswasnothelpfuleither,oftenresultinginmissingoutonvariousbenefitsavailabletothem.

They suggested that partners of Australian citizens andAustralian permanent residents ofGreekdescent with limited English language proficiency would benefit from free language instructionofferedonarrival.Thoseawareofsuchlanguageprogramsadvisedthatnewarrivalswouldbenefitfromattending languagelearningprograms inAustralia, inparticularthe510hoursoffreeEnglishlanguagetuitionprovidedbytheAustralianGovernment.Understandably, theywould like toseefreeEnglishlanguagetuitionextendedtoGreekcitizenswhoarecurrentlyineligibletoreceivethis.

ThecostofEnglishlanguagecoursesandtheneedtoworklonghoursforsurvival,isofseriousconcerntomanyof the survey respondents ineligible to receive free English language tuition.Working inmarginaljobsintheperipheraleconomythatofferlittlesecurityandnoopportunitytogainadditionallanguageskillsisdoublyasconcerningbecauseitthreatenstheirlong-termprospectofbeingsociallyincludedandintegratedwiththewiderAustraliancommunity.

Ahandfulof respondentsand focusgroupparticipantsadvised that it is important for thosenotproficient inEnglish tobeable toaccess servicesandessential informationavailable toallotherVictorians.Professionalinterpretingandtranslatingservicesdeliveredbyqualifiedpractitionerscanhelpovercomelanguagebarriersandhelppeoplecommunicatewithsupportandotherservices.

assessMent anD reCognition of QualifiCations anD eXPerienCe

Virtuallyall respondentsand focusgroupparticipantshad thenecessaryqualificationsandworkexperiencetosuccessfullyintegrateintoAustraliansociety.AllhadexpectedthattheirqualificationsandskillsweresufficientlysoundtoenablethemtobecomeactiveparticipantsintheAustralianlabourmarketandfacilitatetheirintegrationintoAustraliansociety.Instead,athirdofthe108respondentsindicated that theyhadexperienced structuralbarriers thathindered theefficient recognitionof


their qualifications, and another 40 (or 37 percent) faced problems with finding Australian workexperienceandemployment.Theyinformedthatsuchbarriersincluded:

•Aprocessofskillsrecognitionthatiscomplex,oftenconfusing,expensiveandtimeconsuming.

•Notknowingwheretogotoapplyforrecognitionofqualifications,languagedifficultiesandlackofknowledgeoftheprocedures.

•The need to undertake costly translation of multiple documents into English, such as trainingandeducationdocuments,and references fromemployers, toascertain theirauthenticityandequivalencetolocalqualifications.

•Thelackofasingleauthoritytoassess,recogniseandvalidateoverseasqualifications

•Theoccupationallicensingrequirementsofsomeprofessionsbeingundulydifficultoftencontaininganelementofbiasagainstmigrantsfromculturallyandlinguisticallydiversebackgrounds

•TheneedinsomecircumstancestocomplementtheiroverseasqualificationsbyundertakinganAustraliancourse.Nevertheless,alargenumberofrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantswereeither,undertakingfurtherstudiesorintendingtodoso,somehavingorconsideringachangeincareer,aswellasacquiringnewskillsinAustralia.

Whilereliable,credibleandspeedyassessmentofqualificationsisessentialtorapidlabourmarketintegration, andwhile the process of recognitionmay be a hindrance for some new arrivals tofindemployment,a farbiggerbarrier is the reluctanceofAustralianemployers tovalueoverseasqualificationsandworkexperienceasequivalenttoAustralianones.

“No one asked about my recognised qualifications from an Australian authority but, interviewing panels in all 7 interviews that I had attended asked about work experience in Australia” Focus group participant.

SurveyrespondentsconsideredtheneedtohaveAustralianworkexperiencetobebothfrustratingand to someextentdemeaning. Theywereunsurewhetheremployers used thepretext of localexperiencetodiminishthevalueoftheirownoftensubstantialexperienceortoindirectlyalertthemoftheneedtofamiliarisethemselveswithAustralianworkculture,governmentregulationsandwayofoperatinggenerally.Whatevermaybethereason,itwouldbeusefultonewarrivalstoknowthereasons,ratherthantryingtodecipherthenuanceshiddenbehind‘localworkexperience’.Focusgroupparticipantsarguedthatemployersshouldhaveanobligationtoprovidegenuinefeedbacktoapplicantstoenablethemtoimproveanyshortcomingsintheirapplications.

Aby-productofthesebarriersisthefearoftheirskillsbecomingobsoleteiftheywereunabletogainrapidentrytothelabourmarketintheirfieldoftraining.ThisisaseriousissueforallnewarrivalsfromGreece,butforGreekcitizensunabletoaccesslabourmarketbridgingprogramsandineligibletoreceiveincomesupportisespeciallydisadvantageous.

eMPloyMent

Searchingforemployment,particularlyprofessionalemployment,isaseriousundertakinginAustralia,requiringlonghoursofcombingemploymentsitestofindapositionofinterestandrelevanttoone’squalificationandskills;havingthedeterminationtopersonallyapproachemployers,particularlyformenialjobs;fortradespeoplegainingaccesstobeingasupervisedassistant;knowingthemodusoperandi of recruitment companies; preparing an application that incorporates an up-to-datecurriculum vitae, a cover letter andwhere required addressing the selection criteria; organisingreferees;promotingone’sstrongmarketableskillsatinterviews;andbeingpatienttocontinuetheprocessalloveragainoncerejectedforajob.

SurveyrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantswhohadplannedwellpriortomigratingtoAustraliawerelargelyawareoftheaboverequirements.Theyhadcommencedtheprocessofrecognizingtheirqualificationsandexperiencewellbeforetheirarrival;organisedandtranslatedintoEnglishallthenecessarydocuments;avoidedbeingswayedbyunscrupulousinformants, insteadsoughttheviewsofa rangeof informants;exploredemploymentsites togaina feelofemploymentoptions


available tothem; readwidely toascertainemployment trends inAustralia, includingsupplyanddemand,remunerationandgenerallyerredonthesideofcaution.IftheywereGreekcitizenspursuedavisatypemostfavourabletotheirclaimforpermanentresidency.Acommoncharacteristicofthisgroupofpeoplewastheirmeticulouspreparationandsoundfinancialbacking,knowingtheprocessofgainingapermanentvisacouldlastanumberofyearsandimmediateemploymentonarrivalwasnotaforgonereality.

Thosewhowerenotaware,aswasthecasewithmostrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipants,thosewhohad ignoredthewarningsof family, relatives, friendsoracquaintances,orwere ledtobelievebyself-interestedthirdpartiesthatfindingajobinAustraliawillbearelativelyeasyproposition,onarrivalquicklyrealisedthecomplexityoftheprocess.

Ofthe108surveyrespondents,40or(37percent)andalargenumberoffocusgroupparticipantsindicatedthattheyarefindingitdifficulttogainAustralianworkexperienceandemployment.Someofthereasonsprovidedincluded:

•Thestyleoflanguageandformatusedintheirresumetodemonstratethequalityoftheiroverseas-gainedqualificationsandexperiencewas largely ineffective inAustralia. Inaddition,discussionsheldbetweentheauthorandotherAustralianGreekprofessionalswhohavehelpedprofessionalsarrivingfromGreeceoverthepastfiveyearsrevisetheirresumes,prepareacoverletteroraddresskeyselectioncriteriarevealtheneedforsignificantassistancetoimprovethemarketabilityoftheskillsandexperienceofnewarrivalsonpaper.

•Thefailureofmostemployerstoprovideanyfeedbackisdenyingnewarrivalsofcriticalinformationnecessarytoimprovetheshortcomingsoftheirapplication.

I feel I am going from one application to another totally blind. Employers never provide anyfeedback.Idon’thaveacluewhatwaswrongwithanyofmypreviousapplications.”Focusgroupparticipant

•Thosewhohadsucceededtobeinvitedtoaninterviewagainexperiencedsignificantdifficultiesarticulatingandspruikingtherelevancyandtransferabilityoftheirqualificationsandexperience,aswell as otherattributes suchas their adaptability, flexibility, highproductivityandwillingnesstoundertakeoccupation-specific trainingcoursesperhaps inconjunctionwithworkexperienceinternshipprograms.

