Work in Progress is an Australia Explained series exploring how skilled migrants are starting new careers in some of Australia’s most in-demand sectors—including early childhood education, engineering, nursing, information and communication technology, aged care and construction.
Hosted by Francesca Valdinoci, 'Work In Progress' series shares inspiring real-life stories, expert advice, and practical tips to help migrants navigate the challenges of finding meaningful work and growing their careers in a new country.
Francesca knows these struggles firsthand. When she first moved to Australia, she assumed finding a job would be easy. After sending out countless resumes with little response, she eventually accepted her only option at the time—working as a barista, despite having no experience. “I’m Italian, how hard could it be?” she recalls. “Well, let me tell you—it was tough!”
Her experience mirrors that of many skilled migrants who arrive in Australia only to discover that breaking into the job market can be far harder than expected.
That’s where Work in Progress steps in. Through powerful storytelling, the podcast highlights the resilience of migrants who pushed through setbacks, found their voice, and rebuilt their lives—all while helping others do the same.
Whether you’re starting fresh in Australia or supporting someone who is, this podcast offers a mix of inspiration and practical guidance for anyone navigating the complex world of work.
Now, let’s get to work.
Disclaimer: This podcast presents individual examples of a migrant’s journey into the six different industries. The information provided is accurate at the time of publishing but may change over time. Individuals interested in working in these industries in Australia should seek tailored advice from official sources, mentioned in each episode.
About the production
SBS understands and celebrates linguistic diversity. Each episode has been translated in 6 languages, chosen to match the culturally and linguistically diverse audience aligned to the specific industry. They include Mandarin, Cantonese, Filipino, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Arabic, Tamil, Korean and Malayalam. These language versions can be accessed using the language drop down menu on each episode.
Producer and host - Francesca Valdinoci
Sound design - Maram Ismail
Managing Editor - Roza Germian
