New research from Pearson reveals migrants are driving the Australian economy and way of life, and outpacing the national average when it comes to filling the country’s most critical sectors. Iranian-born Nadia Mofrad, one of the 3,000 Australian visa applicants in the study who have taken Pearson’s Test of English Academic (PTE) to pursue their ambitions, shares what the ‘Great Australian Dream’ means to her.
Nadia kayaking on Sydney Harbour
Standing in the queue at Macquarie University’s cafeteria in July 2018, a moment of truth loomed for student, Nadia Mofrad. She’d just arrived in Australia to start a new life, and while ‘G-day’ wasn’t exactly part of her vernacular, she knew that drumming up the courage to say ‘hello’ to a stranger would be an important first step in building a sense of connection to power her life.
Never short of courage, saying “hello” is exactly what Nadia did, and something she hasn’t stopped doing since to the 94,000 people who now follow her Australian migration journey on Instagram.
Although her life in Tehran was marked by significant achievement, Nadia realised the "harsh realities of injustice" at just 12-years-old during a physics competition.
"I had to compete in this tournament for weeks and weeks in a row. I put all my heart into it. But right when I was about to be announced as the winner, the principal of the other school talked to the judges and changed the results to favour my competitor. That injustice, in that moment, made me feel like my future might be somewhere else.”
Nadia outside Parliament House, Canberra March 21
A Mechanical Engineering degree, Masters in International Business and an MBA later, Nadia is a successful marketing manager for a childcare group in Sydney, inspiring others with her story of persistence and integration.
Nadia’s is just one of the 3,000 Pearson Test of English test takers surveyed in Pearson’s white paper, Australian Dreams: Stories from International Students and Migrants Powering Australia's Prosperity.
The test takers reported higher salaries and employment outcomes, including earning an additional $20,000 per annum to the median Australian salary six months after arriving in Australia.
VP Global Stakeholder Relations PTE, Sasha Hampson added: "Our data showed that we had significantly more people who were in age and disability care; and in nursing; and highly skilled areas like IT programming. People that were taking the Pearson Test of English went on to achieve permanent residency in Australia. They went on to graduate from our universities as talented individuals and 91% had secured employment. These individuals are meeting the threshold and are then going on to make that positive contribution.”
Nadia and Skills and Training Minister Brendan O'Connor
Sasha joined Nadia at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia to launch the white paper with Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O'Connor, who praised Pearson for its valuable contribution to the migration system, as well as the international education sector, Australia's fourth largest export market.
Nadia moved the audience with her story. "Quite often, people stop me in the streets and tell me they picked Australia as their destination because my Instagram inspired them," said Nadia.
Other findings in the white paper include:
- 71% of respondents plan to buy a home in Australia
- 89% want to contribute to the community
- More than 1 in 10 are volunteering
- 9 out of 10 recommend Australia to others
- 50% aspire to start their own business in Australia
- 72% are employed in skilled professions
- 84% have built community connections
"When I read some of the key findings of Pearson’s White Paper, it's like the findings are about me, yet I know I am just one of the 3,000 people interviewed for the report," Nadia said.
"It is fascinating how all of us with all those different backgrounds share many common feelings about Australia.
"For me and 2999 others interviewed for this report, Australia is the land of freedom, opportunity, and equality. If I could go back, I would hug 12-year-old Nadia and tell her thank you; your wish, to dream big, has paid off."
- Read media coverage of the report launch and more about Nadia's story.
- Download the fact sheet to see the report highlights.