“A new arrival sought my assistance with preparing for a job interview. She was highly qualified with several years of experience, had done a decent job with the key selection criteria, her resume was fine and the cover letter was also well written. I then asked to see the key responsibilities and duties of the position. She looked rather awkwardly, unable to see the relevancy of my request. I coached her for four hours on preparing her and warned her that she may still not get the job. We repeated the process three more times before being successful with a job.” Australian Greek Human Resource Manager in a large national company discussing the issue at a social meeting with the author

•For a few new arrivals their English language proficiency may be sufficient to get by in thecommunity,butinadequateforemploymentintheirchosenprofession.Thesearrivalsandthosefewwith no English language skills, both needaccess toa rangeof employment trainingandplacement,aswellasEnglishlanguagetrainingprogramstogivethemtheopportunitytoimprovetheiroccupationspecificEnglish.

•TheabsenceofAustralianrefereeswhocouldconfirmtheirskillsandotherattributes.

•Federallyfundedemploymentservicesaimtoplacenewarrivalsquicklyintothefirstavailablejobratherthaninaguidingthemtofindasuitablejobthatreflectstheirqualifications,experienceandpreference.Respondentsattributedthis toJobNetworkprovidersbeingremuneratedbasedonthenumberofpeopletheyplaceinemploymentasopposedtothequalityandsustainabilityofthejob.


•Some jobs requireprospectiveemployees tohaveaccess toacar.Newarrivals,at least in theinitialstagesdonothavethefinancialcapacitytopurchaseoneandthereforeareexcludedfrompotentialpositions.

•Lackofaffordablechildcareprecludedatleastonepartnertofindemployment,orinthecaseofsingleparents,limitedemploymentoptionstocasualorpart-timework.Justunderathirdofthe108respondents needed long day care or after hours care8.

•Adearthof relativesorothernetworksandcontactswith theability toassistwithpreparinganapplication / interview and often with finding employment; limited access to transport; andaffordablehousingclosetoemploymentalsolimitworkopportunities.

•Thealiennotionofundertakingvoluntaryworkasanentrytoemployment.

Findingajobonarrival,didnotalwaysmeandesirableemployment.Anumberofrespondentsandfocus groupparticipantsworked in unhealthywork environments, including long hours, relativelyhighoccupationalhealthandsafetyrisks,limitedjobsecurity,acceptingajobbelowone’slevelofskillandexperience.ThesetypesofjobsleftlimitedtimetogainAustralianqualificationsorimproveEnglishlanguageproficiencyandpeoplewereconcernedthatthelongertheyworkedoutsidetheirareaofoccupationalexpertise theharder itbecame for them toenter theworkforceata levelappropriatetotheirskillsandexperience.Eachformofunsatisfactoryemploymentappearstofeedresentmentandhasimplicationsforthesettlementandwellbeingofnewarrivals.

Focus group participants suggested that the Australian Greek welfare society seek funding to commenceaCareerTransitionprogramoperatedbyvolunteersalongthesameprinciplesasthatoftheMigrationAgentInformationandReferralServiceandtheGreekLegalInformationandReferralServicecurrently runby theOrganisation.RetiredGreek-speaking recruitersandhuman resourceworkersshouldbeapproachedtooffer freeguidancetonewlyarrivedmigrants fromGreeceonpersonaladjustment,developingclearcareerobjectivesandplans,personalmarketingmaterials,personalresiliencyandskillstoworkwithrecruiters.

TheyalsorecommendedthattheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietyprovideaseriesofseminarstonewarrivalsonjoborapprenticeshipsearchingtechniques, includingdirectlyapproachingemployers;negotiatingemployees’rights,i.e.,adecentwageandotherworkentitlements;preparingawinningresumeandcover letter; addressing key selectioncriteriawhere required; interviewpreparation;developingessential non-technical skills, e.g., communication, presentation, andother skills; anddevelopingeffectivenetworkingtechniques.Theseseminarsshouldalsoraiseawarenessofemployerexpectations,rightsandentitlements,andifnecessaryknowwheretocomplain.

...........................................................................

8Responsestoquestion30ofthesurvey:“Doyouhaveachildcareneed?”


labour Market DisCriMination anD eXPloitation

Discrimination

Discriminationandexploitationhavethepotentialtomaketheprocessofsettlementmoredifficultfornewarrivals.

Afewrespondentsciteddiscriminationasabarriertoparticipation inwork.Discrimination isoftenbased on the reluctance of employers to give them a go because of their lack of Australianexperience.

Respondentsandfocusgroupparticipantsexpectedthattheireducationalcredentials,professionalexperience,ageandbilingualskillswouldbestrongmarketablecharacteristicsthatwouldbemuchsoughtbyemployers.Whilesome,primarilyGreek-speakingorganisationshaverecognisedthevalueoftheircredentialsandaretakingadvantageoftheopportunitytoattractwell-educated,highlyskillednewarrivalswithfluency inbothEnglishandGreek,othersdonotseethesecharacteristicsasbeingasufficientlyattractiveproposition.This isregrettablebecauseorganisations,suchastheAustralianGreekWelfare Society and FrondithaCare that have employed a significant numberofnewarrivalshavepraised their flexibility,adaptability, strongworkethic,highproductivityandcapacitytovalueadd,willingnesstoundergotrainingandacceptemploymentforwhichthey,inmanyinstances,areoverqualified.

“I had made 27 applications and personally I have approached several companies. “Everyone (employers) wanted Australian experience. Well, I only had experience from working in Greece, and it was a good experience. Now my employer is happy with my Greek experience and has hired another newly arrived Greek person.” Survey respondent

“What we didn’t know was that overseas qualifications and overseas work experience are not appreciated in Australia. We thought that having a Master’s Degree from a good American University and highly professional experiences would be sufficient to find employment in Australia. Unfortunately, they were not sufficient at all.” Survey respondent

Bothorganisationshavewelcomedthisdevelopmentasithasinfusedtheirorganisationswithmuchneededbilingualskillspreviouslydifficulttofindwithinthelocallabourmarketsupply.Focusgroupparticipantsattributedemployer reluctance to shun theirbilingualandotherprofessional skillsonignorancethatnewarrivalskillsmaynotbereadilytransferabletoanAustraliancontext.AgaintheexperiencesoftheAustralianGreekWelfareSocietyandFrondithaCarehaveprovenotherwise.Itwouldseemthattherecentlyadoptedadage‘anewworkermustbeupandrunningfromthewordgo’ isdenyingemployersprofessional skills theywoulddesperatelyneedonce the labourmarketimproves.

WithanageingpopulationandthemuchtoutedskillshortageinAustralia,thenewlyarrivedfromGreecepresentauniqueopportunitytoenrichAustraliawithtalentandknowledgefromasourcethathasservedthecountrywellinthepast.Thestudyshowsthatwithsomeinitialtrainingtheywillcontributepositivelytoanyorganisationwillingtogivethemago.

Exploitation

It isnotclearthatgivingpreferenceto jobapplicantswithAustralianexperience is infactduetoemployerdiscrimination,eventhough40(or37percent)of respondents, indicatedthattheyhadexperiencedproblemswithfindingAustralianworkexperienceoremployment.Whatisclear,however,is that exploitation is occurring.At least seven respondentsand several focusgroupparticipantsstatedthattheywerepersonallyexploitedbytheiremployer,andmigrationagentsatafocusgroupmeetingclaimedthatanumberoftheirclientshadexperienceit.

“Those who have business, they take advantage of them and pay as little as possible. I’ve heard $6.00 per hour.” Survey respondent

...........................................................................


“457s (Visa 457) – they (employers) say we’ll give you $54,000, but you gotta give us money back. Cash. Or you have to work 80 hours a week. And that’s of course all off the books.”

“And the money transfer shows from their account to your account, but doesn’t show that you’ve given back $5,000 or $10,000.”

“There is no, you know, you wanna be assertive little… shit.” Migration agent at focus group meeting with migration agents

...........................................................................

“You can’t do it when you go and get employed, perhaps, but you can do it once they realize how good you are, but…” Focus group facilitator

But at that stage you can’t, there’s such a dependency. There is no equality in that.

