New digital toolkit to unlock untapped potential of migrant workforce

Australian employers are being offered a vital new resource to help them build more culturally inclusive and productive workplaces, with the national launch of a free online “Employer Toolbox”.

Workplaces that embrace cultural diversity are not only more inclusive, they’re often more successful. While many employers understand the benefits, the hiring process can be hard to navigate.

A new free online resource is helping employers confidently recruit from an under-utilised pool of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) workers.

Developed by workforce inclusion specialists Community Corporate and commissioned by the Federal Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, the ‘Hiring Manager’s Toolbox: Attracting and Retaining Refugee and Migrant Talent’ provides practical tools for building more inclusive and equitable recruitment practices.

Community Corporate CEO and Founder Carmen Garcia AM says the resource offers a practical solution for businesses looking to strengthen their cross-cultural capability.

“The reality is employers of all sizes are struggling to meet workforce needs,” Garcia said.

“Many have turned to alternative and innovative pathways to find workers and fill jobs, but many still report facing barriers in navigating the opportunities to hire migrants and refugees, like the visa web.

“Our new toolbox is designed to help bust myths and make it easier for employers to access this pool of talent.”

Qantas Lounge/Accor: Bibi Zahra. Photo: Community Corporate

Australia is a majority migrant nation, with one in every two Australians either born overseas or having a parent who was.

As of March 2025, more than 123,000 CALD individuals are registered with Workforce Australia and remain on income support, despite many being ready and eager to work. This highlights a significant, yet often overlooked, talent pool that could help address ongoing workforce shortages.

In recent years, Australian businesses have placed greater emphasis not just on diversity, but on creating culturally inclusive workplaces where all employees feel supported.

Refugees and migrants bring valuable perspectives, skills, and experiences that can help businesses broaden their customer base and supply chains.

Inclusive workplaces see benefits such as higher retention, lower absenteeism, and greater employee engagement. They help businesses meet workforce demands, reach new markets, and drive innovation and productivity.

In today’s competitive job market, inclusive hiring strengthens a company’s reputation, boosts its social responsibility credentials, and increases its appeal to current and future employees.

The Hiring Manager’s Toolbox enables the focus on diversity and the benefits that come with it, by helping businesses adopt more inclusive and equitable recruitment practices with confidence. 

The open-access resource offers a concise set of videos, checklists, and tools to demystify inclusive recruitment and outline a clear road map. 

It provides practical advice on topics such as unconscious bias, effective communication, and cultural awareness designed to boost confidence and capability among hiring teams.

In addition to the toolbox, Community Corporate is delivering free workshops and training sessions across the country to support businesses in building more welcoming and culturally competent workplaces. Retail employers can also access subsidised pilot programs to trial new hiring models.

IKEA Australia is one of several major employers that have partnered with Community Corporate to strengthen their inclusive hiring strategies.

The partnership began five years ago with a pilot refugee employment program involving just 10 participants in an eight-week paid placement. It has since evolved into a long-term employment pathway, providing secure jobs to refugees and asylum seekers from diverse cultural backgrounds. 

Carmen Garcia (CEO Community Corporate). Left to Right: Jina Eskifeh (program participant), Harriet Pope (IKEA Refugee Workforce Inclusion Leader), Heba Khalil (program participant) and Heak Lim (GM Community Corporate) Photo: Community Corporate

Today, IKEA’s Refugee Workforce Inclusion Program supports 250 participants, representing 23 cultures and speaking 43 different languages.

“All have incredible transferrable skills desirable for any employer — all they needed was a chance to demonstrate their capability,” said Harriet Pope, Refugee Workforce Inclusion Program Leader at IKEA Australia.

“Through this values-based investment, IKEA has been able to access a new talent pipeline of motivated and adaptable team members which is a real advantage in a tight labour market.”

Pope says the Hiring Manager’s Toolbox will make it easier for other businesses to take their first step.

“This toolbox will support employers to unlock the many benefits of hiring people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, and we hope to see many more employers taking action with this new support tool.

“We absolutely encourage all businesses to start taking action, or further existing commitments to inclusion in their hiring strategies.”

Find out more on the Community Corporate website to register for the new Hiring Manager’s Toolbox.