Single, lost and desperate, Harsimran turned to an 'employment mentor'

Single mother Harsimran, a domestic violence survivor who arrived in Australia from India, faced significant challenges finding employment after moving to Melbourne in 2023. "At first I was struggling," she told ABC News. "As a single parent and a new person of a new country, it is very difficult. And at that time, my English is also not good." Harsimran lacked formal qualifications and family support, living in a shared house with her teenage son. She felt lost and uncertain about her future. However, assistance from AMES Australia, a government-funded agency supporting migrants, provided a crucial turning point. AMES assigned Harsimran an employment mentor who helped her obtain a driver's license, enroll in English lessons, and secure an interest-free loan for a car. This support enabled her to find work as a cleaner, and her strong work ethic led to a promotion to a production role. Specialist providers hope that more jobseekers like Harsimran, who face unique barriers, will receive similar "tailored" support under Australia's revamped employment services system, Workforce Australia. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth stated, "We are determined to get more Australians into work and to do that we need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to employment." Eric Harper, executive general manager for service delivery at Settlement Services International, noted that refugees and culturally and linguistically diverse communities have long advocated for a more personalized approach. He believes the new system, which offers tiered support based on individual needs, could bring "tremendous benefits" by improving productivity and leading to other positive outcomes.

“

At first I was struggling. As a single parent and a new person of a new country, it is very difficult. And at that time, my English is also not good.