A taxpayer-funded employment program for so-called skilled migrants has upset residents of Sydney, where years of out-of-control mass immigration has pushed up housing and rental prices while keeping wages low.
The program is run by the Crows Nest Centre, which is funded by federal, state government along with North Sydney Council, and offers “skilled migrants” a free eight-week workshop it says will give attendees “the confidence and techniques to apply for a job aligned to your profession”.
“Are you a skilled migrant? Having trouble getting the job you really want? Don’t give up!” states a poster advertising the program, which offers one-on-one coaching, weekly workshops, and resume and interview help.
Migration Watch Australia founder Jordan Knight shared a photo of the poster on X on Thursday with the caption: “Why do we have unemployed ‘skilled migrants’?
Why do we have unemployed ‘skilled migrants’? Why are taxpayers funding council programs to employ them? How does this benefit Australians?
Figuring out Australian immigration is just an unending series of questions that gets more absurd the further you look into it. pic.twitter.com/ChXavKShbG
— Jordan H Knight (@jhk_______) January 9, 2025
“Why are taxpayers funding council programs to employ them? How does this benefit Australians?
“Figuring out Australian immigration is just an unending series of questions that gets more absurd the further you look into it.”
Mr Knight’s concerns were echoed by dozens of commenters, many of whom pointed out that it exposed deep structural problems with Australia’s skilled migration program.
“Ethnic advocacy, plain and simple. Australians need not apply!” said Anglo-Celtic advocacy group the British Australian Community.
“A part of it is that a large proportion apply for an unsponsored skilled visa (a money making scheme imo) and then end up in Aus without a job,” wrote another X user.
“A lot of employers want ‘Aussie experience’ before they will appoint someone. This leaves a lot of them in limbo. How they come up with the skills shortage lists is anyone’s guess.”
“The government think they can stimulate their failing economy with immigration. The more it fails the more immigration they think they need. It’s that simple,” said another.
The Crows Nest Centre, a not-for-profit organisation, runs a number of other free programs for immigrants and refugees, including English conversation classes, homework help for primary school children, a Chinese seniors group, Bollywood music activities, and a Persian morning tea.
There are no equivalent employment programs for Australians listed on the centre’s website.
More than 1.4 million immigrants have been allowed into Australia since left-wing Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took office in May 2022, with most settling in Sydney and Melbourne.
Header image credit: Left (X), Right (Crows Nest Centre).