Cos they know here are other people that will work under those conditions.

And it’s becoming a feature. I have had so many people come and say to me, the employer will not put me on the books. It is so much more beneficial for them financially to have a whole army of undocumented workers.

How come you got all these people working here and you’re only paying $50 in wages? It’s my family, they’re just visiting.” Migration agent

Themajorityofbusinessesdotheright thingbytheiremployeesandsomegooutof theirwaytoaccommodateanyadditionalneedstheymayhave.Sadly,afew,exploitthevulnerabilityofnewarrivals,theirneedtoworkandsurvive,andtheirlackofbargainingpower.Employersareawarethatnewarrivalscannotsaytothemthat“youneedtopaymeformally,topaytaxforme;youneedtopaymesuper”(migrationagent).Newarrivalswouldrefrainfromsayingthat,becausetheyaresoreliantonthatmoneyandperhapstheyarehopingthattheiremployercouldbeapotentialsponsor,ifthatisfeasibleinanyway.

TheproblemisthatthemajorityofnewarrivalsdonotknowthatthecurrentNationalMinimumWageis$16.87perhour;thatemployeescoveredbytheNationalMinimumWagealsogetatleasta25percentcasualloading;theydonotknowwhatformsneedtobecompleted;noonehasgiventhemanintroductiontotheNationalEmploymentStandardswhichspelloutthe10minimumentitlements;andofcoursetheyhavenotheardthattheFairWorkOmbudsmancanprovideeducation,informationandadvice,help to resolveworkplacecomplaints,conduct investigations,andenforce relevantCommonwealthworkplacelaws.

Focusgroupparticipantshavemadeitclearthatwhereavisaholderhaspermanentresidencyasagoal thatpersonmayendure,withoutcomplaint, substandard livingconditions, illegalorunfairdeductions fromwages,andother similar formsofexploitation toavoid jeopardising thegoalofpermanentresidency.

eConoMiC inDePenDenCe

Allrespondentsandfocusgroupparticipantsrecognisedtheimportanceofhavingsufficientlylargecontingencyfundstolastthemforaminimumoffourtosixmonthstotiethemoverwhilesearchingforemployment.AustraliancitizensandpermanentresidentsofGreekdescentreturningaftermanyyearsofabsencecouldexpectsomereliefthroughtheirentitlementtoreceiveCentrelinkbenefits.ThesebenefitsarenotaccordedtoGreekcitizens,requiringthemtobeentirelyreliantontheirownfinancialresources.

Figure8inSection:“Challenges”indicatesthatjustoverathirdofrespondentshadfoundthroughpainfulexperiencesthateconomicindependencewascriticalfortheirinitialsettlementandsurvival.Somehadexperiencedhousingstress,othersfamilytensionsandbreakdown,alienationandsocialisolationduetotheirinabilitytoaffordsocialoutingsorengagementwiththecommunity,erosionofconfidenceandself-esteem,weakeningofworkskills,andill-health.Focusgroupparticipantshavereportedcaseswherenewarrivalsonstudentvisascouldnotsendtheirchildrentoschoolbecause


their limited funds impeded their capacity topay theannual tuition fees in government schoolsrangingfrom$6,000to$9,000. Inoneextremeexample,afamilyhadkept itschildrenawayfromschoolforalmostninemonths.AGWScaseworkersareawarethatafewCatholicschoolschargethenormaldomestictuitionfeesofaround$2,000peryear,insteadoftheInternationalstudentfeesandenrolnewlyarrivedGreek-speakingchildren.Inrelationtoadults,theyoftenstruggledtoaffordthehighfeesrequiredtoenrolinrelevanteducationalcourses.

TheVictorianGovernment isobligedtomakeprimaryandsecondaryschoolingavailable freetoallchildrenofschoolage,includingchildrenofGreekcitizenship.ThisrelatestoallchildrenlivinginVictoria,notonlythosewhoareAustraliancitizens.

Therighttofreeeducationstemsfromanumberof internationaldocuments,towhichAustralia isasignatory.TherighttoeducationwasfirstexpressedintheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR).Article26provides:

(1)Everyonehastherighttoeducation.Educationshallbefree,atleastintheelementaryandfundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professionaleducationshallbemadegenerallyavailableandhighereducationshallbeequallyaccessibletoallonthebasisofmerit.

WhiletheUDHRisnotabindingasaconvention, itsnearuniversalacceptanceentailsthat ithasattainedthatstatusofcustomaryinternationallaw.

ThisprovisionisentrenchedbytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(‘ICESCR’).Article13states:

1. TheStatesPartiestothepresentCovenantrecognizetherightofeveryonetoeducation.Theyagreethateducationshallbedirectedtothefulldevelopmentofthehumanpersonalityandthesenseofitsdignity,andshallstrengthentherespectforhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms.They furtheragree thateducation shall enableall persons toparticipateeffectively ina freesociety, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial,ethnicorreligiousgroups,andfurthertheactivitiesoftheUnitedNationsforthemaintenanceofpeace.

2. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that, with a view to achieving the fullrealizationofthisright:

(a) Primaryeducationshallbecompulsoryandavailablefreetoall;

(b) Secondaryeducation in itsdifferent forms, including technicalandvocational secondaryeducation,shallbemadegenerallyavailableandaccessibletoallbyeveryappropriatemeans,andinparticularbytheprogressiveintroductionoffreeeducation…

Moreover,Article28oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(‘CRC’)(whichisthemostwidelyacceptedConventionintheworldprovides:

1. StatesPartiesrecognizetherightofthechildtoeducation,andwithaviewtoachievingthisrightprogressivelyandonthebasisofequalopportunity,theyshall,inparticular:

(a) Makeprimaryeducationcompulsoryandavailablefreetoall;

(b) Encouragethedevelopmentofdifferentformsofsecondaryeducation, includinggeneraland vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and takeappropriatemeasuressuchastheintroductionoffreeeducationandofferingfinancialassistanceincaseofneed…

Therighttofreesecondaryeducationisrequiredtobeimplementedprogressivelywiththeresourcesof a nation. Given the economic prosperity of Victoria and the importance of education it isincontestable thatVictoria inorder tocomplywith theseConventions is required toprovide freeprimaryandsecondaryeducationtoallchildrenthatresideintheState.


Other forms of financial hardship have been reported byGreek community individualmembersandorganisationssuchasGreekOrthodoxParishesandtheHellenicAustralianCommunitySupportAssociation(HACSA)whichhaveraisedfundstoeithersupportnewarrivalswithmedicalorcostoflivingexpenses,aswellashelppayforairfarestorepatriateindividualsorfamiliesbacktoGreece.

AGWScaseworkersarealsoseeing increasingnumbersofnewarrivalsurgently requiringfinancialandmaterialreliefaswellasaccesstocounsellorstoaddressfamilyconflict,relationshipandmentalhealthissues.

eDuCation

TransitioningintoAustralia’sprimaryandsecondaryeducationsystemspresentsenormouschallengesforrecentlyarrivedschoolagedchildrenfromGreece,especiallyforthosewhoarrivewithminimalor no understanding of the English language. Attaining the level of spoken English and literacyneededtosuccessfullyintegrateintotheregularclassroomisalongandstrenuousprocess.ItisalsodependentontheavailabilityofEnglishasaSecondLanguageprogramwithintheschoolattendedbythesechildren,providingintensivefull-timeprogramsortargetedsupporttoassistwith learningEnglishandsupportchildrenacrossthecurriculum.

BeyondlearningEnglishonarrival,school-agedchildrenfaceanumberofissuesatschoolinAustralia.Thesedifficultiesinclude:

1. Thewrittenlanguagethesechildrenmayhavelearnt,togetherwithaquasi-EnglishpronunciationandwordmeaningsareoflittlehelpinaMelbourneprimaryorsecondaryschool.

Theyunderstandlittleofwhatissaidtothem,inandawayfromtheclassroom.Theystrugglewiththecurriculum,withtheAustralianaccentandtheparticularusageofspecificorabbreviatedwords,e.g.PDforpersonaldevelopment,LOTEforlanguageotherthanEnglish,ortextinglingoe.g.lolfor‘laughoutloud’,orhrufor‘howareyou’.

