Employment experiences research
RESEARCH: The Employment Experiences of Highly Skilled Polish Female Migrants in Australia
You are invited to participate in a research project conducted by researchers from Torrens University Australia (TUA). The ethical aspects of this study have been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of Torrens University, reference number 0197.
About the project:
This research explores the lived experiences of highly skilled female migrants (HSFM) of Polish origins, whose first language is not English. It focuses on how they source, secure, and sustain employment in Australia, with particular attention to their migration motivations, career paths, and the factors, skills, or practices that support or impede their integration into the Australian workplace and society.
Eligibility:
Eligible participants must be females, of Polish origin, have migrated to Australia with an overseas university degree, have lived in the country for at least three (3) years, and have a first language other than English. This survey forms part of Phase III of a research project conducted on a Polish diaspora.
Research Aim:
The findings aim to inform skilled migration policy, guide employers and migrant services, and assist migrants themselves in better understanding and navigating workforce entry and career transition. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to more effective policies and practices that support long-term and successful employment outcomes for highly skilled individuals.
Participation in this research is voluntary and anonymous. The survey includes a set of quick and straightforward multiple-choice questions (dropdown, rating, or scale) marked with a red asterisk (*) to indicate required responses, as well as optional open-ended questions labelled as "optional response" that participants may choose to skip. Please note that there are no financial incentives offered for participation in this research. This survey is only available in an online format and no financial incentives are offered for completion. Due to the anonymous nature, it will not be possible to withdraw your responses from the survey. Completion of the survey will be taken as your implied consent to participate. All data collected will be securely stored on TUA's systems and managed in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
Thank you in advance for your contributions and time.
If you have questions or would like a copy of the final research publication, please contact: Dominika Ohana at Torrens University Australia: dominika.ohana@torrens.edu.au.
If you would prefer to contact someone independent of the research project, please email TUA’s Human Research Ethics Manager at ethics@torrens.edu.au.
About the researcher
Dominika Ohana
Senior Lecturer – Business Faculty
Researcher – Centre for Organisational Change and Agility (COCA)
dominika.ohana@torrens.edu.au
Currently, I work as a Senior Lecturer at the Business Faculty of Torrens University in Australia, where I manage and oversee the delivery of industry-facing subjects in the area of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Drawing on many years of experience in leadership roles across both industry and academia in Australia and Europe, I provide students and migrants with authentic insights and prepare them for success in local labour markets.
I also serve as the Head of the "Education & Research" section within the Polish Australian Chamber of Commerce, which brings together Polish-origin academics, educators and professionals across Australia and Poland. I have also been appointed to the Scientific and Research Advisory Council at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney.
I hold degrees in socio-economic geography (Jagiellonian University), management (Australia), and an MBA (UK). My research interests focus on the intersections of business, employment, and migration, particularly:
- Employment of migrants, especially highly skilled individuals
- Integration, entrepreneurship, continuing education
- The development of soft skills/employability skills
I place particular emphasis on Polish and European migrants in Australia, exploring their migration trajectories and labour market adaptation. I employ a mixed methods research approach, which allows for a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of these issues.
