I've never been political in this space before. I think that maybe, unconsciously, it was because I (still) can't vote.
So, for a long time, I thought it didn’t matter what I thought, since there was little I could do.
But lately, I've been reflecting on all the ways I've contributed to Australian society and its economy since I arrived. I've paid for a (quite expensive!) Master's degree here and have continued investing in my professional development through local courses and training. I've been working and supporting myself since I came to Australia, paying my bills on time and diligently paying ALL my taxes. I've also volunteered my time to support different communities across Australia, through organisations beyond PMW.
And yet, after eight years of living, working and contributing to this country, I've discovered that when I've needed certain forms of government support, I haven't been eligible to access them.
I've done everything "right", and yet, sometimes, it still feels like my contributions count more than I do.
So, now, I'm getting political.
And while these are my personal experiences, they've made me think about the bigger picture.
Through my work at PMW, I've met countless migrant women who have invested in their education, built successful careers, started businesses and contributed so much to this country. And yet, many still face barriers to having their skills recognised, accessing opportunities and progressing into leadership.
So, it makes me wonder: Are we really recognising the full value of what migrant women bring to Australia?
And this is why this year's PMW anniversary event is particularly important to me.
Because I know my experience isn't unique. There are so many migrant women contributing to this country every single day, through our work, our taxes, our businesses, our families and our communities. And yet, our contributions are often overlooked, while the barriers we face remain largely invisible.
I don't want this to be another conversation where we simply acknowledge that these problems exist. I want us to start asking harder questions not only to ourselves, but to everyone around us about the systems that create them, who benefits from our contributions, and what needs to change.
And I want the people who have the power to influence those changes to be part of the conversation.
That's why we're bringing together migrant women, employers, leaders and allies for The Power We Bring, PMW's 7th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Because while we have plenty to celebrate after seven years, there's still important work ahead of us.
And even if I can't vote (yet), I still have a voice. And I intend to use it.
I hope you'll join us.
Best,
Lina
SPOTLIGHTING | Seven Years Later, Why Are We Still Having This Conversation?
Seven years ago, Professional Migrant Women was founded with a simple but important purpose: to increase the visibility and representation of migrant women in professional Australia.
Since then, we've built a community, created spaces for connection and career development, amplified women's voices, and contributed to research that brings their experiences into focus.
And yet, seven years later, we're still having conversations about migrant women being overlooked, their skills going unrecognised, and the barriers they face when trying to progress professionally.
So, what needs to change? And who needs to be part of that change?
This is exactly what we want to explore as we celebrate PMW's 7th anniversary.
On Thursday 5 November 2026, at the University of Melbourne, we're bringing together migrant women, business leaders, employers and allies for The Power We Bring: a conversation about the economic contribution of migrant women, the opportunities Australia is missing, and what we can do differently.
Because while we have plenty to celebrate, we also have important work ahead of us.
And we want you to be part of that conversation.
- Where: Melbourne University, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Building 158, Parkville VIC, Australia
- Cost: Varies
- Join us for PMW's 7th Anniversary Celebration The Power We Bring
What we've been up to
Guess Who's Blogging Again?
YES! We are! Our PMW blog is back! And we're giving it a bit of a new purpose.
You know those Ask the Recruiter sessions where our guest recruiters share insights, answer questions and give us a peek behind the hiring process?
Well, we've decided those learnings are too good to keep to ourselves!
Every fortnight, we'll be publishing a new blog post inspired by the conversations and insights shared during these sessions. Think practical career advice, recruitment insights and answers to questions many of us have probably wondered about.
We're kicking things off with AI Won't Replace You. It Will Change the Way You Work, exploring how AI is changing recruitment and what that means for professionals navigating today's job market.
And here's a little reminder: reading about what happens in Ask the Recruiter is great, but joining the sessions means you get to ask your own questions!
- Read our first blog post
- Keep an eye out for a new one every fortnight.
400 Women and Counting!
A little community milestone worth celebrating: we've reached 400 people in our PMW Level Up platform!
It's lovely to see our community growing across Australia. But here's a friendly reminder: this is YOUR space, so make it your own!
Share uplifting news, job opportunities, events or anything you think other migrant women in your city would find valuable. Use our Business Directory to discover and promote local women-led businesses. Introduce yourself, start conversations and connect with others!
Remember, these spaces become more valuable when we all contribute. So don't be shy!
And to make staying connected easier, we've put together a little guide to help you download the PMW Level Up app and keep your community in your pocket.
Haven't joined your city's free Community Space yet? We'd love to welcome you!
Join your City Space here:
Upcoming training and events
Sometimes, You Just Need to Be Around Women Who Get It
There's something special about being in a room full of migrant women who understand your experiences without needing much explanation.
That's what our Connection Circles meetups are all about. No awkward networking, no pressure to impress. Just genuine conversations, shared experiences, new friendships and, sometimes, opportunities you didn't even know you were looking for!
And none of this would be possible without our wonderful PMW City Ambassadors, who volunteer their time to bring these gatherings to life, welcome new faces and make sure everyone feels part of the community.
