Challenging the unspoken hiring practices in Australia

Australia’s job market is filled with capable individuals ready to contribute. Yet many job seekers are being overlooked because of entrenched and outdated hiring practices, not a lack of skills. This is the core insight from WorkPro’s recent whitepaper, “Challenging the Unspoken Hiring Practices in Australia,” based on a survey of over 2,000 job seekers.

The findings paint a clear picture of widespread frustration. Only 13.1% of new arrivals said their experience was recognised and they were considered for relevant roles.

Even among Australian-born candidates, 42.2% reported that their qualifications were not acknowledged for roles they were clearly suited for.

Meanwhile, 37.7% said their transferable skills were dismissed, and 40.3% were told they were overqualified.

Most concerning, over 50% of Australian-born job seekers said they received no feedback after applying.

These figures challenge the assumption that hiring in Australia is purely merit-based. Instead, they reveal a process heavily influenced by perception, familiarity, and ‘local experience’, a concept 38 4% of Australianborn candidates still struggle with, despite being native to the market.

This data highlights a critical issue: current hiring models often fail to recognise and act on available talent, despite the depth of skills in the market.

Whether it’s due to outdated screening tools, overly rigid job criteria, or a reliance on networks and internal referrals, many employers are unintentionally closing the door on qualified individuals WorkPro’s platform is designed to help businesses move past these roadblocks.

By centralising background checks, credentials management, eLearning, and compliance monitoring, we help employers streamline their processes and focus on what really matters - identifying and supporting the right person for the job.

Our whitepaper offers practical strategies to address these barriers and create a more inclusive, transparent, and effective hiring environment. If you’re ready to challenge outdated norms and build a workforce based on skill and potential, this resource is your blueprint.

Download the whitepaper and contact WorkPro today to take the first step toward smarter, more inclusive hiring.