“I chase after him (son), just like all mothers do their sons, he was reading and I told him you have to try harder than the others because you have bigger issues, with the language. And he said ‘mum, don’t you know how hard it is for me? I came here and everything is new for me and so different and so many things have changed in my life, don’t pressure me anymore.” Focus group participant – crying

2. Childrenmay yearn tohave some semblanceofcontrol in their lifeby reverting to speakingGreekwithothernewlyarrivedstudentsatschool,sometimesusingovert languagethatmightappearoffensivewithanAustralianschoolcontextbut,wouldnotwithinaschoolenvironmentinGreece.

3. Whileschoolsandteachersarerequiredtoputrestrictiveboundariesaroundstudentactivitiesandlanguageuse,parentssuggestedthatitwouldbehelpfultofirstdiscussthesewiththemandtheirchildren,sothatbothcouldunderstandtherationalebehindthoserestrictions.Otherwisestudentsmayfeeldepreciatedormayconsidertherestrictionistheresultoftheirownbehaviour.

4. Greek parents are concerned that quite often their children are unacknowledged andundervaluedintheclassroomandtheschoolyard;withteachersandstudentsbeingunawarethattheirchildrenmayhavebeenquitebrightandhighlyvaluedbybothteachersandpeersinGreeceandsuddenlyallthisislostinAustralia.

5. Somechildrenarerefusingtoattendschoolbecauseit’salltoostressful,becausechangeanduncertaintyarefartoobigforthemtocopewith.Somearestilltryingtomakesenseofwhattheyhadayearearlierandwhattheyhadlost,withnoovertgainincomingtoAustralia.Aswell-wornroutinesarebeingdisrupted,someyoungerchildrenarebedwettingforthefirsttimeintheirlife,requiringsignificantemotionalsupportandcounselling.Whereparentsandschoolareworkingintandemit’sprovinghelpfultochildren,slowlyovercomingtheiradjustmentproblems.

Inaddition,adolescenceisaverydifficultperiodforallchildren.Itcanbeatimeofdisorientationanddiscovery.Iftheyfeeldifferent,asmanynewarrivaladolescentsarelikelytofeel,theirwholesenseofselfandself-esteemislikelytobeaffectedandinterrupted.Thismaybedisruptivetotheprocessofdevelopmentandmayaffecttheirmentalhealth.


AGWScounsellingstaffencourageschoolstobealerttoanumberofotherbehaviours,including:excessiveworrying,difficultysleeping,depressionmanifestedincryingorbeingconstantlysad,being withdrawn or spending a lot of time alone, weight loss or gain, losing interest, beingargumentative, angry or irritable, unable to focus, attitude problems, or poor academicprogress.

Parentshavepraisedtheeffortsofsomeschoolstoeffectivelyaccommodatetheneedsoftheirchildrenoftenwithinlimitedresources.

6. Schoolagedchildrenmaybeexperiencingadeepsenseofloss,missingfriends,home,school,boyfriend/girlfriendandfamily leftbehindinGreece;theydespisemakingnewfriendsalloveragain,wearingaschooluniformorbeingplacedinaclassroombelowtheactualleveltheyhadattainedinGreece.Skype,FacebookandotherformsofinstantcommunicationprolongcontactwiththeirfriendsinGreece,onlytorealiseatsomestageit’s illusory,particularlyforteenagers,althoughforsomeithelpstoovercomethegrievingprocesssomewhatearlier.

7. Somearehome sick, longing to return toGreece,preventedonlyby limited family finances.Paradoxically,whereatemporaryreturntoGreecehasbeenpossible,ithashelpedthemchangeandsettle.

“He saw how they’re struggling, in each moment that the time passes. Some of his cousins have finished their studies and now they cannot find jobs. They just sit there like that”. Focus group participant

8. AGWS counsellors stressed that difficult home environments where family members are alsoexperiencingdifficultiescopingwithresettlementinAustralia,theyarenotinapositiontoprovideeffectivesupportforachildinschool.

9. Whereparents areworking for very lowwages due to exploitation, the implications for childpovertyareself-evident.Wherehopelessnessispervasiveinparents,childrensuffer.

10.Asstated intheSection:‘Economic Independence’above,someAustralianGovernmentvisarequirementsdonotenablestudents toattendpublic schoolsduetoprohibitivelyhigh tuitionfees.Thisisfinanciallystrainingonhouseholds,andextremelystressfulonchildren.

11.SometeenageboysapproachingtheageformandatorymilitaryserviceinGreeceatage18yearsareclearlydistressedthattheymaybelabelledasbeingdeserters.Thisisunhelpfulatthiscritical junctureoftheir lifeandparentsofnewarrivalschoolagedchildrenarecallingontheGreekGovernmenttoconsiderflexibleapproaches,ratherthantheirchildrenfacingadditionalpressureandneedingtoallocate,ataperiodofdisorientation,timetotheprocessofresolvingthisissue.

Feedbackfromanumberoffocusgroupparticipantsindicatedthatdespitethesechallenges,theywerehappywiththeprogressoftheirchildren.Classresultsandschoolfeedbackindicatesthattheirchildrenperformremarkablywellandhavethepotentialtomatchtheeducationalachievementsof their peers born in Australia. However, there was also a significant number of parents whowereconcernedthatthe learningneedsof theirchildrenremainunmet,sometimeswithadverseconsequences.

Both respondentsand focusgroupparticipants informedthatgoingthroughthe initial settlementprocess has been stressful for them and their families; some have experienced communicationbreakdown,strain infamilyrelationshipsandsomeincidentsoffamilyviolence.ThishasalsobeenreportedbyAGWScasework staffandcounsellors. Inaddition,60 (or56percent)of respondents have indicated that they would benefit from services that could support their emotional andpsychological wellbeing9.

...........................................................................

9Responsestoquestion31ofthesurvey:“WouldnewlyarrivedGreekpeoplebenefitfromservicessupportingtheemotionalandpsychologicalwellbeingofindividuals,includingchildren?’asperfootnote6.


DisCussion

Theestimated6,000GreekandCyprus residents thathadmigrated toVictoriaover thepastfiveyearsexperiencedarangeofdifficultiesduringthepre-migrationandsettlementperiods.Thereisbroadconsensuswithintheliteratureandthefindingsofthestudythatpre-migrationplanningandpreparationcansignificantlyreducethenegativeeffectsandenhancethepositiveoutcomesofthemigrationsettlementprocess.Bothidentifiedtheneedforpotentialmigrantsto:a)deriveinformationfromanumberofreputablesourcestoensureitsaccuracy,aswastheneedtobypassself-interestedthirdparties,althoughaccesstoinformationprovidedbyreputableorganisationsisnotalwayseasilyaccessible; b)organiseand translate intoEnglishall thenecessarydocuments;c) finalisewherepossibletherecognitionofprofessionalqualificationsandexperience;d)familiarisethemselveswithemploymenttrendsandoptionsavailableinAustralia,includingsupplyanddemand,remuneration,andgenerally,employmentconditions;e)understandcostof livingpressures relating tohousing,education,dailylivingandtransport,andtheirassociationwithavailablepersonalfunds.

TheresearchfindingssuggestthattheroadmaptoapermanentAustralianresidentvisafromGreeceisalongonerousprocess,requiringpatience,resilience,pursuingavisatypethatmatchestheskillsandexperienceoftheclaimant,andhavingsufficientfinancialresourcestolastthedistance.StartingtheprocessonceinAustraliaisequallyasdemanding;itisaslow,grindingprocessthatcouldtakeanumberofyearswithnoguaranteeofsuccess.Settlementmanualssuchas‘BeginningaLife inAustralia’informaboutthepossibledifficultiesnewmigrantsarelikelytoexperienceonceinAustralia,however,theyseemtobesilentanddonotprovideanunequivocalstatementaboutthelengthy,strenuousprocessofgainingapermanentAustralianvisa.

