As countries around the world invest in diaspora engagement and implement global talent strategies, Global Australians is calling for national leadership and action to 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Global Australians Chief Executive Officer Kate McQuestin said Australia needed to move beyond outdated notions of brain drain and embrace a more modern approach centred on brain circulation.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," Ms 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 systems, partnerships and mindset to harness those flows."
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," Ms 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."
Ms 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. Countries including Ireland, Singapore, Israel and New Zealand have spent years building dedicated diaspora and global talent strategies because they recognise that talent, networks and international connectivity are strategic advantages."
"They are backing their people because they understand the value it creates. The question is whether Australia will do the same."
"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 95% 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 350,000 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," Ms McQuestin said. "They represent businesses unable to grow, projects delayed, services constrained, innovation lost and economic opportunities left unrealised."
"With more than 350,000 jobs currently unfilled, Australia is potentially foregoing tens of billions of dollars in economic activity each year. At the same time, we are seeing around 80 internationally experienced Australians every week actively seeking pathways to contribute their skills, expertise and global networks back to Australia."
"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 strategic gap is clear. So is the opportunity."
Ms McQuestin said Global Australians had received bipartisan support from the Australian Government for more than two decades.
"Since government funding concluded in 2023, our not-for-profit has continued to grow through the support of leading Australian organisations, members, donors, volunteers and partners who recognise the value of a globally connected Australia.
"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.
"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.
"Obviously, our preference is that this capability remains Australian, supported 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 corporate support and donations, because we believe this work is firmly in the national interest and aligned with Australia's long-term economic, social and international priorities.
"We believe the strategic rationale for that support is even more compelling today. At a time 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 recognise the strategic advantage they provide."
In a response to Global Australians, the Assistant Foreign Minister, The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite said:
"I acknowledge the important work of Global Australians and welcome the initiatives you have developed to expand your international reach, including the Global Australians Awards and 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 your work."
Ms McQuestin said the need for this work had never been greater.
"We are deeply grateful to our partners, members and donors for backing our mission at this critical time. 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."
"Countries around the world 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."
"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."
"In the absence of ongoing government support, we will introduce membership contributions for the Community Connect Platform and the programs it enables. These contributions are essential to help cover costs and ensure Global Australians can continue to operate and deliver its work.
"They will help us deliver programs that celebrate Australian achievement through the Global Australian Awards, support the next generation through mentoring, connect Australians globally through our Community Connect Platform, and help internationally experienced Australians return home through the Career Pathway Program.
"We invite everyone who believes in the power of Australian talent, ambition and connection to join us in this mission. Whether you are living overseas, have returned home, are building your career, leading an organisation, mentoring others or simply want to stay connected, there is a role for you to play."
"Built by its members, supported by its members and operated for the benefit of its members, Global Australians exists to connect Australians globally, unlock opportunities and ensure Australia benefits from the full strength of its people and their connections around the world."
"We believe Australia's greatest competitive advantage is its people. And if we want to remain competitive in the decades ahead, we must do more to connect, support and back Australians around the globe."
"This is not the time to retreat from the infrastructure, relationships and networks that connect Australia to the world. It is the time to invest in them, strengthen them and ensure Australia benefits from the full power of its global community."
"Because when Australians back Australians, extraordinary things happen. And when we connect the millions of people who link Australia to the world, we all go further together," Ms McQuestin said.