Introduction

Australia has been, and always will be, known as a multicultural society. Australia aims to be tolerant of the diversity produced by its immigration program, but there are many obstacles to be faced by migrants seeking to integrate into Australian society, particularly for those of refugee status. The centre for Multicultural Interests (2005) defines a refugee as: “Someone who has been forced to leave their country of origin and is unable or unwilling to return due to fear of persecution for reasons including race, religion, nationality or political opinion”.5. The issues and obstacles faced by refugees seeking to integrate into Australian society, and the potential solutions to alleviate if not solve said problems, will be examined in this paper.

Discrimination and Employment

Discrimination is a major obstacle in refugees’ integration into Australian society, and is most evident when related to difficulties faced within the employment and careers sector. “Refugees to Australia, despite high levels of work-relevant skills, and despite legislation designed to eliminate discrimination, experience both personal and institutional discrimination in the employment market”7.

The fundamental barrier in achieving this is language difficulties. Perceptions created by having English as a second, third, sometimes even fourth language can lead to racial discrimination, often due to differences in accent or accustomed way of speaking. This creates problems when seeking employment and may result in inappropriate workplace behaviour by colleagues or clients. The barriers considered most significant as well as most frequently encountered when seeking employment for refugees include; non-recognition of qualifications, lack of local referees, accent and language ability, stereotyping, and inappropriate workplace practices which stigmatized particular ethnic groups or individuals11.

Acculturation

Refugees arriving in Australia are faced with the challenges of acculturation13.

Newly arrived refugees are presented with the challenge of adjusting to a completely different culture, language and value system during resettlement, often while coping with the effects of past trauma.15

It has been found that younger persons often find it easier to adapt to cultural practices and learn new languages faster. Many African refugees are accustomed to pastoral, communal environments, but are forced into the urban, individualistic environment of Australia17 Potential solutions to these issues, in order to improve the process of acculturation and decrease the levels of discrimination and racism will be examined later.

Access to Services

Aside from general language difficulties, it has been shown that refugees face further barriers to integration within Australian society when their knowledge about access to community services and legal education is insufficient or entirely lacking. Refugees from places whether the legal system has broken down, or from a heavily militarized country, or where the law has been used to oppress people, have no idea of their rights in Australia.20 The assistance provided by those with experience and knowledge of refugees and the difficulties they face (in acculturation) can be of considerable benefit and support.

Potential Solutions

There are a number of solutions that are potentially available to alleviate or otherwise remove the obstacles faced by refugees seeking to integrate into Australian society. Some examples include the importance of social support networks, and the potential benefits of programmes that actively promote refugee participation in Australian life. Social support is a significant, positive factor for refugees and affects their well-being. Commins (1996) has argued that intimacy is the most significant determinant of quality of life, and community and safety are also important in making the world meaningful and manageable.22

Further, there is potential for an increase in community resources, activities and programs that positively promote refugees adaptation into life in Australian communities and society. Such programs could include organized social events to encourage the widening of social networks, one-on-one mentoring systems, and the creation of special interest clubs designed to improve members English skills outside of a traditional learning environment. Other examples for assisting refugees, particularly in breaking into the workforce, include job schemes and job networks, which would also ‘prevent them from becoming lonely and ‘stressed”23.

Conclusion

It is easy to forget that someone who is a refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country of origin, and is unable or unwilling to return, for various reasons. These individuals have suffered loss and displacement to some degree, and for whatever reason, are required to re-build their lives in a foreign country. Refugees, when seeking to integrate into Australian society, face a number of obstacles. Primarily there are language difficulties, for English is often a second, third, or even fourth language. This alone can create instances of discrimination, which in turn creates difficulties in economic participation necessary for self-reliance, increased self-esteem, and an overall sustainable community. The process of adopting what is often an entirely foreign culture, putting aside the fundamental differences in language alone, can create a number of problems. For example, refugees would not be aware of their humanitarian or legal rights within Australia, and further, unaware of their ability to access legal assistance and education. There are difficulties in accessing adequate health care due to cultural and language barriers, financial constraints and problems with finding a health care provider who understands the complex health needs and concerns of refugees24. It could even be said that settlement in Australia requires knowledge of how to access government services that provide aid and assistance. A simple solution to this problem which could be implemented is a programme for community education, both at the provider and client level. Programmes to support education and training for refugees, and increased recognition for previous skills, qualifications and experience (either in their country of origin or en route to Australia) would be of considerable benefit to both refugees (in creating wage equality) and in improving the skills shortage currently experienced. Programmes to increase social support networks, (as intimacy and friendship are one of the primary factors into helping refugees feel a part of the community), such as social activities or organized social events (eg sports), the creation of special interest clubs, and increased access to education on learning the English language, particularly outside the traditional learning environment, would be of great benefit and a positive start to adressing the problems faced by refugees. Alternatively, increased education for the whole community about the differences between the life experiences of refugees, as well as (aiming to ) improving understanding of religious and cultural differences, may be beneficial. Overall, despite Australia’s record for being one of the safest, most amenable countries to refugees and other migrants, there are still a number of considerable obstacles they face, and solutions to implement to address those obstacles.

