Scalabrini marks PR milestone for migrant staff

Not-for-profit aged care organisation Scalabrini Communities has held an afternoon tea event this month in honour of over 70 staff it has supported to become permanent residents.

Their pathway to permanent residency was possible due to Scalabrini’s commitment to the federal governments labour agreement, which allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers if the local labour market and standard visa programs prove insufficient.

The celebratory afternoon tea was attended by scores of staff, family members and friends, along with Scalabrini Communities chief executive officer Richard de Haast and board members. Each staff member was presented with a “Belong” diary to journal their new life as Australian residents.

Belong is a Scalabrini program designed to transform the way aged care is delivered in Australia. It prioritises a person-centred approach and emphasises dignity, individual choice, and a strong sense of community for every resident.

In the past 18 months, Scalabrini sponsored over 90 team members, reflecting it’s alignment to the mission of the founder of the Scalabrini congregation John Baptist Scalabrini who created a religious order to provide pastoral care and support to migrants 140 years ago.

The organisation has also committed $750,000 to its sponsorship program for the 2024-2025 financial year.

This focus on making staff part of the organisation’s mission has had a positive effect on staff retention and culture, the organisation said, evidenced by a best workplace award for two consecutive years and the Change Champion Award as part of Maquarie University initiative The Voice Project.

Mr De Haast said: “By investing in our dedicated carers and healthcare professionals, we not only enrich their lives but also enhance the care provided to our older adults.

“This celebratory event serves as an affirmation of Scalabrini’s mission to support migrants and in doing so create supportive and inclusive workplaces where staff can thrive both personally and professionally.”

“Your stories of resilience and achievement are an inspiration to the entire Scalabrini community. It is a privilege to be able to positively impact your futures in this way and know that the benefits and opportunities will flow on into future generations of your family,” he added.

Staff overcome many hurdles

Many of the staff celebrated at the event have faced significant adversity in their efforts to build a future in Australia.

Scalabrini carer Ramila came to Australia from Nepal to support her husband, who despite being an accounting professional with dual masters’ degrees completed in Australia was struggling to gain permanent residency. Ramila planned to undertake a course to become a registered nurse, but her plans unravelled when she fell pregnant. Though she had nursing experience from Nepal, she could no longer pursue her studies and was running out of options to remain in the country. Scalabrini offered her a sponsored position as a carer, helping her and her family finally begin their life in Australia.

Manjit’s journey began 15 years ago when she moved from India to Australia with dreams of a brighter future. Over the years, she faced numerous challenges including changing visa conditions and shifting between careers to meet evolving requirements. She explored multiple professions, from accounting to nursing, each time hoping it would bring her closer to permanent residency. Eventually Manjit found her place in aged care as a cook – a role that filled a critical need at Scalabrini. And the introduction of the labour agreement finally gave her a pathway to apply for residency as a carer.

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