Migrant entrepreneurship is a big weapon for Australian business

Proponents of high migration rates say it adds to Australia’s skill base, offsets the effects of an ageing population and lower workforce participation, and boosts the economy.

Detractors say high migration reduces quality of life by adding to population growth, pressuring infrastructure in big cities and anecdotally taking jobs from locals.

Rarely is small business or entrepreneurship considered in the migration debate. Or Australia’s multiculturalism promoted as one of our start-up community’s great competitive strengths.

We don’t do nearly enough to raise awareness of migrant and refugee entrepeneurship in Australia, encourage people from other countries to start ventures here, or help them develop skills to build wealth for themselves and the community through self-employment.

Consider the global perspective. If Australia wants to become one the world’s great innovation ecosystems, it must attract foreign entrepreneurs and foreign capital. Our success with multiculturalism, potentially a selling point, seems to be downplayed or neglected in entrepreneurship discussions and the need to target global markets. Read more