1(Hancock, McMeeking and Bahn 2008 p.4), as quoted in Peter Hancock, ‘ Recent African Refugees to Australia: Analysis of Current Refugee Services, a Case Study from Western Australia’, International Journal of Psychological Studies, vol.1(2), 2009.

2Peter Schaeffer, ‘Refugees: On the Economics of Political Migration’, International Migration, vol. 48 (1), 2009.

3Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

4(Rousseau et al., 1998), as quoted in Jake Shakespeare-Finch, Kylie Wickham, ‘Adaption of Sudanese Refugees in Australian Context: Investigating Helps and Hindrances’, International Migration, vol 48 (1), 2009.

5As above.

6(Tilburg and Colic-Peisher, 2006) as quoted in Peter Hancock, ‘ Recent African Refugees to Australia: Analysis of Current Refugee Services, a Case Study from Western Australia’, International Journal of Psychological Studies, vol.1(2), 2009.

7(Dunlop 2005; Vatonen 1999) as quoted in Brooke McDonald-Wilmsen, Sandra M Gifford et al., ‘Resettling Refugees in Rural and Regional Australia: Learning from recent Policy and Program Initiatives’, The Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol. 68 (1), pp 97-11.

8As above.

9Jake Shakespeare-Finch, Kylie Wickham, ‘Adaption of Sudanese Refugees in Australian Context: Investigating Helps and Hindrances’, International Migration, vol 48 (1), 2009.

10Faridar Fozdar and Silvia Torezoni, ‘Discrimination and Well-Being: Perceptions of Refugees in Western Australia’, International Migration Review, vol. 42 (30), 2008.

11(McSpadden, 1987; Vatonen, 1999; 2004; Rudgren 2004) as quoted in above article.

12(Muhwezi and Sam, 2004) as quoted in Jake Shakespeare-Finch, Kylie Wickham, ‘Adaption of Sudanese Refugees in Australian Context: Investigating Helps and Hindrances’, International Migration, vol 48 (1), 2009.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acculturation

14(DIAC, 2007b; Mitchell, Kaplan & Crane, 2006; Waltman 1999) as quoted in Peter Hancock, ‘ Recent African Refugees to Australia: Analysis of Current Refugee Services, a Case Study from Western Australia’, International Journal of Psychological Studies, vol.1(2), 2009.

15(Berry et al., Organista et al., 1992) as quoted in Jake Shakespeare-Finch, Kylie Wickham, ‘Adaption of Sudanese Refugees in Australian Context: Investigating Helps and Hindrances’, International Migration, vol 48 (1), 2009.

16(Mitchell, Kaplan & Crane, 2006) as quoted in Peter Hancock, ‘ Recent African Refugees to Australia: Analysis of Current Refugee Services, a Case Study from Western Australia’, International Journal of Psychological Studies, vol.1(2), 2009.

17Harrell, as quoted in Faridar Fozdar and Silvia Torezoni, ‘Discrimination and Well-Being: Perceptions of Refugees in Western Australia’, International Migration Review, vol. 42 (30), 2008.

18Anne Susskind, ‘Refugees learn the law is on their side in a new land’, Law Society Journal, vol. 48(2), 2010, pp 20-22.

19As above, pp 20.

20As above, pp 22.

21Faridar Fozdar and Silvia Torezoni, ‘Discrimination and Well-Being: Perceptions of Refugees in Western Australia’, International Migration Review, vol. 42 (30), 2008.

22(Benson, 1990) as quoted in Brooke McDonald-Wilmsen, Sandra M Gifford et al., ‘Resettling Refugees in Rural and Regional Australia: Learning from recent Policy and Program Initiatives’, The Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol. 68 (1), pp 97-11.

23Jake Shakespeare-Finch, Kylie Wickham, ‘Adaption of Sudanese Refugees in Australian Context: Investigating Helps and Hindrances’, International Migration, vol 48 (1), 2009.

24(Davidson et al., 2004: Tiang et al., 2006; DIAC, 2007b), as quoted in Peter Hancock, ‘ Recent African Refugees to Australia: Analysis of Current Refugee Services, a Case Study from Western Australia’, International Journal of Psychological Studies, vol.1(2), 2009.