Peopleallover theworldandfinancially strappedGreeks leaving theircountryaspire toa futurethatoffersabetterqualityoflifeforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Broadly,GreekmigrantsarrivinginAustralia,likemigrantsallovertheworld,assuggestedbytheliterature,envisagethatfuturewillincorporaterecognitionoftheirprofessionalqualificationsandexperiencethatwouldfacilitateaccesstoajobintheirchosenprofessiongivingthemdignityandmeetingthevarietyoftheirneeds,socialinclusionandparticipation,opportunitiesforimprovement,adequatehousing,asafe,friendlyandcaringenvironmentthatcouldnurturethemandtheirchildren.Oneissuemissingfromthediscussioninthe literature isabouttheadvantagesavailabletoreturningAustraliancitizensandpermanentAustralian residentsofGreekdescentasopposed toGreekcitizensmigrating toAustralia for thefirsttime.Theformerareeligibletoaccesssocialsecurityentitlementsimmediatelyandsettlementsupportservices,thelatterareineligibletoanyofthese.Withtheobstacleofobtainingpermanentresidencyremoved,theycanfocusonrebuildingabetterfutureforthemselvesandtheirchildren.ForGreekcitizens inAustralia, acquiringapermanent resident visacould largelydetermine thatbetterfuture.

Accesstofamily,relativesorfriends,andwhererequiredwell-resourcedformalsupportservicesinthediasporacouldpavethewayforaneasiertransitioninthedestinationcountry.Howeverthisisnotalwaysagiven.Thestudyunpacksthisandenrichestheliterature.Itidentifiedthatmanyyearsofseparation,ageanddifferentculturalmilieus,levelofeducation,financialconstraintsanddiffidencetoarticulateeachother’sexpectationscouldimpedethattransitionandfracturetheirrelationship.Toensurefamily,relativesorfriendsremainahelpfulresourcefornewarrivals,respondentsandfocusgroupparticipantswereabletoarticulateideastoconstructachecklisttohelpfamily,relativesandpotentialarrivalstodrawaquasi-memorandumofunderstandingtoponderon,priortomakingadecisiontomigrate,facilitatetheircohabitationandhelpnewarrivalsthriveandprosper.

Newarrivalsseektheassistanceofformalsupportservicestoresolvedifficultiestheymayencounterwithgovernment,housing,employment,health,welfare,education,legalandotherservices.Whilesuch services generally resolve issues of concern, difficulties arise due to poor English languageproficiency,eligibilityrequirements,disagreementsrelatingtoadviceanddecisions,delayindecision-making,aswellaspooradministrationoforganisationalpoliciesandprocedures.Australia’s longhistoryofprovidingculturallysensitiveformalsupportservices,oftenassistedbyethniccommunitystructuresandmediahasproventobeavaluableresourcetonewarrivals.ThestrategicretentionofsettlementsupportservicesbyAGWSthroughitsownfund-raisingactivities,largelysupportedbyVictoria’sGreekcommunity,exemplifies the importanceof retaining this resource tonewarrivals.Withoutgovernment support,however, the sustainabilityof these services is in jeopardy.Close to500newarrivals,overthepastfiveyears,havereceivedvaryinglevelsofsupportthroughcasework,information and referral, crisis intervention, counselling, migration and legal advice services.


Facilitatingaccesstogovernmentandothersupportservicesresults in increasedlifeopportunitiesandhelpsreducebarrierstoparticipation,promotessocialcohesion,andcontributestoAustralia’smulticulturalsociety.

Thebenefitsoftheseenablerscanbeextendedbymitigatingtheeffectsofbarriersandchallengesthat occur in different ways to each individual new arrival. These barriers and challenges arebroadly the same theworldaround,although thedetailsmay reflect theprevailingconditions ineachcountry.ThesurveyhighlightedthatthehighcostofhousinganddubiousindustrypracticesisdenyingaccesstoaffordablehousingtonewarrivalsinVictoria;structuralbarriershindertheefficientrecognitionofoverseas-gainedqualificationsandexperience,employer reticencetohirepeoplewithsuchqualificationsandexperience,employerdiscrimination,poorEnglishlanguageproficiencyandlackoflocaltechnicalknowledgeallconspiretodenynewarrivalsaccesstothelabourmarket;exploitationatworkisadailyrealityforsomemigrants,reducingthemtopovertyandarelianceoncharityhandouts;accesstocontingencyfundsactsasasafetynetintheinitialsettlementperiod;andtransitioningtoschoolpresentsenormouschallengesforrecentlyarrivedschoolagedchildrenasdothestressesofmigrationforsomeadults.

ThefindingsconcurwiththeliteraturethatanimprovedawarenessofcostoflivingpressuresrelatingtohousingaffordabilityinMelbourne,havingaccesstofinancialresourcesanddevelopingstrategiesto counter dubious industry practices is a necessary precondition to affordable, secure housing.ReducingbarrierstoefficientrecognitionofoverseasqualificationsandworkexperienceincreasethepotentialcontributionofGreekarrivalstoAustraliansociety.ImprovingEnglishlanguagefluencyandlocaltechnicalknowledgestrengthenthecapacityofnewarrivalstodemonstratethequalityoftheiroverseas-gainedqualificationsandexperience.Careertransitioningprogramsallowforcustomtailoredapproachesthatimprovetheirmarketabilityandemployability.KnowledgeoftheNationalEmploymentStandardsandaccesstocomplaintsmechanismscanbringsignificantbenefitstonewarrivals,althoughbeinginadependencymakesitdifficultfornewarrivalstoasserttheirrightsintheworkplace.Schoolsworkingintandemwithparentsaremorelikelytobeeffectiveinaccommodatingtheneedsofchildrenat school,andadults seeking the supportofcounsellorsandother supportservicescouldhelpthemidentifyorredefinetheirprioritiesandregaincontroloftheirsituation.


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Velayutham,S.(2013).PrecariousExperiencesofIndiansinAustraliaon457WorkVisas.The Economic and Labour Relations Review , 24,340-361.

VictorianCouncilofSocialService.(2010).MindtheGap:AnAssessmentofTransportNeedsandIssuesforYoungPeopleinMelbourne’sUrbanFringes.Melbourne:VictorianCouncilofSocialService.

VictorianEqualOpportunityandHumanRightsCommission.(2012).School Fees for Children of Visa Holders.RetrievedAugust7,2014,fromVictorianEqualOpportunityandHumanRightsCommission:http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/index.php/our-projects-a-initiatives/past-projects/item/54-school-fees-for-children-of-visa-holders

Watters,C.(2011).TowardsaNewParadigminMigrantHealthResearch:IntegratingEntitlement,AccessandAppropriateness.International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care , 7 (3),148-159.


Country of residence: Cyprus (CountryofBirth:Australia,Greece&Cyprus–forspecificnumbersrelatingtoCountryofBirth,

pleaseseetables2,3&4ofthisAppendix)

Totalarrivals–Countryofresidence:GreeceandCyprus (CountryofBirth:Australia,Greece&Cyprus–forspecificnumbersrelatingtoCountryofBirth,

pleaseseetables2,3&4ofthisAppendix)

aPPenDiCes

aPPenDiX 1 - table 1: total abs net oVerseas Migration (noM)* arriVals to ViCtoria of greek anD CyPriot resiDents by Country of CitiZenshiP anD Country of birth, 2005 – 2013

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Australia 306 273 265 208 255 325 575

Greece 84 76 77 62 86 173 597

Cyprus 0 0 0 0 0 3 6

Total arrivals

390 349 342 270 341 501 1178

Australia 36 44 48 47 52 40 55

Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Cyprus 12 12 4 6 11 9 9

Total arrivals

48 56 52 53 63 49 67

Australia 342 317 313 255 307 365 630 983@i

Greece 84 76 77 62 86 173 600 866@ii

Cyprus 12 12 4 6 11 12 15 60@iii

Total arrivals

438 405 394 323 404 550 1245 1942@iv

AustralianBureauofStatistics–pleasenotethefollowing:

(a) Cells in this tablehavebeen randomlyadjusted toavoid the releaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals.

(b) Thevisacategory information in this table represents thenumberof visasbasedon thevisa typeat the timeof thetraveller’sspecificmovement.ItisthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.Therefore,thenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationonthenumberofvisasgrantedbytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection.

*FortypeofvisagroupsthatcontributetofinalNOMseethelastpageofthisAppendix.

