Yuliya Klymenko: MCCSA Skilled Migrant Stories

ORIGINALLY FROM: Ukraine

CAREER: Interior designer

My name is Yuliya Klymenko, and I’d like to share my journey with you. I’m originally from Lviv, Ukraine, and my family and I now live in Adelaide. Our move to Australia was not planned; it was shaped by the unexpected outbreak of war in our home country.

Before the conflict began, my family and I had a comfortable life. We had bought an old house on the outskirts of Lviv and were in the process of renovating it. My husband worked in logistics, I was a selfemployed interior designer, and our children were attending school. My son was also actively involved in judo.

When the war erupted, I had to make the difficult decision to leave Ukraine with our children and seek safety. We found refuge in Adelaide, thanks to my cousin Pavlo Smoliy, who organized our stay and connected us with a host family Nicky and Kevin Irons.

Their support was invaluable in helping us adjust to our new life.

Just three weeks after arriving in Australia, I secured a job at a 3D visualization company, Eagle Vision, where my skills and qualifications were a perfect match for the role. This opportunity allowed me to continue working in my field and provided a sense of normalcy.

My husband joined us nine months later, which was a challenging period for us, but his arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter. Our life began to stabilize, and our children resumed their activities such as swimming, dance classes, soccer, tennis. My son continued with judo, achieving a notable level and earning several gold medals.

To provide for our family and ensure our children had ability to have an active life, my husband worked hard. He juggled two jobs: a full- time position as a warehouse supervisor and a part-time role in a kitchen. We also managed to buy a car, and to get another one on lease which enabled us to explore Australia and made our life easier.

With the help of Tania Jarema-Norton, I held my first art auction and exhibition, which was successful. My paintings, featuring portraits of Ukrainian women, symbolize the resilience and struggles faced by mothers and women over the past two and a half years.

Currently, our biggest challenge is the visa situation. I had planned to apply for a skilled visa as an interior designer, having passed the English test and completed my skills assessment. However, the government removed my occupation from the skilled migration list, preventing me from applying. Despite the difficulties, we remain hopeful and determined to build a bright future here in Australia.