This week VETASESS hosted its annual Allyship Conference, bringing together leading voices from across Australia’s migration landscape. This year Allyship included the issues and voices of skilled migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
Allyship created a platform for open dialogue, sharing of lived experiences, and cross-sector collaboration. Attendees included a diverse group of migrants, policymakers, industry leaders, community advocates, and academics — united by a shared commitment to building a more inclusive, future-ready workforce and equitable community.
The conference featured a powerful lineup of speakers who shared insights on the challenges and opportunities within the migrant journey including:
- Molina Asthana – National Chair for Sport, Art and Culture, Australia India Business Council
- Sharan Burrow AC – Board Chair, Bendigo Kangan Institute
- Dr Mamta Chauhan – Executive Director VETASSESS - Bendigo Kangan Institute
- Jana Favero – Deputy CEO, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
- Brett Galt-Smith – Manager Stakeholder and Government Relations, Bendigo Kangan Institute
- Wurundjeri Elder Tony Garvey – Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Betsy Gregg – Director, Operations, Australian Computer Society
- Caroline Hartnett – Director, International Education and Study Melbourne, Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills Industry and Regions
- Tim Kane – Lead, Skilled & Engaged Workforce, Committee for Economic Development of Australia
- Damien Kilner – First Assistant Secretary - Citizenship, Humanitarian, Family Visa Programs and Support, Department of Home Affairs
- Megan Lilly – Deputy Commissioner, Jobs & Skills Australia
- Vivienne Nguyen AM – Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission
- Timi Onduku-Pedley – Lawyer
- Liam O’Brien – Assistant Secretary, Skills & VET, ACTU
- Dr Sushil Kumar – Consul General of India, Melbourne
- Craig Robertson – CEO, Victorian Skills Authority and Head of VET Qualifications Reform Design Group - Chair
- Reuben Saul – President, Migration Institute of Australia
- Mursal Sadat – Advocate, Athlete, Storyteller, Public Speaker, and Community Leader
- Martin Stokie – Commissioner, Australian Government Productivity Commission
- Innes Willox AM – CEO, Australian Industry Group
Contributions of speakers and guests alike sparked thoughtful conversations around allyship, policy reform, and the role of industry in shaping a more equitable migration system.
The event underscored the importance of listening to lived experience and leveraging collective knowledge to inform policy development and systemic change.
As an organisation, we’re proud to have convened this important conversation — and we remain committed to fostering collaboration and leadership in this space.
Sally Curtain, CEO of Bendigo Kangan Institute:
“Australia’s future workforce depends on how well we support skilled migrants and others who settle with us from overseas. This conference brought experts and industry to the table, not just to listen, but to lead.”
“It’s through collaboration like this that we build stronger, more inclusive systems for the benefit of our workforce, productivity and communities.”
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