#ABSdatafor2012-2013willbeavailableinApril2015. @SeeEndnote

Country of residence: Greece CountryofBirth:Australia,Greece&Cyprus

(ForspecificnumbersrelatingtoCountryofBirth,pleaseseetables2,3&4ofthisAppendix)

Financial year

COuNTry OF

CITIZENSHIP


Country of residence: Cyprus (CountryofBirth:Australia)

Totalarrivals–Countryofresidence:GreeceandCyprus (CountryofBirth:Australia)

Country of residence: Greece (CountryofBirth:Australia)

Financial year

COuNTry OF

CITIZENSHIP

aPPenDiX 1 - table 2: abs net oVerseas Migration arriVals to ViCtoria of greek anD CyPriot resiDents by Country of CitiZenshiP anD Country of birth, 2005-06 to 2011-12

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Australia 116 134 151 99 146 191 289

Greece 0 3 3 0 3 4 5

Cyprus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total arrivals

116 137 154 99 149 195 294

Australia 24 28 25 27 22 14 26

Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cyprus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total arrivals

24 28 25 27 22 14 26

Australia 140 162 176 126 168 205 315

Greece 0 3 3 0 3 4 5

Cyprus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



(c) Cells in this tablehavebeen randomlyadjusted toavoid the releaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals.

(d) Thevisacategory information in this table represents thenumberof visasbasedon thevisa typeat the timeof thetraveller’sspecificmovement.ItisthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.Therefore,thenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationonthenumberofvisasgrantedbytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection.

#ABSdatafor2012-2013willbeavailableinApril2015.


Country of residence: Cyprus (CountryofBirth:Greece)

Country of residence: Greece and Cyprus (CountryofBirth:Greece)

aPPenDiX 1 - table 3: abs net oVerseas Migration arriVals to ViCtoria of greek anD CyPriot resiDents by Country of CitiZenshiP anD Country of birth, 2005-06 to 2011-12

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Australia 190 139 114 105 109 134 283

Greece 84 73 74 62 83 169 592

Cyprus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total arrivals

274 212 188 167 192 303 875

Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Cyprus 0 0 0 3 0 0 3

Total arrivals

0 0 0 3 0 0 6

Australia 190 139 114 105 109 134 283

Greece 84 73 74 62 83 169 595

Cyprus 0 0 0 3 0 0 3

Total arrivals

274 212 188 170 192 303 881


a) Cells in this tablehavebeen randomlyadjusted toavoid the releaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals.

b) Thevisacategory information in this table represents thenumberof visasbasedon thevisa typeat the timeof thetraveler’sspecificmovement.It isthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.Therefore,thenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationonthenumberofvisasgranted

bytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection.

#ABSdatafor2012-2013willbeavailableinApril2015

Country of residence: Greece (CountryofBirth:Greece)

Financial year

COuNTry OF

CITIZENSHIP


Country of residence: Cyprus (CountryofBirth:Cyprus)

Country of residence: Greece and Cyprus (CountryofBirth:Greece)

aPPenDiX 1 - table 4: abs net oVerseas Migration arriVals to ViCtoria of greek anD CyPriot resiDents by Country of CitiZenshiP anD Country of birth, 2005 – 2013

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Australia 0 0 0 4 0 0 3

Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cyprus 0 0 0 0 0 3 6

Total arrivals

0 0 0 4 0 3 9

Australia 12 16 23 20 30 26 29

Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Cyprus 12 12 4 3 11 9 6

Total arrivals

24 28 27 23 41 35 35

Australia 12 16 23 24 30 26 32

Greece 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cyprus 12 12 4 3 11 12 12

Total arrivals

24 28 27 27 41 38 44


(e) Cells in this tablehavebeen randomlyadjusted toavoid the releaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals.

(f) Thevisacategory information in this table represents thenumberof visasbasedon thevisa typeat the timeof thetraveler’sspecificmovement.It isthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.Therefore,thenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationonthenumberofvisasgrantedbytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection.

#ABSdatafor2012-2013willbeavailableinApril2015

Country of residence: Greece (CountryofBirth:Cyprus)

Financial year

COuNTry OF

CITIZENSHIP


enDnotes

i. Toarriveatthisestimatefor2012-13,AGWSappliedthe56percentincreasebetween2011-12and2012-13forABSNOMGreececitizenshiparrivalstoVictoriaforsomemigrationstreamvisas(seeTable2inAppendix2)totheABSNOMAustraliacitizenshiparrivalsof630for2011-2012[i.e.,630x56/100=352.8estimatedincreaseofAustraliancitizenshiparrivalsbetween2011-12and2012-13].Thisaddstoatotalnumberof983AustraliancitizenshipnewarrivalstoVictoriafor2012-13 z[i.e., 630+353 = 983]. It was necessary to use the combined ABS NOMGreece and CypruscitizenshiparrivalsasproxyforAustraliancitizenshiparrivalsfromGreeceasnofigureswereavailable for Australian citizenship arrivals who were long-term residents of Greece for 2012-2013 (seeAppendix2).

ii. Toarriveatthisestimatefor2012-13,AGWSappliedthe44.4percentincreasebetween2011-12and2012-13forABSNOMGreececitizenshiparrivalstoVictoriafortotalofsomemigrationstreamvisas(seeTable2inAppendix2)totheABSNOMGreececitizenshiparrivalsof600for2011-2012[i.e.,600x44.4/100=266estimatedincreaseofGreececitizenshiparrivalsbetween2011-12and2012-13].Thisaddstoatotalnumberof866GreececitizenshipnewarrivalstoVictoriafor2012-13[i.e.,600+266=866].

iii. Toarriveatthisestimatefor2012-13,AGWSappliedthe302.6percentincreasebetween2011-12and2012-13forABSNOMCypruscitizenshiparrivalstoVictoriafortotalofsomemigrationstreamvisas(seeTable3inAppendix2)totheABSNOMCypruscitizenshiparrivalsof15for2011-2012[i.e.,600x302.6/100=45estimatedincreaseofCypruscitizenshiparrivalsbetween2011-12and2012-13].Thisaddstoatotalnumberof60CypruscitizenshipnewarrivalstoVictoriafor2012-13[i.e.,15+45=60].

iv. Toarriveatthisestimatefor2012-13,AGWSappliedthe56percent increasebetween2011-12and2012-13forABSNOMGreeceandCyprusarrivalstoVictoriaforsomemigrationstreamvisas(seeTable1inAppendix2)totheTotalABSNOMAustralia,Greece&Cypruscitizenshiparrivalsof 1245 for 2011-2012 [i.e., 1245 x 56/100= 697.2estimated increaseof totalarrivalsbetween2011-12and2012-13].Thisaddstoatotalnumberof1942Australian,Greece&CypruscitizenshipnewarrivalstoVictoriafor2012-13[i.e.,1245+697=1942].Giventhatthecombined56percentincreaseforABSNOMGreeceandCypruscitizenshiparrivalswasusedasproxytoascertaintheestimateforAustraliancitizenshiparrivalsfromGreece,thesumofthecomponentsdoesnotaddexactlytototalarrivalsof1942for2012-13(i.e.,983+866+60=1909insteadof1942arrivals).