This month, we're getting together in three cities. So, if you're craving a little in-person connection, find your city below and come say hello!
Brisbane Connection Circle
Our Brisbane community is getting together again! Whether you're new to PMW or have joined us before, there's always room for another friendly face.
Sydney Connection Circle
A chance to step away from your routine, meet other migrant women in Sydney and enjoy conversations that go beyond the usual small talk.
Melbourne Connection Circle
Come for the conversations, stay for the connections (and maybe a new friend or two!). We'd love to see some familiar faces and welcome new ones.
WEBINAR | There's Still Time to Join This Conversation | Friday 23 October 2026 | 12noon AEDT
Have you ever caught yourself changing how you speak, holding back your opinions, or trying to fit into what you think is expected of you?
You're definitely not alone!
This month, our Brisbane Ambassador, Solange Lipcin, is joining us for In Conversations With... to share her journey from Argentina to Australia, and how she went from trying to soften her accent and presence to rediscovering her confidence, identity and voice through community leadership and her connection to tango.
It's a conversation about belonging, embracing our differences and finding the confidence to show up as ourselves, without feeling the need to fit into someone else's mould.
And making this conversation even more special, our amazing Sydney-based volunteer, Zhaleh, will be facilitating the session! We love seeing women from different cities come together to share their stories and create spaces for connection. š§”
- Where: This online event is held via Zoom. The access link will be send to you a day before the event.
- Cost: Free – limited spaces
- Bookings: online via Eventbrite
WEBINAR | Curious About Level Up? Come See What All the Fuss Is About | Wednesday 4 November 2026 | 6-6.45pm AEDT
Ever wondered what actually happens inside PMW Level Up? Or whether it's really for you?
Well, there's only one way to find out (okay, probably more than one, but this one's free!).
We're inviting you to a free virtual tour of our Level Up platform, hosted by none other than our wonderful CEO, Diana SantibaƱez!
She'll show you around, introduce you to the different spaces, resources, mentoring and career development opportunities available, and answer any questions you might have.
No pressure to join, no commitment. Just a chance to see what all the fuss is about and decide whether Level Up could be the community you've been looking for.
- Where: This online event is held via Zoom. The access link will be send to you a day before the event.
- Cost: Free – limited spaces
- Bookings: online via Eventbrite
What's new?
Getting Promoted Is One Thing. Being Able to Stay Is Another.
We've spent years talking about getting more women into leadership. But what happens once they get there?
A new report from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) and Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) reveals that while more women are progressing into management, many are also leaving these roles.
One important finding? Flexible work often becomes harder to access as women progress into leadership.
It raises an important question: Are we creating workplaces where women can not only reach leadership positions but actually thrive in them?
Something worth thinking about, particularly for those of us navigating career progression.
A New Chapter for Multicultural Victoria
Something important has changed in Victoria's multicultural sector!
On 1 October 2026, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Multicultural Affairs officially came together to form Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria (MMV).
The new organisation aims to strengthen the connection between community voices, government policies and funding decisions.
Why does this matter to us?
Because having a seat at the table is important, but ensuring our voices influence what happens at that table matters even more.
We're curious (and hopeful!) to see how this new chapter creates opportunities for multicultural communities to participate in decisions that affect them.
Community voices
This section is dedicated to amplifying the work, stories, events, achievements, and opportunities coming directly from our community.
At PMW, we believe we all grow stronger when we share the spotlight. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, launching a project, hosting an event, publishing a resource, or simply have something valuable to share, we'd love to help spread the word.
Have something you'd like featured in a future edition of Thriving Us?
RMIT Interpreting and Translation Scholarships
RMIT is offering scholarships for eligible applicants interested in pursuing qualifications in interpreting and translation. The scholarships aim to support the development of language professionals who help improve communication and access to services across Australia's multicultural communities.
RECOMMENDING | Book: Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung
To mark its 20th anniversary, a new edition of Alice Pung's acclaimed memoir was released in June 2026. Set in Melbourne, Unpolished Gem explores family, cultural identity, migration and growing up between two worlds through the experiences of a Chinese-Cambodian Australian family.
LISTENING | Podcast Recommendation: HerCapital Stories
Produced by Canberra Multicultural Service Radio, HerCapital Stories features 38 episodes sharing the professional journeys of multicultural, migrant and refugee women. The series explores leadership, career development, motherhood, cultural identity and experiences of workplace discrimination. The stories have also been brought together in a book.
KNOWING | Your Workplace Rights – Free Resource
The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free information about workplace rights in Australia, including pay, leave, employment conditions and dealing with workplace problems. Resources are available in more than 30 languages to help migrant workers understand their entitlements and access support when needed.
Connecting with PMW
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Professional Migrant Women (PWM)
Professional Migrant Women (PMW) would like to acknowledge that we stand in lands that have never been ceded. We pay our respect to the traditional custodians of the lands on which we are fortunate to live, love, work and thrive. We acknowledge diversity, advocate for inclusion and foster a sense of belonging.