The Albanese Government is helping humanitarian migrants get into work sooner, announcing the extension of the successful Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) program.
The EPRI program shortens the time between refugees arriving in Australia and entering the job market by providing grants to social enterprises with a proven track record of achieving economic participation outcomes for refugees.
These social enterprises provide wrap around support and employment pathways for humanitarian migrants, allowing them to start earning money and participating in the wider community sooner than they would have without tailored support.
The program operates nationwide, with a focus on job markets with a high concentration of refugee and humanitarian job seekers with lower English skills.
Supporting people into work more quickly benefits individuals, families and the community as workers pay tax, create jobs and improve overall settlement outcomes.
As a result of a successful two-year pilot, and in recognition of the programs cost-effectiveness, the Government is extending EPRI program funding for an additional 12 months, to 30 June 2026.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill
"This 12-month extension recognises the success of the EPRI program pilot, which supported hundreds of refugees to gain employment or build their own successful businesses in just two years.
"Investing in social enterprises with local labour market knowledge is proven to help refugees, and other jobseekers who may need extra help, enter the job market sooner.
"This investment reinforces the Albanese Government's commitment to supporting evidence-based initiatives that get newly arrived Australians into work and connecting with the community sooner."
Quotes attributable to executive chair and co-founder Thrive Refugee Enterprise, Huy Truong
"It's terrific news the government is extending the EPRI program for another year to enable more refugees to productively participate in the Australian economy.
"The evidence shows overwhelmingly that refugees who start a small business or gain employment settle and integrate into Australian society far more successfully.
"In the first 2 years of the EPRI grant, Thrive Refugee Enterprise has provided small business information to over 4,000 refugees, had 1:1 consultations with 920 refugees and created 215 small businesses so far. More broadly, the EPRI grant provides social enterprises like Thrive to engage with the private sector, philanthropy and other social entrepreneurs to develop necessary partnerships and solutions. EPRI is effective in that it's both catalytic and generates substantial outcomes."