Category of Visa grouPs

ThetypeofvisagroupsthatcontributetothefinalNOMinclude:

•Permanentvisas,e.g.,family,skill,specialeligibility,spouse

•ReturningAustraliancitizens

•Temporarywork(skilled)

•Studentvisasbothpermanentandtemporary

•Othertemporaryvisas


aPPenDiX 2 - table 1: net oVerseas Migration arriVals to ViCtoria: greeCe anD CyPrus CitiZenshiP by Migration streaM Visa for the finanCial years 2005-06 to 2012-13

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Familymigration

18# 19# 22# 13# 7# 16# 58# 118^

Temporary work(skilled–Visa457)

3# 10# 5# 5# 9# 10# 29# 129^

student Visa

3# 6# 3# 4# 3# 16# 116# 254^

bridging Visa

0# 0# 0# 3# 0# 16# 19# 25^

Other temporary Visas

66# 72# 56# 52# 83# 194# 593# 744^

Other non-program

14# 13# 14# 15# 5# 13# 13# -

special eligibility

0# 0# 0#0# 0# 0# 0# 0# <5^

working holiday maker(Cyprus)

- - - - 7* 14* 19* 51*

Total 104 120 95 92 114 279 847 1321

#Source:AustralianBureauofStatistics–NetOverseasMigrationData,CustomisedTable,Referenceperiod2005-06to2011-12

^Source:Dept.ofImmigration&BorderProtection–OverseasArrivalsandDeparturesdataset,5March2014

*Source:Dept.ofImmigration&BorderProtection–DirectextractfromOverseasArrivalsandDeparturesdataset,28Feb2014

For data obtained through the Australian bureau of statistics please note the following:

a) Cells in this tablehavebeen randomlyadjusted toavoid the releaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals

b) Thevisacategory information in this table represents thenumberof visasbasedon thevisa typeat the timeof thetraveller’sspecificmovement.ItisthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.ThereforethenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationwiththenumberofvisasgrantedbytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection

FordataobtainedfromtheDepartmentofImmigration&BorderProtectionwhereanumberinthetableisbetween1and4,

thenumberhasbeenmaskedwith<5forprivacyreasons

Greece and Cyprus (CountryofCitizenship)

Financial year

MiGrATiON sTreAM VISA


aPPenDiX 2 - table 2: net oVerseas Migration arriVals to ViCtoria: greeCe CitiZenshiP by Migration streaM Visa for the finanCial years 2005-06 to 2012-13

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Familymigration

18# 19# 22# 13# 7# 16# 58^ 111^


3# 10# <5^ 5^ 9# 10# 29* 111*

student Visa

3# 6# 3# 4# 3# 9# 111* 242*

bridging Visa

0# 0# 0# 3# 0# 16* 19* 25*


62# 60# 56# 52# 80# 168# 579# 679*

special eligibility

0# 0# 0# 0# 0# 0# 0# <5^

Other non-program

9# 13# 14# 9# 5# 9# 13# -

Total 95# 108 95# 81 104 309 809 1168





(a) Cellsinthistablehavebeenrandomlyadjustedtoavoidthereleaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals

(b) Thevisacategoryinformationinthistablerepresentsthenumberofvisasbasedonthevisatypeatthetimeofthetraveller’sspecificmovement.ItisthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.ThereforethenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationwiththenumberofvisasgrantedbytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection

FordataobtainedfromtheDepartmentofImmigration&BorderProtectionwhereanumberinthetableisbetween1and4,the

numberhasbeenmaskedwith<5forprivacyreasons

Greece (CountryofCitizenship)

Financial year



aPPenDiX 2 - table 3: net oVerseas Migration arriVals in ViCtoria: CyPrus CitiZenshiP by Migration streaM Visa for the finanCial years 2005-06 to 2012-13

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013^

Familymigration

<5^ 5^ <5^ 5^ <5^ <5^ <5^ 7^


<5^ <5^ <5^ 0^ <5^ 0# 0# 18*

student Visa

0# 0# 0# 0# <5* 7* 5* 12*

bridging Visa

0# 0# 0# 0# 0# 0 0# 0*


4# 12# 0# 0# 3# 26* 14* 65*

special eligibility

0# 0# 0# 0# 0# 0# 0# 0*

Other non-program

5# 0# 0# 6# 0# 4# 0# -

working holiday maker

-# -# -# -# 7* 14* 19* 51*

Total 9 17 0 6 10 51 38 153





a) Cellsinthistablehavebeenrandomlyadjustedtoavoidthereleaseofconfidentialdata.Discrepanciesmayoccurbetweensumsofthecomponentitemsandtotals

b) Thevisacategoryinformationinthistablerepresentsthenumberofvisasbasedonthevisatypeatthetimeofthetraveler’sspecificmovement.ITisthisspecificmovementthathasbeenusedtocalculatetheNetOverseasMigrationdata.ThereforethenumberofvisasinthistableshouldnotbeconfusedwithinformationwiththenumberofvisasgrantedbytheDepartmentofImmigrationandBorderProtection

FordataobtainedfromtheDepartmentofImmigration&BorderProtectionwhereanumberinthetableisbetween1and4,the

numberhasbeenmaskedwith<5forprivacyreasons.

Cyprus (CountryofCitizenship)

Financial year


78 the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia:OPPORTUNITIESANDCHALLENGES 79 the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia:OPPORTUNITIESANDCHALLENGES 79

Definitions:

Migration stream:Statisticalgroupingofpermanentarrivalsbasedontypeofvisa.(‘MigrationStream’isalsoknownas‘EligibilityCategory’).Thegroupsare:

1. family Migration:PersonswhohavearrivedinAustraliaunderthefamilystreamofthemigrationprogram.Thesearepeopleintendingtogetmarried,partners,children,parentsandotherfamilymemberswho havebeen sponsoredbya relativewho is anAustralian citizen, anAustralianpermanentresidentoraneligibleNewZealandcitizen.

2. temporary skilled visa holders:TemporaryWork(Skilled)subclass457visaholdersmostlyrecruitedbyAustraliancompanieswhosevisaisvalidforuptofouryears.

3. student visa holders: overseas studentswhoundertake full-time study in registeredcourses. Inthis report,StudentGuardian(subclass580)visaholdersare included in ‘other temporaryvisaholders’andTemporaryGraduate(subclass485)visaholdersarelistedasaseparatecategory,andnotinthe‘studentvisaholders’categoryasperthestudentvisastatisticsreport

4. bridging visa holders:non-citizenswhoareprovidedwithlawfulstatuswhiletheyhavebusinesswiththegovernmentorthecourtsregardingimmigrationmatters.

5. other temporary visa holders: includeholdersof other temporary visas suchasNew ZealandCitizen Family Relationships (non-New Zealand citizens who are family members of a NewZealandcitizen),social/cultural(Entertainment,Sport,VisitingAcademic,ReligiousWorker,etc),international relations (Diplomatic, Exchange, Domestic Worker, etc.), training (OccupationalTraineeandProfessionalDevelopment),StudentGuardianandtransitvisas.

6. special eligibility – Personswhoare formerAustralianpermanent residents, andpersonswhoservedintheAustralianArmedForcesbefore1981,returningtoAustraliapermanently.PriortoJuly2000thiscategoryalso includedformerAustraliancitizensandfamilyofNewZealandcitizens.‘SpecialEligibility’currentlyconsistsof‘FormerResident’visaonly.

7. other non-program – Primarily children born to Australian citizens overseas. This also includesresidentsofNorfolkIslandandpersonsgrantedAustraliancitizenshipoverseas.

8. working holiday maker visa holders: young adults from countries with reciprocal bilateralagreementswithAustraliawhoholidayinAustraliaandundertakeshort-termworkand/orstudyandwhoholdaWorkingHoliday(subclass417)orWorkandHoliday(subclass462)visa.

78 the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia:OPPORTUNITIESANDCHALLENGES 79 the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia:OPPORTUNITIESANDCHALLENGES 79

Greece (CountryofCitizenship)

Financial year

CATerGOry OF

TRAVELLER

aPPenDiX 3 - table 1: abs oVerseas arriVals & DePartures Data, CustoMiseD table – total arriVals in ViCtoria froM greeCe by Category of traVeller - finanCial year 2005-06 to 2012-13

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Visa020bridging b

0 0 0 0 0 0 20 10

Visa100spouse

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

V155return ClassB-5year resdnt return

0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0

Visa309 partner Provisional

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10

Visa415Foreign GovtAgency staff

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Visa416special Program

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa417working holiday

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa420 Entert.

