It's Time to Back Australians Around the Globe

As countries around the world invest in diaspora engagement and implement global talent strategies, Global Australians says it's time to back Australians' global ambitions and unlock one of Australia's greatest competitive advantages: its people.

Global Australians Chief Executive Officer Kate McQuestin said Australia needed to move beyond outdated notions of brain drain and embrace a more modern approach centred on brain circulation.

"For too long, Australia has viewed the movement of talented Australians overseas through the lens of brain drain," McQuestin said. "In an interconnected world, that thinking belongs to another era."

"The world's most competitive nations understand that talent is not lost when it crosses a border. Talent, knowledge, networks and capital move in multiple directions. The countries that succeed are those that build the infrastructure, systems, partnerships and mindset to harness those flows."

"Nations such as Singapore, Ireland, Israel, India and New Zealand have spent years developing dedicated diaspora and global talent strategies because they recognise that talent, networks and international connectivity are strategic advantages. They are investing in their people because they understand the value this creates."

"The question now is whether Australia will choose to do the same, as competition for talent and capital intensifies and the pace of technological and economic change accelerates."

McQuestin says Australia is uniquely positioned to benefit from this approach. More than one million Australians currently live overseas, while a further four million have lived and worked abroad before returning home.  At the same time, Australia is one of the most diverse nations in the world with almost half of all Australians either born overseas or having at least one parent born overseas.

"Together, these experiences, relationships and connections create a powerful global network that links Australia to the world," McQuestin said. "They are built through family and heritage, through living, working and studying abroad, and through friendships, business relationships and loved ones around the globe. These connections represent far more than numbers. They are a national asset."

McQuestin said Australians continue to make an extraordinary impact globally, leading businesses, driving innovation, shaping public policy, attracting investment and contributing to some of the world's most competitive industries.

"Our diversity, global perspectives and international networks are strengths that help Australia engage with the world and compete internationally."

"Many Australians overseas want to remain connected. Many want to contribute. Many want to return home. Yet too often they face fragmented pathways, limited engagement and a lack of coordinated support."

Global Australians research shows 90% of Australians currently living overseas would like to return home at some stage, yet only 15% have a pathway to do so. At the same time, Australia continues to face workforce shortages across multiple sectors, with more than 330,000 jobs remaining unfilled.

Through Global Australians' Career Pathway Program, the organisation is currently seeing around 80 internationally experienced Australians each week actively seeking opportunities to contribute to Australia's future.

These professionals represent many of Australia's priority sectors, including technology and artificial intelligence, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, energy, infrastructure, education, professional services, advanced manufacturing and research.

"Those vacancies represent far more than empty positions," McQuestin said. "They represent businesses unable to grow, projects delayed, services constrained, innovation lost and economic opportunities left unrealised."

"With more than 330,000 jobs currently unfilled, Australia is potentially foregoing tens of billions of dollars in economic activity each year."

"Many of these Australians have built careers in some of the world's most competitive organisations and industries. They are senior executives, founders, researchers, investors, engineers, healthcare professionals, technologists, policy experts and board directors."

The desire to return is there. What many Australians overseas told us they need is a clearer pathway home.

“I want to come home, but it's difficult to secure a role while still overseas,” said one participant. Another reflected, “I've spent years building skills, experience and networks in international markets, yet when I look to return home, my global experience often seems to be seen as a barrier rather than an asset.”

Others spoke of the challenges of building networks remotely and accessing opportunities from abroad. As one candidate explained, “After years gaining experience overseas, I want to bring those skills back to Australia. What I need is a pathway that helps translate international experience into opportunities at home.”

McQuestin said the sentiment echoed during a range of discussions and forums with Australian leaders across business, government, investment, technology, media and the wider community in Singapore, London, New York and Sydney.  

"Australia must better connect, coordinate and mobilise its talent as a strategic national asset. Like other countries, Australia needs a more coordinated diaspora strategy and a clearer pathways between international experience and roles at home." 

"The strategic gap is clear. So is the opportunity."

"For generations, Australians have headed overseas and backed themselves on the global stage, gaining experience in the world's leading markets and industries, and brought that knowledge, ambition and connection home."

McQuestin said Global Australians had received bipartisan support from the Australian Government for more than two decades with that funding making up 90% of its income, but had operated without any support for the past two years.

"Since government funding concluded in 2023, our not-for-profit has continued to grow thanks to the support of leading Australian organisations, members, donors, volunteers and partners who recognise the value of a globally connected Australia."

"During that time, we have strengthened the organisation, expanded our reach, developed new programs and partnerships, and built practical pathways that connect Australians globally and help them contribute to Australia's future.  However, current demand is clearly outpacing capacity of our limited resources."

"The success of this work has attracted support from some of Australia's leading organisations and generated interest from foreign governments and international stakeholders who recognise the strategic value of Australian talent, expertise and global networks."

"Of course, our strong preference is for this capability to remain Australian, backed in Australia and scaled for Australia’s benefit. That is why we have sought ongoing support and partnership from the Australian Government through a matched funding model with government matching corporate support and donations because we believe this work is clearly in the national interest and aligned with Australia’s long-term economic, social and international priorities."

"We believe the case for support from our national government is even more compelling today. In an era of growing geopolitical uncertainty and intensifying global competition for talent, capital, investment and ideas, countries around the world are investing in their global communities because they understand the strategic advantage they provide."

In a response to Global Australians, the Assistant Foreign Minister, The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite acknowledged the important work of Global Australians and welcomed the initiatives developed, particularly the launch of the Career Pathway Program.

"We are currently constrained in our ability to fund many worthy causes. This is particularly so given the challenging international and domestic environment we are presently facing. Unfortunately, the Australian Government is not in a position to fund Global Australians work."

Ms McQuestin said the need for this work had never been greater and that the challenge was no longer proving the value of Australia's global community, but building the scale, partnerships and pathways needed to unlock its full potential in an increasingly competitive world.

"We believe it is time for Australia to take this seriously. This is not the time to step away from efforts to engage and mobilise our global community, but to strengthen them."

"We are deeply grateful to our partners, members and donors for backing our mission at this critical time and will embark on a fundraising effort in the absence of funding from the Australian Government. 

"This is not simply about Australians overseas. It is about Australia's future and our ability to compete in a world where talent, ideas, investment and influence move across borders faster than ever before."

"Every Australian living abroad, every Australian who has returned home, and every family, friendship, business and community connection that links Australia to the world represents an opportunity. An opportunity to create jobs, attract investment, accelerate innovation, strengthen industries, open doors and help future generations succeed."

“Australian talent reaches far beyond our borders, and our children should be encouraged to pursue opportunities wherever they may lead. The key is having the strategy and infrastructure to keep them connected to home, create clear pathways for their return, and ensure Australia benefits from their skills, experience and connections at every stage of their journey.”

"Countries around the world understand this and are investing in these networks because they understand their value. Australia has the talent. Australia has the connections. Australia has the opportunity. The question is whether we are prepared to collectively harness it."

"No single organisation, government or individual can unlock this opportunity alone. The strength of Australia's globally connected and diverse community has always come from Australians backing Australians - opening doors, sharing knowledge, creating opportunities and helping one another succeed. Together, we can better harness the skills, experience, perspectives and connections that make Australia stronger at home and abroad."

“That’s why I’m calling on everyone who believes in the power of Australian talent, ambition and global connection to stand with us in this mission.”

“In challenging and uncertain times, this work matters more than ever. Nations that harness their global talent will move faster, compete harder and deliver stronger outcomes at home. Those that do not risk falling behind.

"Now is the time to get involved and help unlock the full value of Australian talent for Australia's future."