In this episode, Majlinda Lulo, Australian Immigration Director at Absolute Immigration, joins The Working World podcast to unpack recent changes in the Australian immigration system. Drawing from her extensive experience in immigration law and policy, Majlinda discusses how these updates impact businesses, mobility professionals, and skilled workers. She provides valuable insights into the evolving visa landscape and shares actionable advice for navigating these changes effectively.

Majlinda delves into key reforms, such as the introduction of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, updates to occupation lists, and high-income thresholds. She also highlights the importance of tailored solutions like labour agreements and regional recruitment strategies in addressing industry skill shortages.

Insights into this episode include:

• Visa reforms and their implications: learn about the transition to the SID visa, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and the impact of these changes on talent recruitment.
• Labour agreements and regional recruitment: discover how labour agreements and Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) address skills shortages, especially in regional areas.
• Opportunities in high-income thresholds: understand how the $135,000 threshold creates new pathways for talent and streamlines visa processing.
• The National Innovation Visa: explore opportunities for global achievers in research, entrepreneurship, and the arts under the rebranded visa program.

Meet Majlinda Lulo

Majlinda Lulo joined Absolute Immigration in 2011 and has been instrumental in shaping their Australian visa delivery team. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Honours), a Graduate Diploma in Immigration Law and Practice, and ongoing studies in Law at the University of Sydney, Majlinda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

Her passion for delivering exceptional immigration solutions has defined her career. Majlinda leads with integrity, fostering a culture of transparency within her team while optimising immigration processes for efficiency and compliance. Her strategic vision enables businesses to navigate Australian immigration laws successfully, ensuring smooth talent mobility across borders.

In this episode, Benjamin Bader, a professor at Newcastle University and co-founder of Mastering GM, discusses the critical role of global mobility in today’s workforce and how professionals can effectively highlight its value. Drawing from his experience in expatriate management and HR, Benjamin explains the importance of aligning mobility strategies with business objectives to gain senior management support. He introduces the WAVE framework, offering a structured method to measure and communicate the impact of mobility programs.

Benjamin also addresses common challenges, including balancing day-to-day operations with strategic initiatives, and provides practical advice on overcoming these hurdles. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven decisions to demonstrate the success and necessity of mobility programs.

Insights into this episode include:   

• Demonstrating mobility value: Understand the importance of proving mobility program effectiveness through measurable data such as ROI and employee retention.
• The WAVE framework: Learn about Benjamin’s structured approach to managing global mobility, focused on improving adaptability, engagement, and workforce strategy.
• Challenges of operational focus: Gain insights on balancing operational tasks with long-term strategic goals within mobility programs.
• Mastering GM community: Access a network of professionals and resources to help demonstrate the value of mobility programs and share best practices.

Meet Benjamin Bader

Benjamin Bader is a professor at Newcastle University and co-founder of Mastering GM, specialising in International Human Resource Management. With extensive experience in global mobility and expatriate management, Benjamin understands the importance of aligning mobility programs with company strategies to reinforce their value.

In his work, he focuses on data-driven strategies that support talent development and enhance the impact of global mobility programs. Benjamin’s WAVE framework—Workforce, Adaptability, Value, Engagement—provides mobility professionals with clear metrics to demonstrate program success and gain senior management support. His commitment to practical, measurable approaches highlights the value of collaboration and using data to make a strong case for mobility in organisations.

Dive into the increasing cost of accommodation for mobility program owners and businesses in Australia, particularly in Victoria, with Jenni Hurst, Principal at Dovetailer. Jenni, an expert in the Global Mobility industry, shared her insights and experience relocating across four countries, emphasising the need for personalised care and strong real estate partnerships. 

The episode explores the factors driving up accommodation costs, such as land tax increases, supply and demand imbalances, and decreased household sizes due to remote work. It examines potential alternatives to traditional temporary accommodation, effective ways for employers to support relocating employees, and the challenges within the Australian rental market. Emphasis is placed on the importance of tailored and adaptable services in the mobility and relocation industry, involving relocation agents, and asking the right questions to ensure successful moves.  

Insights into this episode include:    

• Factors driving up accommodation costs: explore the impact of land tax increases, supply and demand imbalances, and decreased household sizes due to remote work on rental prices. 
• Alternative solutions to traditional accommodation: discover potential alternatives to the conventional 28-day temporary accommodations and how rental furniture can address long shipping delays. 
• Effective employer support for relocating employees: learn how employers can contribute to long-term rental costs, tailor relocation packages to individual needs, and discuss accommodation budgets with new hires early on. 
• Challenges in the rental market: understand the high demand and limited supply issues, the competitive and often unfair rental bidding processes, and the importance of preparation and paperwork. 
• Role of relocation agents: Gain insights on the advantages of using relocation agents for personalized services, ensuring clients are well-prepared and present as ideal tenants, and finding suitable housing options. 
• Innovation and collaboration: emphasize the need for innovative solutions in the accommodation industry and encourage open conversations with service providers to enhance relocation processes. 

Meet Jenni Hurst 

Jenni Hurst is the Principal at Dovetailer and an expert in the Global Mobility industry. With experience relocating across four countries, Jenni understands the need for personalized, compassionate care. 

At Dovetailer, she prioritizes individual client needs, leveraging her deep knowledge of destination cities and strong real estate partnerships. Jenni’s approach ensures smooth transitions and a welcoming environment for relocated employees. Her innovative strategies and commitment to the industry highlight the importance of collaboration and asking the right questions to make every relocation a success. 