30 10 60 30 30 50 40 100

Visa422Medical practitioner

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0w

Visa442 Occup. Trainee

0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa456(businessshortstay)

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Visa457Temporarywork (skilled)

30 10 0 10 20 0 10 50

Visa485TemporaryGraduate

0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0

Visa570 Indep. eliCOs sec

0 0 0 0 0 0 10 50

Visa571school sector

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


Visa572VocEduc&Trainingsector (VET)

0 0 0 10 0 0 10 30

Visa573higher education sector

0 10 0 20 0 0 0 10

Visa574 postgrad research sector

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa575 Non Award sector

0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0

Visa601ETA(Tourists&BusinessVisitors

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 270

Visa651(eVisitor)

0.0 0.0 0.0 140 310 400 480 380

Visa675&685(MedicalTreatment)

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Visa676Tourist (Shortstay

40 10 40 20 20 100 70 140

Visa679sponsored Family

10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa820spouse (extendedeligibility)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10

Visa942CrewTravelAuthority

0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0

Visa956&977(ElectronicTravelAuthority –BusinessEntrant)

100 200 150 130 80 80 160 150

Visa976(ElectronicTravelAuthority–visitorshortstay)

2090 1960 2110 1920 1910 1910 2590 1930

Visa995 Diplomatic (Temp)

20 10 10 0 0 20 0 0

VISA001unknown

30 30 10 10 0 0 0 0

Other 20 20 20 10 20 20 30 40

TotalShort-termvisitorarrival

2390 2280 2420 2320 2410 2590 3440 3190

(a)Toconfidentialiseestimateshavebeenroundedto thenearest10.Asa result, thesumof thecomponentsmaynotaddexactlytototals.


aPPenDiX 3 - table 2: abs oVerseas arriVals & DePartures Data, CustoMiseD table – total arriVals in ViCtoria froM CyPrus by Category of traVeller - finanCial year 2005-06 to 2012-13

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013

Visa020bridging b

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa100spouse

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

V155ReturnClassB-5year resdnt return

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa309partner (Provisional)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa415ForeignGovtAgency staff

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa416special Program

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa417working holiday

10 0 10 0 10 10 10 40

Visa420Entertainment

0 10 0 0 0 10 0 0

Visa422Medical practitioner

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa442Occupational Trainee

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa456(businessshortstay)

10 10 20 30 0 10 0 0

Visa457Temporarywork(skilled)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10

Visa485TemporaryGraduate

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa570independent eliCOs sector

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa571school sector

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa572VocEduc&Training sector (VET)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa573higher education sector

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Cyprus (CountryofCitizenship)

Financial year

CATerGOry OF

TRAVELLER


Visa574postgraduate research sector

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa575Non-Award sector

0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa601ETA(Tourists&BusinessVisitors

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa651(eVisitor)

0 0 0 240 500 600 480 380

Visa675&685(MedicalTreatment)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa676Tourist(Shortstay

500 480 480 230 50 50 60 70

Visa679sponsored Family

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa820spouse (extendedeligibility)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa942CrewTravelAuthority

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa956&977(ElectronicTravelAuthority –BusinessEntrant)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa976(ElectronicTravelAuthority–visitorshortstay)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Visa995Diplomatic(Temporary)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

VISA001unknown

10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 10

TotalShort-termvisitorarrival

620 510 510 500 560 680 550 510


aPPenDiX 4 - table 1: estiMateD* nuMber of offshore & onshore grants for 2005–06 to 2012-13 PrograM years for ViCtoria (inCluDes eVisa grants)

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013^

570ELICOSsector

– – – – – 3 48 82

571Schools/secondary ExchSector

– – – – – – <5 <5

572Vocationaleducation &Trainingsector

1 1 1 1 1 4 53 143

573Highereducation sector

1 4 1 2 1 1 7 10

574postgrad research sector

– – – – – – 1 3

575Non-Award

1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3

Foundation /Othersector

¬1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3

Total 3 6 3 4 3 9 111 242

* TheestimatednumberofOffshoreandOnshoreGrantsforVictoriaforeachVisatypewasextrapolatedbycalculatingthepercentageofthetotalnumberofstudentsarrivinginVictoriaforeachyearagainstthetotalnumberofstudentsarrivinginAustraliaforeachyearandthenapplyingthepercentagetoestimatethenumberofstudentsarrivingeachyearundereachvisatype.Forexample,thenumberofstudentvisasgrantedin2012-2013toGreeceCitizenstostudyinAustraliawas853,whilstthetotalnumberofGreekcitizensgrantedstudentvisastostudyinVictoriain2012/13was242,thereforethepercentagetotalforthosearrivinginVictoriawas28.4(i.e.,242(totalno.ofstudentVisasforVictoria)x100/853(totalno.ofstudentvisasforAustralia)=28.4percent.Thetotalno.ofELICOSvisasgrantedtoGreekcitizenstostudyinAustraliain2012/13was290.ThereforetheestimatednumberofELICOSvisasgrantedtoGreekcitizenstostudyinVictoriawas290x28.4/100=82.

ThevisacategoryinformationtocalculatethepercentageandthenumberarrivinginVictoriawasbasedondataprovided by the:

• AustralianBureauofStatisticsNetOverseasMigrationarrivalstoVictoria:Greececitizenshipbystudentvisasforthefinancialyears2005/06to2012/13(CustomtableprovidedtotheAustralianGreekWelfareSociety–SeeTable2–Appendix2);and

Departmentof Immigration&BorderProtectionOffshoreandOnshorefor2002005/06to2012/13ProgramYearsforAustralia(Source:Dept.of Immig&Citizenship,offshore&OnshoreGrants for2002-2003–2012-2013.Retrieved13January2014from

http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/study/_pdf/2012-13-offshore-onshore-combined-grants.pdf

Greece (PassportHeld)

Year(Offshore&Onshoregrants(includeseVisagrants)

Type OF sTudeNT VISA


aPPenDiX 4 - table 2: estiMateD * nuMber of offshore & onshore grants for 2005–06 to 2012-13 PrograM years for ViCtoria (inCluDes eVisa grants)

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013^

570ELICOS – – – – – 2 – –

571Schools/secondary Exch

– – – – – – – –

572VET – – – – – 1 – 7

573Highereducation

– – – – – 2 5 5

574postgrad research

– – – – – 1 – –

575Non-Award

– – – – – 2 – –

Total – – – – – 8 5 12

Total 3 6 3 4 3 9 111 242

Cyprus (PassportHeld)

Year(Offshore&Onshoregrants(includeseVisagrants)

Type OF sTudeNT VISA


Definitions:

Thereareseventypesofstudentvisa:

1. english language intensive Course for overseas students (eliCos) (subclass 570) visa.Thisvisaisforinternationalstudentsundertakingastand-aloneEnglishlanguagecoursethatleadstoacertificatelevelawardornon-formalaward.

2. schools (subclass 571) visa. This visa is designed for international students applying to studyinAustralia inaprimary, junior secondaryor senior secondary schoolcourseoranapprovedsecondaryschoolexchangeprogram.

3. Vocational education and training (subclass 572) visa. This visa is designed for internationalstudentsapplyingtostudyinAustraliaandwhosemaincourseofstudyisacertificate,vocationaleducation and training diploma, vocational education and training advanced diploma,vocationalgraduatecertificateorvocationalgraduatediploma.

4. higher education (subclass 573) visa.ThisvisaisdesignedforinternationalstudentsapplyingtostudyinAustraliaandwhosemaincourseofstudyisabachelordegree,associatedegree,highereducation diploma, higher education advanced diploma, graduate certificate, graduatediplomaorMastersbycoursework.

5. Postgraduate research (subclass 574) visa. Thisvisa isdesignedfor international studentswhowanttostudyaMaster’sdegreebyresearchoraDoctoraldegreeinAustralia.

6. non award (subclass 575) visa.ThisvisaisdesignedforinternationalstudentswhowanttostudynonawardfoundationstudiesorotherfulltimecoursesnotleadingtoanAustralianaward.

7. ausaiD or Defence sponsored (subclass 576) visa.ThisvisaisdesignedforinternationalstudentswhoaresponsoredbyAusAID(undertheAustraliaAwards)orDefencetostudyafull-timecourseofanytypeinAustralia.


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the Journey of new greek Migrants to australia: OppOrTuNiTies ANd ChAlleNGes pb

©AustralianGreekWelfareSociety,November2014

isbN 978-0-09941982-0-4

©australian Greek welfare society, november 2014

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Australian Greek Welfare society. requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Australian Greek Welfare society, 7 union street, brunswick, Victoria, 3056.



A reseArCh sTudy uNderTAkeN by The AusTrAliAN Greek WelfAre sOCieTy

Th

e Jou

rney

of n

ew G

reek M

iGra

nTs To

au

sTralia

: OppO

rTu

NiTies A

Nd

Ch

AlleN

Ges

the journey of new greek migrants to australia - pronia.com.au · 6 the journey of new greek...

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