Right now, more than one in every 67 people on the planet is displaced from their home due to conflict or crisis*. Many arrive in Australia after leaving behind respected professional lives – as engineers, doctors, teachers and community leaders – only to find that their skills and qualifications are overlooked by their new country.
Instead of contributing their full potential, refugees and people seeking asylum are too often sidelined into low-skilled jobs that waste their training. The cost is enormous: to individuals, who lose opportunities for dignity and security; and to Australia, which loses vital skills and experience at a time of critical shortages.
Breaking down barriers to opportunity
Recognising skills, realising potential
The Deakin Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (CREATE) is transforming how Australia supports refugees and people seeking asylum to access education and meaningful employment. CREATE helps highly qualified people find their place in Australia’s workforce – benefiting not only individuals and families, but also the communities and industries that need them most.
At the heart of this work are CREATE’s Career Clinics, connecting participants with expert facilitators, mentors and networks to re-enter professional fields or pursue further study. Nearly 1,000 people have been supported and over 400 volunteer mentors engaged. 70% of participants secure meaningful work or study within six months**.
Recognised internationally, CREATE’s model is already influencing practice in Canada and Germany. Yet traditional grant funding rarely meets the scale of need. Philanthropy allows CREATE to do what is most urgent and transformative.
Together, we can help thousands of people rebuild their lives and careers with dignity, purpose and hope.
Your support creates opportunity
Pathways to education and employment
Your support ensures refugees and people seeking asylum are not left on the sidelines, but empowered to contribute their skills, experience and leadership to Australia’s future.
With your generosity, we can:
- support students – helping refugee students succeed through the CREATE Impact Placement Fund
- expand Career Clinics – funding facilitators, student participation, materials and online access to reach more people
- grow what works – taking CREATE’s proven model to new communities in Australia and beyond.
Every gift helps unlock human potential. By supporting CREATE, you are not only transforming individual lives but also strengthening Australia’s workforce and enriching our communities.
For futures full of possibility
Every gift helps refugees and people seeking asylum rebuild their futures with dignity and purpose. With your support, CREATE can open doors to education, employment and belonging – ensuring talent is recognised, skills are valued and communities are enriched. Together, we can create futures full of possibility.
What's Next
*Source: Figures at a glance | UNHCR