Dive into the world of internships and the ever-shifting Australian employment landscape with Gerald Holland, CEO of InternMach, and Naren Chellappah, Program Director at Career Success Australia. In this episode, Gerald and Naren unpack the challenges and opportunities facing graduates and employers alike. 

The episode explores the importance of internships, the challenges of university-industry collaboration, and the skills employers are seeking in today’s market. Our guests also delve into the changing career landscape and the growing need for upskilling and professional development. 

Insights into this episode include:   

• Internships – a win-win for graduates and employers: discover how internships offer companies a valuable opportunity to identify and recruit future talent while assessing their fit within the company and how these programs equip students with practical experience, and ease the transition from theory to real-world work. 
• Building stronger university-industry collaboration: explore the challenges and potential solutions for universities and businesses to work more closely. Learn how universities integrating internships and fostering stronger communication channels can benefit students and companies. 
• The skills employers seek beyond the resume: find out what qualities like a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn stand out to employers. 
• Navigating the changing work landscape: gain insights on the growing need for career coaching and upskilling in a dynamic job market. This episode explores how individuals can adapt and thrive amidst career transitions and the skillset landscape. 

Meet Gerard Holland 

Gerard Holland is the visionary CEO of InternMatch and a tech entrepreneur driven by a commitment to equity and opportunity. He founded InternMatch to democratise access to employment opportunities, culminating in the creation of InternMatch International, a ground-breaking platform connecting students and graduates worldwide with internships. 

Gerard’s visionary leadership extends to co-authoring the Global Employment Challenge, aimed at placing one million unemployed graduates into internships globally. With a background in Chartered Accountancy and a Masters in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Gerard embodies a blend of financial acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Meet Naren Chellappah  

Naren Chellappah, is a distinguished Career Coach with a track record of guiding over 3,000 individuals to secure employment in Australia. His leadership roles at top universities like Monash, Swinburne, and Melbourne University attest to his expertise in the field. 

As Director of Top Graduates and Program Director at Career Success Australia, Naren specialises in providing tailored solutions for local and international graduates and skilled migrants navigating the Australian job market. His holistic approach encompasses resume optimisation, interview preparation, and networking strategies, ensuring job seekers have the tools to thrive in Australia’s competitive employment landscape. 

In this episode, Shumin Yeo, Director of Education and Growth at ATMA, and Steve Burson, Chairman of ATMA provided an overview of the Asian Talent Mobility Alliance (ATMA) and its mission.

ATMA, a non-profit organisation established during the COVID-19 pandemic, is committed to promoting the advancement of global mobility professionals in Asia. Dedicated to embracing diversity within the talent mobility trade, ATMA provides support and advocacy for its members throughout the region and aims to represent the interests of its members to governments across Asia, filling a gap left by existing trade organisations.

The organisation also focuses on building membership and advocating for the industry, offering unique insights and mentorship opportunities for mobility practitioners. Through mentorship, networking, and community learning initiatives, ATMA creates a platform for industry professionals to connect, learn, and advocate for their interests.

ATMA’s pillars:

ATMA supports the advancement of global mobility professionals in Asia through four main pillars:

·       Advocacy: ATMA works to influence mobility policies across Asia, engaging with governments to shape regional practices and strategies.

·       ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance): This pillar focuses on integrating ESG principles into the mobility industry, emphasising sustainability beyond just environmental factors.

·       Education: ATMA offers educational programs and a mentoring initiative to enhance the professional skills and knowledge of mobility practitioners in the region.

·       Events and Networking: Through various events, ATMA provides networking opportunities that enable professionals to exchange ideas and collaborate, strengthening the community and its collective expertise.

Meet Shumin Yeo

Shumin Yeo, Director of Education and Growth at ATMA and Senior Manager for Global Mobility at Micron Technology, is a seasoned professional with deep-rooted experience in HR management within the semiconductor industry. With a robust skill set encompassing HR data management, benefits administration, immigration services, and employee communications, Shumin has emerged as a trusted leader in her field.

Thriving in dynamic environments, Shumin has progressively assumed greater responsibilities, particularly in overseeing mobility programs across the Asia-Pacific region. Today, she leads Micron’s global mobility function, spearheading initiatives to enhance employee experiences and redefine the role of global mobility within the organisation. Honoured as the Rising Star of the Year in FEM EMMA America 2022, Shumin and her team have been awarded for their innovative talent mobility strategies and empowering women’s initiatives, solidifying her position as a strategic partner within the company.

Meet Steve Burson

Steve Burson, Chair of ATMA and CEO of Relo Network Asia, is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience in the relocation industry. Beginning as a Coordinator for International Relocations in Nagoya under the JET Program, Steve’s journey led him to explore translation and interpretation before discovering his true passion for working closely with people.

In 2003, he joined the H&R Group, immersing himself in the mobility industry and eventually spearheading the growth of Relo Japan alongside other senior executives.

Under Steve’s leadership, Relo Network Asia evolved into a fully comprehensive destination service provider operating across multiple Asian countries. His unwavering commitment to excellence and client satisfaction culminated in the acquisition of Relo Network Asia by the H&R Group in July 2016. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Managing Director in Singapore, where he continues to innovate and expand the company’s footprint in the region, ensuring seamless relocations and fostering the globalisation of Asia.